The UAE delegation to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2024, which concluded in New York, presented the country’s successful model for building partnerships, exchanging knowledge, and driving sustainable development beyond the 2030 Agenda.

In the country statement concluding the UAE delegation’s participation in the forum at the UN Headquarters, His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange, and Chair of the National Committee on SDGs, said the country is committed to supporting the SDGs through partnerships, knowledge exchange, and collaborating on joint projects.

H.E. Lootah said: “The UAE will continue with its approach to partnership and cooperation for the good of societies by aligning the foreign aid strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2022, the UAE provided more than US$3.4 billion in foreign aid, 83% of which was development aid.

"The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives invested about AED1.8 billion, positively impacting the lives of more than 100 million beneficiaries. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development invested around US$60 billion in more than 100 countries, and the Emirates Red Crescent provided 54 percent of its total funding as global development aid.”

H.E. added: "The UAE continues to work with governments around the world to enhance their capabilities. Since the launch of the Government Experience Exchange Program (GEEP), agreements with more than 35 countries have been reached, over 367 initiatives have been implemented, and more than 3.2 million government employees have been trained."

During a session focused on SDG 6, which addressed clean water and sanitation, H.E. Lootah stressed the importance of strengthening global efforts on climate action.

H.E. highlighted the UAE’s commitment along with other countries to accelerating SDGs, saying: “At COP28, the world united around the UAE Consensus, which is the most ambitious and comprehensive agreement since the Paris Agreement.

"The COP28 Presidency also launched the COP Presidencies Troika, which aims to unify efforts up to the 30th edition.”

H.E. Lootah called on international organizations and governments to join the UAE in shaping the future of SDGs beyond 2030 and up to 2045, citing the first of its kind report published by the UAE issued at the forum, which explores a global pathway to driving sustainable development beyond 2030, coined as xDGs 2045.

He said: “We call on everyone to join us in renewing our commitment to the development agenda for the next two decades, and creating an integrated ecosystem that anticipates the future, based on international cooperation. This cooperation forms the basis of the framework for the xDGs 2045, which the UAE is helping to conceptualize and develop to build a better future for the next generations.”

The UAE delegation concluded its participation in the UN HLPF 2024, which ran until 17th July. Around 1,000 officials, experts, and specialists from around the world took part under the theme “Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions.”

The Forum conducted in-depth reviews on several SDGs: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).