Saudi Arabia has told the United Nations that investing in human capital and localizing knowledge are the foundations of sustainable industrialization as the Kingdom highlighted the achievements of Vision 2030 during a high-level session on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The remarks came during the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at UN Headquarters in New York, where member states are reviewing progress toward the 2030 Agenda. Saudi Arabia used the forum to outline reforms aimed at strengthening innovation, infrastructure and industrial competitiveness under Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9).
Speaking on behalf of the Kingdom, Saad bin Abdul Ghani Al Ghamdi, Deputy Minister for Planning and Development at the Ministry of Education, said sustainable industrial development begins with investing in people.
“Pioneering and the sustainability of industrialization are based on investment in human capital and localizing knowledge as the basic engine for increasing productivity and competitiveness in order to face increasing international challenges,” Al Ghamdi said.
He noted that Saudi Arabia has pursued major reforms through Vision 2030, the national transformation program launched in 2016 to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil.
Vision 2030 drives innovation and digital transformation
Al Ghamdi said Saudi universities are now ranked among the world’s leading institutions in artificial intelligence and that Saudi students continue to perform strongly in international competitions.
He added that these investments have produced measurable results across several sectors.
“This is our effort to invest in human capital, and this has led us to achieve many advances, particularly in electronic governance, in which we are ranked 10th worldwide,” he said.
Saudi Arabia has steadily expanded digital government services under Vision 2030. According to the United Nations E Government Survey, the Kingdom has climbed significantly in global digital governance rankings in recent years through investments in technology, public services and digital infrastructure.
Al Ghamdi also said the government has introduced several voluntary reporting mechanisms, including sustainability reports for the education sector, to strengthen transparency and prepare institutions for future economic and technological demands.
The presentation took place during the forum’s session titled “SDG 9 and interlinkages with other SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure.”
UN highlights need for stronger global cooperation
The High Level Political Forum is the United Nations’ main platform for monitoring progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015.
This year’s meeting runs from July 7 to July 15 under the Economic and Social Council. Delegates are conducting detailed reviews of SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, and SDG 17 on global partnerships.
Thirty six member states, including Saudi Arabia, are also presenting Voluntary National Reviews that outline progress and remaining challenges.
UN organizers describe SDG 9 as the “production engine” of the 2030 Agenda because it supports economic growth, poverty reduction, climate action and job creation through resilient infrastructure, industrial development and innovation.
However, the UN warned that global progress remains uneven with fewer than four years left to meet the 2030 deadline.
While investment in research, development and information technology continues to grow, many countries still face shortages in transport, energy and digital infrastructure. Limited financing for small and medium sized enterprises also remains a major obstacle to sustainable industrial growth.
The UN has called for stronger international cooperation, increased investment, integrated policy planning and greater support for developing countries to accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
