NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia presented its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the 2026 United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York.
Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim highlighted the report’s key findings, outlining Saudi Arabia’s progress in implementing the UN’s 2030 Agenda, as well as the lessons learned and priorities for the next phase.
The report builds on the Kingdom’s previous voluntary reviews submitted in 2018 and 2023 and reflects contributions from more than 140 government entities, private-sector organizations, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and the United Nations system.
Alibrahim said the third review demonstrates how Vision 2030 has driven a transformative shift in national development, delivering measurable achievements that support the Sustainable Development Goals.
He noted that the report captures the progress made since the Kingdom’s 2023 review while identifying lessons learned, ongoing initiatives, and a new phase focused on setting priorities, improving implementation efficiency, and maximizing impact.
The report outlines Saudi Arabia’s priorities for the coming years, including strengthening prevention of non-communicable diseases, improving groundwater sustainability, accelerating renewable energy projects, expanding financial inclusion, enhancing biosecurity and national vaccine capabilities, and further developing data systems to support more effective policymaking.
It also highlights how Vision 2030 has aligned the global Sustainable Development Goals with a national implementation model through the National Sustainable Development Plan, which organizes more than 90 development priorities across nine integrated missions focused on delivering measurable outcomes for people, the economy, and the environment.
The review showcases progress in key areas, including water security, renewable energy, healthcare access, women’s participation in the economy, digital government, urban development, industrial growth, and inclusive economic development.
Source: Saudi Gazette