Over the last 30 years, Saudi Arabia has made considerable achievements in improving its population's health. Significant efforts in testing, regulation, control, and research have increased life expectancy in the Kingdom from 53.9 years to 70.9 years. 

The Saudi Food and Drugs Authority (SFDA) is an entity that promotes public health within the Kingdom. By regulating the use and promotion of food, drug, and medical devices, focuses primarily on offering the people of the nation a healthier way of living.

The main objectives of SFDA are:

• To observe the safety, security, and effectiveness of all foods and drugs.
• To monitor the safety of biological and chemical substances, cosmetics, and pesticides. 
• To observe the safety of medical devices and their impact on public health. 
• To ensure the accuracy and security of medical and diagnostic devices. 
• To launch and implement clear policies and procedures for all foods and drugs.
• To conduct research to identify health problems, their causes, and their impact on the public.
• Control and supervise license procedures for food, drugs, and medical devices factories. 
• Disseminate and exchange information to set up a food and drug database. 
• Establish scientific bases for awareness in the food and drug sectors. 

With the Kingdoms' ambition to become a leading worldwide regulator, the United Nations Development Program in Saudi Arabia (UNDP SA) ventured into a partnership of support with the SFDA in 2019. The partnership entailed several skills and experiences to be exchanged. Alongside the UNDP international footprint, the UNDP carries with its vast knowledge and experience in program building and highly detailed strategic planning, framework, and capacity program-building experiences. 

The UNDP has the technical experience to help achieve various goals set out by the SFDA. These goals ranged from: 

• Evidence-based scientific knowledge transfer and exchange
• Diverse workshops and training seminars
• Agriculture knowledge and assistance based on international experiences
• Process and methods of aligning the SDFA with the UNDP social development goals
• Improving the systems of communications both internally and externally
• Offering expert opinion and advice by utilizing essential international experts in the field
• Submitting necessary and crucial information in regard to the Novel Covid-19 vaccine.

The results of the UNDP research, data, and analysis also offered a comprehensive outlook to legislation within the Kingdom that managed to impact several policies with relevant updates. The UNDP SFDA training courses resulted in national guidelines for manufacturing plants and pharmaceutical companies by regulating the products being created. 

The UNDP has helped the SFDA become a world leader in Food, Drug Administration regulations by setting out tight restrictions and contributing to international communities. The SFDA can help build a more resilient nation that can cater to the masses. The information and research carried out by locally based laboratories can be shared with other administrations worldwide. 

From the SFDA and the UNDP efforts and standpoint, the Kingdom can rest assured that a healthier life is constantly being encouraged on various levels. Promoting "medication without harm," the SFDA ensures that all products that it tests and labels support the ethic of "no harm will come from using the products we regulate." With lab testing efforts, customs ports testing, awareness campaigns, product labeling, and packaging, the SFDA can ensure a more prosperous lifestyle for the Kingdom, precisely in line with its 2030 vision.