By Tariq Alhamad, Deputy Minister for International Affairs, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development

With five years remaining to achieve the SDGs, the global conversation is shifting from ambition to accountability. Progress is being measured not only in commitments but in tangible outcomes.

In this context, Saudi Arabia is focused on implementation. Through Vision 2030, its national strategy to diversify the economy and drive long-term reform, the Kingdom is translating the Global Goals into local action. Institutions, policies, and services are being reshaped to improve lives on the ground. Several of the Goals under review this year, including gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), and global partnerships (SDG 17), align with national priorities that are already yielding results.

In line with SDG 5, for example, Saudi Arabia is undertaking one of the most significant transformations in gender equality in the region. What was once an ambition under Vision 2030 has become measurable progress, changing the way women participate in the Kingdom’s economy and society.

In the first quarter of 2025, female workforce participation in Saudi Arabia reached 36.3%, up from just 19.7% in 2018. Female unemployment has also declined, falling to 10.5%. These gains have been accompanied by ongoing reforms to support women in work, including the introduction of equal pay legislation, guaranteeing women the same salary as men for the same role. Maternity leave has been extended to 12 weeks with full pay, and new policies are supporting work-life balance, access to childcare, and flexible working arrangements. Anti-discrimination measures and targeted leadership programmes are also helping more women enter and advance in senior roles across sectors.

Specific initiatives such as the Parallel Training Initiative, designed to prepare women for the labor market, has offered specialized training to more than 122,000 job-seeking women through over 800 training programs.

Through the Human Resources Development Fund, the Qurrah initiative has provided childcare services, supporting more than 40,000 women. The Wusool program has supported over 307,000 women with transportation to their workplaces.

Women now make up over 43% of mid- and senior-level management roles, and are increasingly represented in fields such as technology, finance, public service, and sports. And more women are taking the lead in entrepreneurship, with more than half a million businesses registered in 2023.

These efforts are not just about inclusion; they are about national productivity. By unlocking women’s potential, Saudi Arabia is strengthening its economy, widening its talent pool, and building a more equitable future.

This progress stems from the Kingdom’s broader approach to SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, which is grounded in vital labor market reforms introduced under Vision 2030. These reforms aim to modernize employment frameworks, reduce reliance on low-skilled expatriate labor, increase private sector participation, and equip Saudi nationals, especially young people and women, with the tools to thrive.

One of the key changes has been the Labor Reform Initiative, which enhanced labor mobility by giving expatriate workers greater freedom to change jobs without employer consent and allowed exit and re-entry visas to be managed directly through government platforms. Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has improved transparency, reduced disputes, and aligned the Kingdom more closely with international labor standards.

The Kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has also strengthened worker protections by introducing wage protection measures, expanding channels for dispute resolution, and mandating electronic contracts through the Mudad platform – ensuring that labor rights are traceable and enforceable.

Measures such as the Anti-harassment Law and the Protection and Support Department, which is responsible for resolving complaints and providing protection to affected workers, contribute to fairer work environments and the promotion of decent work.

At the same time, national programs like the Human Capability Development Program and Tamheer (for on-the-job training) are creating structured pathways into employment. As of early 2025, more than 120,000 Saudis have benefited from Tamheer alone, gaining experience across sectors such as technology, healthcare, tourism, and finance.

These efforts have led to significant change to our labor market. Since 2020, over 2.2 million Saudis have joined the private sector workforce, supported by initiatives like Nitaqat and national skilling programs. And youth unemployment has fallen from 34% in 2017 to 26.8% by the end of 2024.

The reality is that none of this can be achieved in isolation, and we continue to prioritize collaboration with partners globally, in alignment with SDG 17 on global partnerships. This was reinforced through Saudi Arabia’s participation at the 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) last month where His Excellency the Minister addressed shared challenges and areas of greater cooperation with key partners.

On the margins of the conference, the Kingdom was proud to renew its cooperation agreement through 2026 with the International Labour Organization (ILO). Under this joint effort, the Kingdom is working with the ILO to strengthen labor market governance, promote decent work for all, and ensure international labor standards are integrated into national reforms. The agreement includes focused efforts on occupational health and safety, fair recruitment, skills development, and labor inspections – core priorities under both Vision 2030 and the SDGs.

In addition, the second edition of the Global Labor Market Conference in Riyadh witnessed the launch of the Global Labor Market Academy in partnership with the World Bank, which aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building, particularly for middle-income countries (MICs) and low-income countries (LICs) that need it most.

The Kingdom’s journey toward Vision 2030 is not only about national transformation. It is about contributing meaningfully to a global future – one that is more equitable and sustainable for all. In embracing the SDGs, we are not simply aligning with a global agenda – we are helping shape its success.