The Saudi Green Building Forum (SGBF) has reinforced its international presence in science, technology, and innovation by confirming its participation in the 29th session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD).
Hosted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the CSTD session will take place from April 20 to 24, 2026, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Delegates will include representatives from member governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. SGBF has been approved to participate in an advisory capacity, underscoring its growing role in shaping sustainable development policies globally.
Sustainable construction through data and innovation
At the session, SGBF will present a working paper outlining data-driven strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on the sustainable construction sector.
The paper will highlight the forum’s role in promoting development grounded in scientific evidence, innovation, and measurable sustainability practices.
SGBF Secretary General Eng. Faisal Alfadl emphasized that, “At a time of rapid global adoption of artificial intelligence, the true value of data lies not in its volume but in its reliability and verifiability. Through the Saaf® system, we transform data into actionable decisions that enhance resource efficiency, strengthen sustainability in the built environment, and improve quality of life.”
Alfadl further explained that the saaf® evaluation and compliance system employs an advanced methodology based on the principle of sufficiency first, providing a technical framework to ensure genuine and verifiable carbon neutrality.
This approach avoids premature claims of ‘low carbon’ initiatives that fail to address underlying demand and resource consumption.
