On 25 September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 sustainable development plan together with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as a framework comprising 17 SDGs and 169 targets. According to the 2030 International Agenda, these goals aim to eliminate poverty, protect the planet, ensure human security, and welfare and wellbeing by 2030.
What distinguishes this agenda from others is the agreement of all the 193 Member States of the United Nations including hundreds of stakeholders on a single long-term vision for our collective future. The SDGs are deemed interconnected. We can say that they serve as a comprehensive road map and an ambitious agenda that requires transformative policies and investments and everybody’s engagement in implementation.
As is evident, the SDGs require practical cooperation and close collaboration with all partners in public and private sectors as well as the community in order to make the right choices that improve the quality of life for next generations in sustainable manner and provide countries with clear principles and objectives which fit their priorities and national agendas, whilst highlighting the environmental challenges that confront the world as a whole.
UAE’s National development and priorities and SDGs
National Agenda and SDGs
There exists significant interrelation between the UAE National Agenda - centered around 6 priorities, 52 National Key Performance Indicators (NKPI) and 365 sub-NKPIs - and SDGs and the 169 targets and 230 indicators thereof.
The table below shows the mapping process of SDGs carried out by the members of the UAE’s National Committee on SDGs.
The mapping process of the 17 SDGs can be considered as pillars of the National Agenda.
Mapping of SDGs to UAE’s National Agenda
SDGs |
National Priorities |
SDG 2: Zero hunger | World class healthcare system |
SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing |
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation |
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and Communities |
SDG 13: Climate Action |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions |
SDG 1: No poverty | High-level Education System |
SDG 4: Quality Education |
SDG 5: Gender Equality | Sustainable environment and infrastructure |
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation |
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure |
SDG 11: Sustainable cities and Communities |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production |
SDG 13: Climate Action |
SDG 15: life on land |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals |
All the 17 SDGs | Innovation-based Competitive Knowledge Economy |
SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing | Cohesive Society & Preserved Identity |
SDG 5: Gender Equality |
SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing | Safe Community and Fair Judiciary |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions |
National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The UAE’s National Committee on SDGs has been formed by Cabinet’s Decree in January 2017. HE Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation serves as chairwoman of the Committee, while the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority serves as the vice president and secretary thereof. The Committee’s membership includes the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs & the Future, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation and other 15 federal government entities. All of them are responsible for implementation of the SDGs at (a) national level, monitoring of the progress achieved in such SDGs, engagement of stakeholders and submission of periodic reports on the country’s achievements.
Youth Advisory Council for the SDGs
The youths play an important role in the community development and achievement of SDGs. For this reason, the Youth Advisory Council for the SDGs has been formed as part of the strategy of the General Secretariat of the National Committee on SDGs and in line with the United Nations' Youth strategy “Youth 2030: working with and for young people” that aims to strengthen the UN’s capacities for engaging youth and taking advantage of the benefits offered by their ideas and innovations in the service of sustainability and humanity.
In October 2018, the launch of the Council was announced during the 2018 UN World Data Forum. The establishment of the Council was announced by each of HE Shamma bint Suhail Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Youth Affairs, HE Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and HE Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Director General of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and Vice-Chairman of the National Committee on SDGs.
The launching of the Youth Advisory Council reflects the Government‘s efforts towards supporting (the) Emirati youth and providing them with skills and knowledge necessary for them to face challenges of the UAE future. It is also a forum where young people meet to share views on issues related to SDGs.
Youth Advisory Council for the SDGs includes members from UAE and non-UAE young citizens within the age range of 15 – 35 years, taking into consideration gender equality. The objective of the Youth Advisory Council is to enable youth to meet, discuss solutions proposed to overcome SDGs challenges in UAE and devise solutions that can shape the country’s national policies.
Private Sector Advisory Council for the SDGs
The UAE’s National Committee on SDGs launched the Advisory Council composed of the representatives of private entities and organizations. It constitutes the frame for a regular dialogue between the private sector and the National Committee on SDGs regarding such goals.
The objective of the Council is to promote and strengthen ties between private sector(s) and (the) UAE government for partnership and collaboration to achieve the SDGs, by providing the National Committee with strategic advice on improvement and development of policies in support of SDGs, and through collaboration to determine the best forms of engagement in areas of common interest and discuss the practical solutions to achieve SDGs.
Private Sector Advisory Council consists of representatives of 12 global leaders in several vital sectors, including commerce, consultancy, aviation, transport, etc.
