UAE spurs progress of ‘UN sustainable goals’

NEW YORK / WAM

The UAE has outlined opportunities for faster progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by hosting a series of events on gender, children, sustainable energy, and happiness as part of the high-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) from July 17-20. The forum is the main review platform for the SDGs, the landmark set of quantitative and qualitative goals for social, environmental, and economic development by 2030.
Led by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation, and Abdullah Lootah, Director-General of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA), the UAE delegation announced that it would present the UAE’s national review of the domestic and international implementation of SDGs at next year’s forum.
“The SDGs are a top national priority for the UAE, aligned with Vision 2021, our other development frameworks, and our new foreign assistance policy,” said Lootah, who also chairs the UAE’s new National Committee on the SDGs. “Based on our national experience, we also see many opportunities to accelerate global SDG implementation through targeted investment in gender equality, youth, and low-cost, low-carbon sustainability solutions like renewable energy. Our focus at the HLPF has been to build consensus around collective action and the evidence base in these areas.”
The UAE’s national statement was delivered by Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, and detailed options for the UN to consider in its support to member states. She particularly emphasised the impact of budget allocations to education and health for advancing gender equality, as well as the financing benefits of reducing risks for private sector investment through stronger government institutions.