The UAE National Committee on SDGs held the first meeting of 2024, as part of the “SDGs in Action Forum” at the World Government Summit, held recently in Dubai.
Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, Vice Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, emphasised the importance of collaboration between all government bodies, and intensifying national efforts to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), and work to support partnerships to target the UAE sustainable development agenda.
The meeting was chaired by Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), who holds the role of the secretariat of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals. Ahli appreciated the efforts of the committee members in activating various national and international projects and initiatives, which contribute to a positive impact and building a sustainable future for the next generations.
Stressing the UAE’s leadership role in the field of sustainable development at the global level, Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, Vice Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, said,
“The committee meeting serves as a testament to the UAE's unwavering commitment to guiding sustainable development towards a more expansive horizon. Additionally, it underscores a profound understanding of the essential role of teamwork and close collaboration between the government and private sectors, not only in shaping strategies but also in executing them effectively”.
Lootah confirmed that the UAE contribution to achieving the desired progress aims to ensure that no one is left behind, through achieving sustainability at various sectors and cooperation with societies is essential to achieve the 2030 goals.
The “SDGs in Action Forum” engagements at the World Government Summit 2024 were presented during the meeting; which includes the representation of ministers, UN officials, decision makers and representatives of prominent international organisations from all over the world in 13 sessions, and more than 300 participants. The Committee also, adopted the UAE National Data Action Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to measure the progress made in data analysis at the national level and ensure its accuracy.
Ahli said,
“Recent data shows that progress towards the sustainable development goals is at the midway point and remains incomplete. Countries must intensify their efforts to enhance the availability of data concerning the 17 sustainable development goals, which aim to secure a better and more sustainable future for all. These goals are designed to tackle the global challenges confronting us.”
The FCSC Managing Director added,
“The availability of data on SDGs in Arab countries shows continuous improvement, with a notable 6 percent increase recorded between 2020 and 2023. According to data provided by the ESCWA organisation, which has established a network of specialised technical teams to monitor completed data periodically and track achievements in real-time, there has been a significant advancement. It is noteworthy that the UAE has made remarkable strides in achieving sustainable development goals, reaching a rate of 42 percent, far surpassing the regional average performance of 14 percent, as reported by the Arab SDG Monitor by ESCWA”.
Mohammed Hassan, Executive Director of the Statistics and Data Science Sector at FCSC, emphasised the importance of the statistics and data sector in knowledge exchange, which contributes to an important economic role equivalent to oil. This shift is attributed to the utilisation of technologies like artificial intelligence and digital technology, which significantly contribute to shaping future economies. The data revolution is seen as instrumental in realising strategic goals and fostering comprehensive sustainable development plans at local, regional, and global scales.
He further stressed that big data serves as the fundamental cornerstone for maximising the potential of artificial intelligence. It plays a crucial role in empowering this cutting-edge technology to fulfill one of its most critical functions: forecasting. This process proves invaluable in data-driven strategic planning initiatives.
It’s worth noting that the National Committee on SDGs was established to execute the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals at the national level. Its objectives include aligning the UAE's priorities with those of the United Nations, as well as facilitating the exchange of experiences among local and international stakeholders and partners. This aims to broaden the pool of active participants in implementing the United Nations' agenda for SDGs.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
