Saudi Arabia Ranks 20th in Global Sustainable Infrastructure

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RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has secured the top position in both the Arab region and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the 2024 Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index (QI4SD), released biennially by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The Kingdom's global ranking has significantly improved, climbing 25 places compared to the 2022 index, where it now ranks 20th. The index evaluates key components of quality infrastructure, including standards, metrology, standardization, accreditation, conformity assessment, and national policies. These elements are critical in shaping the sustainable development of nations' economies and societies.

Dr. Saad bin Othman Al-Qasbi, Governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Authority (SASO), emphasized that the Kingdom's performance reflects the ongoing efforts by SASO in collaboration with the Saudi Accreditation Center and other public and private sector stakeholders. This achievement underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to enhancing its quality infrastructure, boosting its global competitiveness, and fostering sustainable economic growth. Al-Qasbi further highlighted the significant impact of the Kingdom’s evolving quality system on improving living standards, economic progress, and business operations. These advancements have played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s notable rise in global rankings. The Kingdom's positioning among the top 20 nations reinforces its dedication to building a robust and sustainable quality infrastructure and refining its legal frameworks to support long-term prosperity.