The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) group at the United Nations has emphasized the critical need to prioritize full implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, stressing the importance of translating agreed commitments into concrete actions to effectively support developing nations.

The statement was delivered by Faisal Al-Enezi, Deputy Permanent Representative of Kuwait to the UN and Minister Plenipotentiary, on behalf of the GCC group during Monday evening's session of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at UN Headquarters.

Key Points from the Address:

1. Alarming SDG Progress Report

   • Only 17% of 2030 SDG targets are on track

   • Many goals remain stagnant, with some regressing below 2015 baseline levels

2. Critical Funding Gap

   • Annual SDG financing shortfall now exceeds $4 trillion

   • With just five years remaining until 2030, this threatens the "leave no one behind" principle

3. Developing Nations' Challenges

   • Compounding crises: growing inequality, debt burdens, fiscal constraints, and worsening climate impacts

   • These factors collectively hinder SDG achievement

4. GCC's Commitment & Progress

   • Average health expenditure across GCC states reached 4.5% of GDP in 2024

   • Female labor force participation surged from 17% (2018) to 35% (2024)

   • Regional economic recovery underway with projected 4.7% growth in 2024

   • Gulf-wide unemployment declined to 9% in 2024

5. Environmental Leadership

   • GCC states protect 36% of biologically significant marine areas (vs 8% global average)

6. Call to Action

   • Urged strengthened international cooperation and global solidarity

   • Emphasized multilateral solutions for transnational challenges

   • Reaffirmed GCC's financial commitments despite 7% decline in global official development assistance

Closing Remarks:
Minister Al-Enezi reiterated the GCC's unwavering commitment to:

• Mobilizing available resources for timely SDG achievement

• Enhancing existing partnerships

• Developing equitable international cooperation frameworks to benefit all nations and future generations