In 2015, the United Nations (UN) member countries, upon mutual understanding have identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to be achieved by 2030. According to several reports, some countries are reflecting good progress but overall, no country is on track towards achieving all the UN SDGs. This article aims to show the progress and commitment of the United Arab Emirates towards UN SDGs. A qualitative research approach using a systematic literature review following PRISMA compliance and a semi-structured interview was adapted to achieve the aim of this research. The results reflect that Emirates has achieved only one goal. Most of the remaining goals are not on track to be achieved by 2030. In fact, some of the goals related to Energy and Climate are getting more riskier. The country under its different initiatives aims to invest a total of US $ 163.35 billion in different projects that target to achieve 50% clean energy by 2050. It is, however, not clear from the government strategy that how these targets will be achieved. Similarly, the government needs to ensure a close relationship between organizations so that the action of one unit doesn't derail the plans of other organizations.

The construction projects in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries are at peak as the region is in the stage of improving its infrastructures. This paper presents the current status of the occupational safety and health in the region by providing a brief comparison with some of the advanced countries wherein improved safety performance is guaranteed and maintained. The comparison of the available data shows, that in general, GCC countries display a poor occupational safety and health performance. The paper suggests the key areas for research which could help the GCC construction industry to improve its performance. These areas include the awareness and importance of safety, cost of accidents, environmental and climatic factors which affect the workers, occupational safety and health regulations and its implementation, workers' wellbeing, safety culture and safety climate.

Poor occupational safety and health (OS&H) results in an economic burden of 4% of the total world gross domestic product (GDP). Effective OS&H regulations and their implementation are one of the main factors in achieving an improved safety performance. This article discusses the current OS&H regulations applicable in all industries including construction in Oman. Construction is one of the main industries in Oman, which contributes about 9% towards its GDP. This article attempts to offer some basic understanding of the OS&H regulations applicable to both employees and employers in Oman. The current regulations comprise four chapters and 43 articles, which address some of the key areas, including the specifications of worker uniform and personal protection equipment, medical care, precautions against hazards, special precautionary measures, OS&H management system and enforcement by ministry inspectors. The minimum number of employees for an employer to have a qualified OS&H supervisor is 50. Different agreements between Oman and the International Labour Organization indicate that Oman is committed to implementing the National Programme for Work, which aims to build Oman’s labour market and to provide decent work.