Saudi Arabia’s Alibrahim: Decade of ‘honest self-assessment’ turned Vision 2030 into measurable SDG progress
NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s Economy and Planning Minister Faisal F. Alibrahim presented the Kingdom’s third Voluntary National Review on the Sustainable Development Goals at the UN High-Level Political Forum on Monday, framing Vision 2030 as the vehicle that has translated the global 2030 Agenda into measurable progress over the past decade.
Alibrahim told delegates that Saudi Arabia stood “at an important crossroads” a decade ago, faced with a choice between a familiar economic model that had “delivered for decades” or a bolder path of reform.
“That path was Saudi Vision 2030,” he said, describing the review as “the raw story” of a journey that began with “honest self-assessment” and has now entered a phase focused on prioritization, efficient delivery and higher impact.
Alibrahim said the Kingdom’s traditional economic model had built infrastructure, expanded services and given Saudi Arabia “a central role in the global economy.” But acknowledged that the economy remained heavily dependent on oil and public spending even as a young, growing population sought broader opportunities.
