National Report 2022
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently at an important moment in its history. As we set out to position ourselves as a country of the future, we are undergoing an ambitious process of transformation and modernization. This is being driven by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Framework, which sets out important aspirations for the country and underscores major reforms in the public sector, the economy and society as a whole. Among others, it seeks to diversify the economy, expand the cultural and entertainment sector, create new opportunities for women and youth and improve the quality of life for all. To achieve this, of course, will be no easy task.
With nearly 85 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population living in urban areas, Saudi cities have an important role to play in realizing this transformation. To achieve this, however, requires a shift from the business-as-usual approach to planning and managing cities that has become so prevalent around the world, towards more bold and innovative solutions that enable us to break free from these traditional models. While acknowledging that this transformation is a journey and not a destination, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia views the New Urban Agenda as an important roadmap to transform its cities into more desirable and productive places to live and work. This includes promoting density and mixed-use, fostering innovative housing solutions, encouraging multimodal transportation options and building and activating public spaces to create a more vibrant and inclusive environment for all.
This report, which represents the Kingdom’s submission to the United Nations Habitat III process, takes stock of the many success stories that have taken place throughout the Kingdom over the past 5 years and displays the progress that has been achieved on our path to build a more prosperous, vibrant and sustainable nation. It also distills its urban development experiences for other countries that may be facing similar obstacles on their path towards building more sustainable cities. Like the Kingdom’s ambitious urban transformation, this report is not the result of one actor alone, but instead the contribution of many governmental and non-governmental stakeholders that are committed towards making the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a better place to live, work and enjoy themselves. I am therefore pleased to share the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Report on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda with the rest of the world.
