Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 26 Ramadan 1438 AH (June 21, 2017). He is considered one of the most prominent leaders of the Kingdom's modern transformation. On 1 Rabi' al-Awwal 1444 AH (September 27, 2022), a royal decree was issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, appointing him Prime Minister, making him the first grandson of the Kingdom's founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, to hold this position.

Early life and lineage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

The lineage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is: Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Muqrin bin Markhan bin Ibrahim bin Musa bin Rabi’ah bin Mane’ bin Rabi’ah Al-Muridi, and he belongs to the Bani Hanifa tribe from Bakr bin Wael from Rabi’ah bin Nizar bin Ma’ad bin Adnan.

His family traces its origins to the Diriyah region, which was the capital of the first Saudi state and the starting point of its establishment. It is also considered one of the most important historical centers from which the modern Saudi state emerged. The Banu Hanifa settled in Wadi Hanifa in central Najd after the arrival of Mani' al-Muraydi and his family in 850 AH/1446 CE, where he founded a settlement known as "al-Duru'" after his tribe, following the migration of his ancestors to this region since the third century AH (ninth century CE).

Birth and upbringing of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz was born in Riyadh on 15 Dhu al-Hijjah 1405 AH, corresponding to August 31, 1985. He was raised by his father, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who was then the Governor of Riyadh Province, and his mother, Princess Fahda bint Falah bin Sultan Al Hithlain. He is the sixth son of King Salman.

He spent his childhood in the city of Riyadh during a period in which the city witnessed great expansion and development in infrastructure, facilities and services, which accompanied the urban transformation that the capital experienced and contributed to shaping its modern features.

Education of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Prince Mohammed bin Salman received his general education in Riyadh schools, and he was one of the top students; he ranked among the top ten in the Kingdom at the secondary level.

He continued his university studies at King Saud University, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the College of Law and Political Science, graduating second in his class. During his studies, he participated in several specialized courses and training programs that contributed to developing his legal and administrative knowledge.

The first positions of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

After graduating from King Saud University with a bachelor's degree in law, Prince Mohammed bin Salman began his career as an advisor to the Council of Ministers' Experts Authority on 22 Rabi' al-Awwal 1428 AH, corresponding to April 10, 2007. He was then appointed as a special advisor to the Governor of Riyadh Region on 28 Dhu al-Hijjah 1430 AH, corresponding to December 15, 2009.

He also held a number of other positions, including Secretary General of the Riyadh Center for Competitiveness, Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the King Abdulaziz Foundation, in addition to his membership in the Supreme Executive Committee for the Development of Diriyah.

In 2013, he moved from his position in the Riyadh region to become supervisor of the Crown Prince's private office and affairs. A royal decree issued on 20 Rabi' al-Thani 1434 AH (2 March 2013) appointed him Chief of the Crown Prince's Court and Special Advisor to the Crown Prince with the rank of Minister. On 5 Ramadan 1434 AH (13 July 2013), he was appointed General Supervisor of the Office of the Minister of Defense, in addition to his other duties.

On 25 Jumada al-Thani 1435 AH (April 25, 2014), a royal decree was issued appointing him Minister of State and a member of the Council of Ministers, while he continued in his previous duties. A decision was also issued on 23 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1435 AH (September 18, 2014) appointing him Chairman of the Executive Committee of the King Abdulaziz Foundation and Vice Chairman of its Board of Directors.

On 3 Rabi’ al-Thani 1436 AH, corresponding to 23 January 2015 AD, a royal decree was issued appointing him as Minister of Defense, in addition to appointing him as Head of the Royal Court and Special Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques with the rank of Minister. He also chaired the Board of Directors of the General Organization for Military Industries in his capacity as Minister of Defense.

On 9 Rabi’ al-Thani 1436 AH, corresponding to 29 January 2015 AD, a royal decree was issued to establish the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and to form it with him as its chairman. On the same date, he was also appointed as a member of the Council of Political and Security Affairs.

On 3 Jumada al-Akhirah 1436 AH, corresponding to 23 March 2015 AD, the Council of Ministers issued a decision appointing him as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Investment Fund, in his capacity as Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

On the 26th of Ramadan 1438 AH, corresponding to June 21, 2017 AD, a royal decree was issued appointing Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Crown Prince, after the approval of the majority of the members of the Allegiance Council, as 31 out of 34 members supported him. He was given the oath of allegiance at Al-Safa Palace in Mecca, and at the same time he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister, while continuing as Minister of Defense and carrying out his other duties.

