Riyadh: The Ministry of Economy and Planning has launched the preparatory work for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) for 2026 by holding the first workshop dedicated to engaging government entities concerned with the Sustainable Development Agenda. This marks the beginning of a series of workshops and national meetings to be held in the near future, with the participation of more than 250 public, private, and non-profit sector entities, as well as United Nations Country Teams based in the Kingdom.
According to Saudi Press Agency, this workshop marks the official commencement of the preparation process for the Third Voluntary National Review, which the Kingdom will present at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in 2026. The VNR is the primary mechanism for countries to assess and showcase their progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants discussed the Kingdom's efforts and progress presented in previous reviews in 2018 and 2023, which highlighted the ambitious transformation taking place under Saudi Vision 2030. The session also outlined the general framework of the 2026 report, discussed the work plan and coordination mechanisms among relevant entities, and presented the methodology for preparing the report, which will document success stories and best practices in achieving the SDGs.
The VNR serves as a crucial mechanism for fostering collaboration and partnerships at both the national and international levels. By engaging all sectors in tracking progress and achievements, it facilitates the exchange of knowledge and best practices between countries and institutions, enhancing the quality of development policies while supporting the implementation of sustainable development initiatives across various sectors.