Saudi Arabia Showcases Urban Development Progress at UN Meeting in New York
New York, July 17, 2026: Saudi Arabia has made strong progress in housing, public transport, green spaces and sustainable city development, Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail said during a United Nations meeting in New York.
The minister delivered Saudi Arabia’s statement at the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on the New Urban Agenda.
He said the Kingdom has created an advanced system for building better and more sustainable cities. Saudi Arabia has moved from making plans and policies to carrying out projects that are producing clear results.
This work is guided by Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to improve housing, public services, city planning, sustainability and quality of life.
Housing and Homeownership Progress
Al-Hogail said Saudi Arabia submitted its updated 2026 National Report to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, also known as UN-Habitat.
The report explains how Saudi cities have changed in recent years. It also shows how the Kingdom has expanded its development projects and achieved real results in communities across the country.
Saudi Arabia’s homeownership rate increased from 47% in 2016 to 66.24% by the end of 2025, the minister said.
The Kingdom is now close to reaching its Saudi Vision 2030 target of 70% homeownership.
More than 25% of Saudi households received housing support services between 2018 and 2025 through government housing programmes.
The amount of public open space available for each person also increased from 5.2 square metres to 6.9 square metres.
The Bahjah Programme created more than 12 million square metres of community spaces. These areas give residents more places to walk, exercise, relax and spend time with their families.
Public Transport Expansion
Saudi Arabia has also expanded its public transport system.
The Riyadh Metro carried more than 100 million passengers during its first nine months of operation, while city bus services carried more than 96.8 million passengers in 2025.
Al-Hogail said these figures show major progress in public transport and urban mobility. Better transport services can make travel easier and improve daily life in cities.
Social and Economic Progress
The minister said Saudi Arabia’s urban transformation also includes social progress.
Women’s participation in the workforce increased from 22.8% to 36%, while employment among people with disabilities more than doubled.
The number of nonprofit organisations in the Kingdom also increased to more than 7,213. This represents growth of more than 341%.
These organisations support local communities and allow more people to take part in the country’s development.
City Management and Sustainability
Al-Hogail said the Kingdom is also improving the way cities are managed.
Saudi Arabia is giving municipalities greater financial independence, connecting urban data systems and including climate risk studies in city planning.
The country is also continuing its work through the Saudi Green Initiative and the National Renewable Energy Programme.
These projects aim to make Saudi cities cleaner, safer and better prepared for climate and environmental challenges.
Partnerships and Investment
The minister said partnerships and investment play an important role in Saudi Arabia’s urban development.
The Kingdom has signed more than 56 agreements with private companies to support infrastructure and municipal service projects.
Saudi Arabia has also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with UN-Habitat and the United Nations Development Programme. The agreement covers the period from 2024 to 2027.
In 2024, the Kingdom issued $9.1 billion in green bonds and sustainable sukuk.
The Public Investment Fund’s Green Finance Framework is expected to receive more than $10 billion in commitments by 2026.
Al-Hogail said Saudi Arabia remains committed to the goals of the New Urban Agenda.
He called for stronger international cooperation and better access to sustainable funding.
The minister said these efforts will help countries build cities that include everyone, protect the environment and offer a better quality of life for future generations.