On 20 Rabi’ al-Thani 1440 AH, corresponding to 27 December 2018 AD, a royal decree was issued appointing him as Chairman of the Council of Political and Security Affairs.

On 1 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1444 AH, corresponding to September 27, 2022 AD, a royal decree was issued appointing him as Prime Minister, in addition to his position as Crown Prince.

Current positions of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Prince Mohammed bin Salman holds a number of senior positions in the Kingdom, most notably:

- Crown Prince of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

– Prime Minister.

- Chairman of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs.

- Chairman of the Council for Political and Security Affairs.

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Investment Fund.

- Chairman of the Supreme Council of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco).

– Chairman of the Supreme Council for Space.

– Chairman of the Board of Directors of NEOM Company.

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of Red Sea International Company .

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roshan Real Estate Company .

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qiddiya Investment Company .

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Authority for Military Industries.

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City .

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for the City of Mecca and the Holy Sites .

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate .

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority .

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Diriyah Company.

- Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Management and Entrepreneurship.

- Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Combating Corruption.

- Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Research, Development and Innovation.

 - Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Green Saudi Arabia.

– Chairman of the Royal Reserves Council .

- Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Martyrs, Wounded, Prisoners and Missing Persons Fund.

- Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Soudah Development Company.

The political work of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

His emergence on the local scene

Prince Mohammed bin Salman has emerged on the local scene through a number of events and meetings during which he reviewed the features of the transformation that the Kingdom is witnessing, where he presented his vision and ideas about the future of development, and spoke about the major programs and projects aimed at raising the level of the economy, improving the quality of life and enhancing the Kingdom’s position globally.

On May 2, 2017 (corresponding to 6 Sha'ban 1438 AH), the main outlines of Saudi Vision 2030 were presented during a televised interview on Saudi TV. The speaker explained that the vision began with ten executive programs extending to 2020, encompassing indicators and objectives being implemented by 24 government entities. He highlighted the role of the Public Investment Fund as a key driver of the economy and discussed the National Transformation Program, the housing program, and the importance of the Aramco IPO.

During the period from 14 to 16 Safar 1440 AH corresponding to 23–25 October 2018 AD, he chaired the sessions of the Future Investment Initiative Forum in Riyadh with the participation of company presidents, investors and decision-makers from various countries around the world, where the forum witnessed the signing of 25 agreements and memoranda of understanding with a value exceeding $60 billion, within the framework of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, which focuses on the industry, mining, energy and logistics sectors.

On 29 Jumada Al-Awwal 1442 AH, corresponding to January 13, 2021 AD, he participated in a strategic dialogue session in Al-Ula city as part of the activities of the World Economic Forum, in the presence of more than 160 leaders and entrepreneurs representing 36 countries and 28 economic sectors. During the session, he reviewed the investment opportunities in the Kingdom, which are estimated at about $6 trillion over ten years, including large investments in new projects and emerging economic sectors supported by Vision 2030.

In a televised interview on Ramadan 16, 1442 AH (April 28, 2021), he confirmed that the Kingdom is on track to achieve several Vision 2030 targets ahead of schedule, pointing to reforms initiated since 2015, such as restructuring some ministries and establishing new councils. He stated that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) is targeting significant growth within five years, and that its foreign investments are generating returns exceeding 10%, with plans to increase its assets to approximately 10 trillion riyals by 2030. He also noted that the establishment of the Roshn company aims to provide one million housing units as part of a target of four million units.

On the 26th of Ramadan 1444 AH, corresponding to April 17, 2023, Saudi astronauts Rayana Barnawi, Ali Al-Qarni, Mariam Fardous, and Ali Al-Ghamdi were welcomed before the launch of their scientific mission to the International Space Station, which marked the participation of the first Saudi and Arab Muslim female astronaut. The importance of the space sector in supporting the Kingdom's international competitiveness and its role in serving science and humanity and promoting innovation was emphasized.

