The United Nations in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is undergoing dynamic transformation under Vision 2030 which sets out an ambitious economic development roadmap that seeks to diversify the kingdom’s economy.
Photo: © credit: UN in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia joined the United Nations as a Charter Member on 26 June 1945. His Majesty King Faisal signed the Charter as a Founding Member at a ceremony held in San Francisco. The Kingdom has been a major contributor to the UN's Development Assistance since the 1950s.

There are currently 23 UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes working with Saudi Arabia, including regional offices. The UN agencies plan and work together, as part of the UN Development System lead by the Resident Coordinator, to ensure the delivery of tangible results in support of Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Programme, and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015. 

The partnership between the UN and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is outlined through a five-year agreement, the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which is rooted in the Reform of the United Nations (UN) development system. The UN Country Team has identified four strategic priority areas that draw from the UN's 2030 Agenda, it's 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the 5Ps: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership.

 

The 4 Strategic Priorities of the UNSDCF

People

According to the principles of ‘Leave No One Behind’ (LNOB), ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity, equity, and equality in a healthy environment (SDGs 1–5)

Planet

Protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably manage its natural resources, and take urgent action on climate change (SDGs 6, 12–15)

Prosperity

Ensure that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives (SDGs 7–11)

Peace, Partnership and Other Cross Cutting Issues

Foster peaceful, just, and inclusive societies and mobilize the means required for implementation (SDGs 16–17)

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The Sustainable Development Goals in Saudi Arabia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Saudi Arabia: