Saudi Green Building Forum participates in UN session

The Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF) delegation concluded its attendance at the 58th session of the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD58). The session addressed affordable housing and social protection systems to tackle global homelessness.
The CSocD58 is the first time that the UN Commission for Social Development has addressed homelessness within its agenda. Globally, there are 100 million homeless people and 1.5 billion people who live in inadequate housing. The UN member countries are working to solve this issue. SGBF is one of the few established Saudi Arabian NGOs in consultative status with the UN.
“SGBF supports the integration of affordable housing within urban developments, architectural design and use of materials that support the occupants’ well-being, and minimizing construction waste through efficient methods, including sustainable development goals,” said Faisal Al-Fadl, SGBF chair representative to the UN.

SGBF’s mission focuses on the built environment and resilience of city development practices including energy, water, infrastructure, resources and human experience integrated within affordable housing developments in order to minimize negative impact on the planet and the health and happiness of citizens.
By 2050, two-thirds of the population are expected to live in urban areas. With this, homeless populations will likely continue to rise. Homelessness often affects women and girls the worst due to the violence and extreme poverty they experience. Older women are one of the fastest growing demographics in homelessness.
The SGBF was first initiated in 2010 and established in 2014. In 2017, the foundation became the first professional association body from Saudi Arabia in consultative status with the UN.