During the period from 3 to 6 Sha’ban 1443 AH corresponding to 6 to 9 March 2022 AD, he launched the first edition of the World Defense Show organized by the General Authority for Military Industries, and on 19 Sha’ban 1443 AH corresponding to 22 March 2022 AD, he sponsored the graduation ceremony of the 101st batch of students of King Faisal Air College.

On 18 Jumada al-Akhirah 1447 AH, corresponding to 9 December 2025 AD, he sponsored the opening of the facilities of King Salman Air Base in the central sector, as part of the projects to develop the Royal Saudi Air Force and enhance its combat readiness.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman's regional diplomatic activity

Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s diplomatic moves at the regional level have been extensive, represented by visits and tours abroad and meetings with the leaders of the countries of the region, in addition to receiving them in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations, signing economic, cultural and social cooperation agreements, in addition to coordinating positions towards regional and international issues.

In late 2021, he toured the Arab Gulf countries, starting with a visit to the Sultanate of Oman on 2 Jumada al-Ula 1443 AH, corresponding to December 6, 2021, where he met with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bin Taimur, and they discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to develop them.

Then he headed to Abu Dhabi on 3 Jumada al-Ula 1443 AH, corresponding to 7 December 2021 AD, for a two-day visit during which he met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The talks included a review of the historical relations between the two countries and opportunities to expand cooperation in various fields, in addition to discussing regional and international issues of common interest.

On 4 Jumada al-Ula 1443 AH, corresponding to 8 December 2021 AD, he visited the State of Qatar, where he met with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The two sides discussed fraternal relations and ways to enhance cooperation in various fields, in addition to discussing regional and international developments.

He also visited the Kingdom of Bahrain on the 5th and 6th of Jumada al-Ula 1443 AH, corresponding to the 9th and 10th of December 2021 AD, and held an official meeting with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, during which both sides stressed the importance of implementing the contents of the Al-Ula Declaration and strengthening the Gulf Cooperation Council’s progress.

He concluded his Gulf tour with a visit to the State of Kuwait on 6 Jumada al-Ula 1443 AH, corresponding to 10 December 2021 AD, where he met with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and his Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and discussed with them ways to enhance joint cooperation.

On 22 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1443 AH, corresponding to 21 June 2022 AD, he visited the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and met with King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, where the two sides discussed bilateral relations and prospects for cooperation and coordination regarding regional and international issues.

He also paid an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt on June 20 and 21, 2022, at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The two sides agreed to strengthen the economic and trade partnership between the two countries through investment agreements worth about $8 billion, in addition to cooperation in renewable energy projects to produce electricity with a capacity of up to 10 gigawatts.

At the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, he visited the Republic of Turkey on 23 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1443 AH, corresponding to 22 June 2022 AD, where an official session of talks was held that confirmed the desire of the two countries to expand political, economic, military, security and cultural cooperation, with an exchange of views on regional and international developments.

He also co-chaired, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the second edition of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit in Sharm El Sheikh on 13 Rabi’ al-Thani 1444 AH, corresponding to November 7, 2022 AD.

On 29 Shawwal 1444 AH (May 19, 2023), he chaired the Arab Summit in Jeddah. He also held a bilateral meeting with the Turkish President at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on 30 Dhu al-Hijjah 1444 AH (July 18, 2023), during which four cooperation agreements were signed covering energy, defense industries, research and development, investment, and media, in addition to two contracts with the Turkish company Baykar.

On 1 Muharram 1445 AH, corresponding to 19 July 2023 AD, he chaired in Jeddah the summit of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and Central Asian States (C5), which discussed issues of economic, trade and investment cooperation, food security and energy, in addition to the most prominent regional and international issues.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman's international diplomatic activity

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's international activities have been extensive, including visits and reciprocal tours with leaders and heads of state across numerous countries on four continents. He has also headed the Kingdom's delegations at many major international forums and events.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia remained a major destination for a number of leaders and heads of state who were keen to visit it due to its political and economic standing, where they held bilateral meetings with the Crown Prince aimed at developing relations between countries and expanding areas of cooperation, in addition to signing agreements in political, economic, cultural, developmental and environmental fields.

