Fahd bin Abdulmohsen Al-Rasheed, an advisor at the General Secretariat of the Cabinet and a board member of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, has highlighted the significant position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the global platform. Al-Rasheed, who is also leading the Saudi delegation in the Urban 20 (U20) engagement group, emphasized the country's influential role in international affairs, particularly at the G20 Summit and various engagement group summits.
In a recent statement, Advisor Fahd highlighted the Kingdom's remarkable efforts in taking on a leadership role in tackling global shared challenges. Through the introduction of groundbreaking initiatives like the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives, as well as the Riyadh Sustainability Strategy, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its commitment to addressing pressing environmental concerns.
In discussing the pivotal function of engagement groups, he emphasized their purpose in effectively channeling the perspectives of diverse societal factions to the esteemed leaders of G20 nations. Saudi Arabia is actively engaged in these groups, working together with other nations to showcase the Kingdom's pioneering experiences derived from Saudi Vision 2030 in diverse sectors.
The U20 engagement group, operating within the larger framework of the G20, assumes the crucial role of amplifying the voices of cities. Its primary objective is to facilitate discussions surrounding a wide range of urban priorities, issues, and challenges. By doing so, the U20 engagement group endeavors to ensure that these concerns are duly considered and incorporated into the overarching agenda of the G20 leaders.
In discussing the significance of the U20 group, it is worth highlighting the fact that urban areas are now home to approximately half of the world's population. Moreover, experts predict that the global population will experience a staggering increase of nearly 70% by the year 2050. In this context, cities are poised to play a pivotal role as key engines of the global economy, accounting for a remarkable 80% of the global gross domestic product (GDP). The highly anticipated U20 Summit took place in the bustling city of Ahmedabad, India, during the month of July. This prestigious event brought together an impressive gathering of mayors and leaders hailing from the esteemed G20 cities, alongside notable representatives from carefully selected cities across the globe.
During the highly anticipated summit, a total of six key priorities pertaining to urban affairs were identified by the participants. In a bid to address pressing global challenges, a comprehensive agenda has been put forth. This agenda encompasses six key areas that aim to foster a sustainable and resilient future for our cities. These areas include: (1) promoting environmentally responsible behaviors; (2) safeguarding water security; (3) expediting climate finance; (4) advocating for local identity; (5) revolutionizing frameworks for urban governance; and (6) strategizing and propelling digital urban futures. By focusing on these crucial aspects, it is hoped that cities worldwide can pave the way towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.
During the summit, the Saudi delegation made it clear that the Kingdom is fully dedicated to addressing common urban issues and playing a significant role in tackling global challenges. Leaders from multiple cities who were present at the summit have expressed their admiration for Saudi Arabia's swift progress in the realms of urban development and environmental initiatives.
The Kingdom's major urban projects, including NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Project, have garnered commendation from various sources. Additionally, the Kingdom's environmentally-focused initiatives, such as the Saudi and Middle East Green Initiatives and the Green Riyadh Project, have also received praise. In addition, the spotlight was also cast on various transportation initiatives, notably the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project. In a momentous gathering, the U20 Group convened for its inaugural meeting in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires in 2018. Under the leadership of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the G20 group took significant strides during the Kingdom's presidency in 2020. The group, which consists of the world's major economies, made crucial decisions to enhance its organizational framework and effectively outline its priorities. Additionally, collaborative working groups were established to ensure that statements issued by the G20 accurately reflected the shared priorities of all participating cities.
The Kingdom has been instrumental in shaping the working mechanisms and methodology of the group since its establishment. This has resulted in improved cooperation among cities, particularly during its presidency year, as they strive to communicate their priorities to G20 leaders.
