DUBAI, (Pakistan Point News - 03rd Sep, 2018) The UAE’s National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals,SDGs,, which includes 17 federal entities, recently held its third meeting for 2018, primarily discussing preparations for the upcoming second edition of the UN World Data Forum, set to be held in Dubai on October 22-24, 2018.
The meeting was attended by Hessa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, and Jameela Al Muheiri, Minister of State for Public education, both of whom applauded the Committee for its efforts and preparations for the Forum, stressing the necessity of ensuring governance when implementing SDGs and of harmonising efforts among Committee members, as per the directives of the UAE’s leadership. They reiterated their support for the member entities’ efforts to provide the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority,FCSA, with accurate and current data.
"This Committee was formed in 2017, and in its one year and eight months of existence, it has registered outstanding achievements," said Buhumaid, expressing her delight at the fact that the representatives of the 17 member entities are young Emiratis with great enthusiasm to serve their country.
For her part, Al Muheiri said: "We all work together to promote our country and continuously enhance its international standing in terms of sustainable development, and the UN World Data Forum presents an ideal platform to showcase our national achievements. The UAE has progressed from 77th place to 60th on the SDG Index; this is testament to the exceptional leadership of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals 2030."
Thanking the ministers for their attendance and contribution to the meeting, Abdullah Nasser Lootah, FCSA Director General and Chairman of the Organising Committee of the UN World Data Forum 2018, said: "Our work with the member entities of the Committee centres around the National Agenda’s metrics, which, in turn, offer the necessary support to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Furthermore, we concentrate on data and statistics, which are essential for driving success at the Government level till 2021 and beyond."
The 17 Committee members were thoroughly introduced to the upcoming UN World Data Forum (www.unwdf.ae) set to be held in the UAE under the theme "Better Data for Better Generations". The event will be hosting more than 80 sessions that feature over 100 speakers from all around the world.
The team organising the Forum reiterated its potential as a platform for forging international partnerships and closer relations with the private sector – a key step for implementing SDGs. The meeting then moved on to a case study on DP World and its progress in achieving SDGs locally, regionally and internationally.
On the same note, the team outlined the progress made with regards to the Global Leadership Councils for SDGs initiative, announced at the World Government Summit, where work is underway to expand these Councils.
