The UAE has announced the launch of the 2025 edition of the 2045 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report. The announcement was made during the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development 2025, held at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York City.

The HLPF is organised by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and serves as the UN’s central platform for reviewing progress on SDGs.

Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on SDGs, welcomed high-level attendees to the launch event.

Dignitaries present included:

• Savanna Maziya, Minister of ICT, Kingdom of Eswatini
• Victor Verdon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paraguay
• Seema Sami Iskander Bahouth, Executive Director, UN Women
• Eliot Minchenberg, Director, UNESCO Office for Communication in New York
• Benjiran Herani Tajuddin, Permanent Representative of Brunei Darussalam to the UN
• Tsvai Yelma Sabo, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN

Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, UAE Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered the opening speech.

The report, created by the National Committee on SDGs 2025, is based on the outcomes of the ministerial session held at the World Government Summit (WGS) 2025. It also includes insights from the 2045 SDG roundtable at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025 and the UAE-led 2045 SDG Global Survey.

The report is titled “Envisioning 2045: Comprehensive Pathways towards Sustainable Development.” It outlines five key priorities:

• Redefining SDGs for 2045
• Future-proofing societies and economies
• Enhancing global leadership cooperation
• Accelerating development transformation
• Establishing global commitment to future goals

The UAE delegation presented survey findings from 55 countries across diverse age groups and academic fields. The results showed that 94.7% of respondents supported expanding the definition of progress beyond economic indicators. Also, 85.4% agreed that citizen involvement boosts SDG success, and 70% supported cross-sector collaboration in sustainable development.

The report stresses the importance of AI, circular economies, and responsible innovation. It calls for embedding foresight in policy and involving youth, women, and vulnerable groups in shaping future goals.

The report also reflects on the SDGs in Action initiative, launched in 2016 at WGS in Dubai, as a vital platform for advancing global dialogue.

At the HLPF, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to five focus SDGs for 2025: SDG3 (health), SDG5 (gender equality), SDG8 (economic growth), SDG14 (life below water), and SDG17 (partnerships). These efforts revolve around innovation, partnerships, and strategic insight.

Abdulla Nasser Lootah described the report as a critical milestone in global sustainable development. He said it builds on evidence and practical solutions and seeks to define a forward-looking SDG framework.

He stated, “This report reflects the UAE’s approach – anticipating challenges, strengthening global partnerships, and designing innovative solutions grounded in research, data, and evidence.”

Lootah revealed that although official UN discussions on post-2030 goals will begin in 2027, the UAE started engaging international leaders in 2023. He highlighted that over 170 global leaders have participated in shaping the 2045 vision through platforms like the SDGs in Action Forum.

The report stands as a strategic contribution to the global development agenda, reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in promoting innovation, foresight, and inclusive progress toward 2045.

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