Foreign visits of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

On August 31, 2016 (corresponding to 28 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1437 AH), Prince Mohammed bin Salman paid an official visit to the People's Republic of China, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The meeting addressed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries, in addition to discussing regional and international issues. Saudi-Chinese relations witnessed significant development during this period, culminating in the signing of several agreements across various sectors. During the visit, the Prince also met with a group of Saudi students studying at Chinese universities at his residence in Beijing.

On the 4th of Ramadan 1438 AH, corresponding to May 30, 2017 AD, he visited the Russian Federation, met with President Vladimir Putin and a number of senior officials, and discussed with them ways to develop bilateral relations. A cooperation agreement in multiple military fields was also signed.

He arrived in the United States of America on 3 Rajab 1439 AH, corresponding to March 20, 2018 AD, on an official visit, during which he sponsored the signing of an agreement to establish a joint project aimed at localizing more than 55% of the maintenance, repair and overhaul work of military aircraft within the Kingdom, and transferring the technology of integrating weapons onto them and localizing the supply chains of spare parts, within the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to localize 50% of military spending by 2030. The agreement was concluded between the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI) and Boeing.

During the visit, the Saudi engineers involved with Lockheed Martin in developing the first Saudi satellite (SGS-1) met at the company's headquarters in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and inscribed the phrase "Above the Clouds" on the satellite. The satellite was later launched on February 5, 2019, from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana aboard an Ariane 5 rocket.

On 12 Jumada al-Akhirah 1440 AH, corresponding to 17 February 2019 AD, he visited the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where he held a meeting with the Prime Minister and discussed bilateral relations and joint cooperation with him.

He also participated in the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan in June 2019. The visit witnessed the signing of a number of Saudi-Japanese agreements covering areas of cultural exchange, energy, industry, investment and international development, support for small and medium enterprises and enhancing their competitiveness in global markets, in addition to media cooperation and information exchange.

On 27 Dhu al-Hijjah 1443 AH, corresponding to 26 July 2022 AD, he met in the Greek capital, Athens, with the Prime Minister of Greece, where the two sides discussed the development of bilateral relations and investment opportunities. The visit concluded with the signing of an agreement to establish the Saudi-Greek Strategic Partnership Council.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman continued his foreign activities through his participation in summits and international visits. On 21 Rabi' al-Thani 1444 AH, corresponding to November 15, 2022, he headed the Kingdom's delegation to the G20 Leaders' Summit in Bali, Indonesia. The visit contributed to strengthening cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, developing bilateral relations towards a broader strategic partnership, and opening new areas of cooperation between the two countries.

He continued his Asian tour, traveling on November 16, 2022 (corresponding to Rabi' al-Thani 22, 1444 AH) to Seoul, the capital of South Korea, where he met with Prime Minister Han Deok-soo and discussed areas of cooperation between the two countries. The following day, November 17, 2022 (corresponding to Rabi' al-Thani 23, 1444 AH), he arrived in Thailand, where he headed the Kingdom's delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. In Bangkok, he met with Prime Minister and Minister of Defense General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The visit witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding in the fields of investment, energy, and tourism, in addition to the establishment of the Saudi-Thai Coordination Council.

On 18 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1444 AH, corresponding to June 7, 2023 AD, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, was received at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah. During the meeting, bilateral relations between the two countries were reviewed, and aspects of cooperation and regional and international developments were discussed.

He also visited the French Republic on June 16, 2023 (corresponding to 27 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1444 AH), where he met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. During the meeting, they discussed strategic relations between the two countries and ways to develop them, in addition to exchanging views on international and regional issues. During the visit, he headed the Kingdom's delegation to the "For a New Global Financial Compact" summit, held on June 22 and 23, 2023, which discussed ways to develop the global financial system, climate issues, combating poverty, and protecting biodiversity.

On 24 Safar 1445 AH, corresponding to 9 September 2023 AD, he headed the Kingdom’s delegation to the G20 summit in New Delhi, Republic of India. During the visit, he met with the President of India, Drupadi Murmo, and co-chaired with Prime Minister Narendra Modi the first meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council.

On 21 Jumada al-Ula 1445 AH, corresponding to December 5, 2023 AD, he arrived in the State of Qatar on an official visit, during which he met with the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and headed the Kingdom’s delegation at the forty-fourth session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, in addition to the meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

He also headed the Kingdom’s delegation to the thirty-third Arab Summit, which was held in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, on 8 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1445 AH, corresponding to 16 May 2024 AD.

