The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) has announced the publication of the city’s first Voluntary Local Review (VLR) on the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) platform. This milestone makes Riyadh the first Saudi city to officially join the global network of urban centers that review their development performance and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level.

This step is in line with the directives of Saudi Arabia’s leadership to highlight the role of cities and regions in localizing the SDGs. It also aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to build more sustainable and prosperous cities.

The report reflects the significant progress Riyadh has made in vital areas, including health, education, transport, and quality of life. The rate of traffic accident fatalities decreased from 15 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019 to 5.2 in 2022. The use of traffic camera systems increased by 320%, and 12.3 million trucks were inspected at weighing stations. Additionally, three new 911 security operations centers have been established. In the health sector, the city now has 45 hospitals and 136 primary healthcare centers across 207 neighborhoods, ensuring a large portion of the population can access health services within 30 minutes.

The percentage of residents living within 300 meters of public spaces rose from 28% in 2019 to 35% in 2022, while the figure for youth increased from 3.8% to 15%. In terms of urban security, the city recorded an average of 1.05 crimes per 100,000 people, which is one of the lowest rates globally, for comparison, Paris has 2 and New York has 5. The rate of violent crime also dropped to 99 crimes per 100,000 people.

The report was prepared in partnership with over 46 government, private, and non-profit entities. This collaborative methodology highlights the city’s robust governance model and confirms its ability to align local priorities with global development trends.

This achievement reflects Riyadh’s growing status as an attractive global destination for living, working, and investing, thanks to its advanced urban environment and its economic, social, and cultural components. The inclusion of the report in the UN’s Voluntary City Reviews is a qualitative step that strengthens Riyadh’s presence on the international map, opening up broader prospects for building international partnerships, exchanging expertise, and expanding the Saudi Arabia’s developmental influence both locally and globally.