RIYADH: The Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF) has announced that one of its upcoming events has been selected for inclusion in the official program of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2026), which will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from July 14 to 16 under the auspices of ECOSOC.

The event, titled “Celebrating the Impact of Volunteerism: Youth Leadership in Advancing Climate Action to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals,” will bring together representatives from civil society organizations, academic institutions, international partners, and youth groups to discuss sustainable development initiatives.

SGBF Secretary-General Engineer Faisal Al-Fadl said the event’s inclusion in the official program reflects growing international recognition of the contribution made by Saudi civil society organizations toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening global partnerships.

Al-Fadl noted that the current challenge lies not only in making sustainability commitments but also in transforming those commitments into measurable outcomes. He pointed out that the built environment sector is responsible for approximately 37 percent of global emissions, while rapid urban growth continues to increase demand for water, energy, and material resources.

He added that during its participation before ECOSOC, the Forum will emphasize the importance of shifting from efficiency-focused approaches to sufficiency-based strategies. This approach aims to bridge implementation gaps through improved resource management, conformity assessment systems, and data-driven methods that measure tangible results.

The event will also highlight the role of youth engagement and volunteerism in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, while showcasing the “Sufficiency First” approach and the Saaf® Conformity Assessment System (Saaf® CAS) as practical frameworks for measuring and promoting sustainability outcomes across the Arab region.

As part of its participation in HLPF 2026, the Saudi Green Building Forum will be represented by an official delegation taking part in bilateral meetings, side events, and a specialized exhibition featuring publications, national initiatives, and examples of sustainability best practices.

The Saudi Green Building Forum is a non-governmental organization holding Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC and has a membership of more than 10,000 professionals. Since 2010, its members and partners have contributed to the implementation of over 5,000 green projects, supporting sustainable development while strengthening professional collaboration and knowledge exchange in the fields of sustainability and the built environment.