Dr. Al Rabeeah emphasized the need for urgent action towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, citing slow progress and the impact of crises such as conflicts, including in Sudan and Gaza.
He highlighted Saudi Arabia's integrated approach to addressing humanitarian needs, citing the evacuation from Sudan, $125 million in aid, and efforts like the Jeddah Declaration and the ALPS Group Talks.
Saudi Arabia’s partnerships, including with the UNDP and the UK, focus on combining immediate relief with long-term development, particularly in conflict zones such as Yemen, to build resilience and stability.
New York, September 29, 2024 – Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), took part in a significant side event yesterday titled "The Integrated Approach Among Humanitarian Action, Development, and Peace in New York, Strengthening Cooperation to Deliver on the Promise of the 2030 Agenda." This event was held in conjunction with the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York and was organized by KSrelief, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
During his speech, Dr. Al Rabeeah highlighted the critical nature of the present moment in the global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He pointed out that only 17% progress has been made towards these goals, halfway through the 2030 Agenda timeline, emphasizing the urgent need for accelerated action. He attributed this slow progress to various crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic pressures, food insecurity, natural disasters, and above all, ongoing conflicts. He noted that countries such as Sudan are grappling with hunger, health crises, and the devastating effects of violence and instability, a reality shared by other conflict-affected regions such as Gaza.
Dr. Al Rabeeah stressed the importance of prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable populations to achieve the SDGs. He emphasized the need to focus on building resilience and ensuring sustainability, particularly in conflict zones where access to humanitarian aid remains one of the biggest challenges. He underscored the tragic toll on humanitarian workers, citing that in 2023 alone, over 280 workers lost their lives across 33 countries. He called for a fully integrated approach that combines humanitarian action with development and peacebuilding efforts to foster stronger cooperation, resilience, and stability in fragile communities.
Dr. Al Rabeeah went on to highlight Saudi Arabia's role in addressing urgent humanitarian needs, both through the provision of aid and by tackling the root causes of crises via diplomacy and strategic initiatives. As an example, he referenced the evacuation of more than 8,000 people from Sudan, representing 110 nationalities, as well as Saudi Arabia's financial commitment of over $125 million in humanitarian aid. He also pointed to the Jeddah Declaration, which seeks to protect civilians and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, and the ALPS Group Talks in Switzerland, which have reopened key humanitarian access routes and secured pledges to protect vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.
Regarding the situation in Yemen, Dr. Al Rabeeah highlighted Saudi Arabia’s cooperation with the UNDP on initiatives aimed at livelihood support, solar energy projects, and social cohesion programs. He also mentioned the significant development work undertaken by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY), which focuses on building resilience and ensuring a better future for the Yemeni people. These efforts, he said, are part of a comprehensive strategy to integrate immediate humanitarian relief with long-term development goals in conflict zones.
Dr. Al Rabeeah concluded by emphasizing the importance of partnerships in maximizing the impact of humanitarian efforts. He cited the collaboration between the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the UK in the strategic dialogue on humanitarian aid and development, which serves as a testament to Saudi Arabia's commitment to enhancing collective action, sharing knowledge, and addressing the most pressing global challenges. He called for greater solidarity and cooperation to turn current challenges into opportunities, ultimately making the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for all, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