On 12 Rabi’ al-Thani 1446 AH, corresponding to 15 October 2024 AD, he visited the Arab Republic of Egypt and met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, where the two sides witnessed the signing of the minutes establishing the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council under their chairmanship.

On 29 Jumada al-Ula 1446 AH, corresponding to 1 December 2024 AD, he headed the Kingdom’s delegation to the forty-fifth session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in the State of Kuwait.

On 27 Jumada al-Ula 1447 AH, corresponding to 18 November 2025 AD, he paid an official visit to the United States of America, during which he met with US President Donald Trump, and discussed with him bilateral relations and common issues. The two sides signed the Strategic Defense Agreement, in addition to their participation in the Saudi-American Investment Forum at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington.

On 12 Jumada al-Akhirah 1447 AH, corresponding to 3 December 2025 AD, he headed the Kingdom’s delegation to the forty-sixth session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also chaired, with the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the fourth meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Minister of Defense

Since his appointment as Minister of Defense, Prince Mohammed bin Salman has worked to implement a comprehensive development program for the ministry, and has led a reform path that focused on modernization and reorganization, as part of the Ministry of Defense development plan that aimed to support the military manufacturing sector and enhance the readiness of the armed forces.

The development process included launching 308 initiatives, along with preparing a new organizational structure for the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces, which enhances its ability to protect the Kingdom’s security, interests and sovereignty from any external threat, and to work in coordination with various government agencies to achieve security and stability.

On 21 Sha’ban 1438 AH, corresponding to May 17, 2017 AD, the Saudi Arabian Military Industries Company (SAMI) was established as a national company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, with the aim of developing defense industries in the Kingdom and enhancing self-sufficiency, by localizing up to 50% of military spending in accordance with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, while striving to be among the top 25 defense companies globally.

The General Authority for Military Industries was established on 22 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1438 AH, corresponding to 14 August 2017 AD, to be the regulatory and supervisory body for the military industries sector in the Kingdom, and responsible for organizing, developing and monitoring its performance.

Decisive Storm

In support of regional security and stability, to protect legitimacy in Yemen, and to safeguard the Kingdom's security and borders, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, issued an order on 5 Jumada al-Thani 1436 AH (25 March 2015) to launch Operation Decisive Storm against the Houthi militia, in response to a request from the Yemeni president. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman assumed command of the military coalition supporting the operation, and the first airstrikes were launched on 6 Jumada al-Thani 1436 AH (26 March 2015) from the Royal Saudi Air Force operations center.

On 2 Rajab 1436 AH (April 21, 2015), the coalition announced the end of Operation Decisive Storm after achieving its military objectives in cooperation with the participating countries. Measures to protect the Kingdom's southern borders by ground forces and border guards continued, along with efforts to counter any threats to its security. The naval blockade of territorial waters and ports remained in effect, and evacuation and humanitarian aid operations commenced, along with efforts to restore security and stability in Yemen under Operation Restoring Hope.

Launch of the Ministry of Defense strategy

Based on the directives of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Ministry of Defense strategy was prepared within the Ministry of Defense Development Program, with the aim of raising the efficiency of the armed forces and bringing them to an advanced level that places them among the best armies in terms of readiness, operational capability and integration in the face of various threats.

The strategy identified five main objectives, which were:

• Achieving superiority and excellence in joint military operations.
• Developing the organizational structure and institutional performance of the Ministry of Defense.
• Raising the efficiency of individuals and enhancing their readiness and morale.
• Improving the efficiency of military spending and supporting the localization of military industries.
• Updating military equipment, supplies, and weapons.

Localization of military industries

Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs the board of directors of the General Authority for Military Industries, which is responsible for regulating, enabling and localizing the military industries sector in the Kingdom, and working to build a sustainable local military sector, with the aim of raising the localization rate of government spending on military equipment and services to more than 50% by 2030.

The Authority works in conjunction with its partners in the public and private sectors to develop this sector by enabling local and international manufacturers, providing them with licenses to invest in an attractive military industrial environment, in addition to supporting national talents to participate in localization programs and transfer technical knowledge.

Among the most prominent achievements of this approach is the localization of the multi-purpose surveillance system “Zarqa Al-Yamamah – Zali” produced by the National Company for Mechanical Systems, in addition to the launch of the locally manufactured “Al-Dahna” military armored vehicle, as well as the manufacturing and launch of the first fast interceptor boat of the (HSI 32) type within the Kingdom, in addition to the establishment of the first floating dock.

These efforts have contributed to providing job opportunities in the public and private sectors, transferring modern technologies, and supporting economic development by boosting non-oil revenues, in addition to supporting small and medium-sized national companies, thereby enhancing defense capabilities and establishing a local and sustainable military industries sector.

Nuclear energy file

Given the importance of nuclear science and technology applications in supporting development and meeting the needs of vital sectors, and considering the Kingdom's uranium reserves, estimated at more than 5% of global reserves, a royal decree was issued on 19 Ramadan 1438 AH (June 14, 2017) establishing the "National Atomic Energy Project." The project aims to enable the Kingdom to enter the field of peaceful uses of nuclear energy as a safe, efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly energy source.

The project includes the construction of large nuclear reactors for electricity production, working to localize small modular reactor technologies, developing the nuclear fuel cycle in preparation for self-sufficiency in its production, in addition to developing the nuclear and radiological control system.

King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy also established the Saudi Nuclear Energy Holding Company to participate economically in nuclear projects both within the Kingdom and abroad. This includes operating and developing nuclear facilities for power generation, water desalination, and thermal applications, as well as establishing programs to train national talent in the field of nuclear energy in cooperation with specialized international institutions. These efforts also encompass the creation of a national digital platform to attract and develop human capital in this field, supporting the Country Framework Programme for 2022–2027 and promoting the integration of nuclear energy into the national energy mix.

On 25 Jumada al-Akhirah 1439 AH, corresponding to 13 March 2018 AD, the “Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority” was established as an independent body responsible for regulating and monitoring nuclear and radiological safety in the Kingdom, and it plays a major role in implementing the National Plan for Response to Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman's efforts

Judicial aspect

Since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, Prince Mohammed bin Salman has directed the implementation of a package of judicial and legislative reforms aimed at raising the efficiency of the justice system and enhancing its integrity, consolidating the principles of justice and human rights, increasing the level of transparency and improving the quality of life, in support of the path of comprehensive development in the Kingdom.

During the period between 2016 and 2020, a wide range of legislation was issued, including 60 new systems, 77 regulations, 36 organizational arrangements, and 24 bylaws, aimed at building clear institutional legislative frameworks and regulating public policies.

Four major judicial systems were also announced, representing an important shift in judicial legislation: the Evidence System, the Personal Status System, the Civil Transactions System, and the Penal System for Discretionary Punishments, with the aim of unifying legal references and reducing the disparity in judicial rulings.

The Evidence Law was approved on 24 Jumada al-Ula 1443 AH (December 28, 2021 CE) to meet social, economic, and technical requirements and enhance the protection of rights and property. On 5 Sha'ban 1443 AH (March 8, 2022 CE), the Personal Status Law was issued, focusing on family stability, protecting rights, empowering women, and regulating the judge's discretionary power.

The Civil Transactions Law was also issued on 24 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1444 AH, corresponding to June 13, 2023 AD, including rules for protecting property, stabilizing contracts, and determining the sources of rights and obligations, which contributed to improving the business environment, regulating economic transactions, enhancing transparency, and reducing disputes.

In 2022, the Supreme Court approved the judicial costs system to reduce malicious lawsuits, promote preventive justice, and document contracts. The digital transformation steps were completed with the launch of the unified “Najiz” platform for electronic judicial services, which allows citizens, residents, and the business sector to benefit from the services of the courts and notaries electronically easily and quickly.

The Ministry of Justice launched the "Taradhi" platform to enable disputing parties to reach a settlement through integrated electronic procedures that culminate in a settlement agreement or the inability to reach an agreement. Additionally, the Supreme Administrative Court was established in 2017 as the highest court of administrative litigation, reviewing judgments issued by administrative appeals courts.

The Board of Grievances also established a Judicial Operations Management Center as part of its digital transformation project, which contributed to expediting judicial procedures and improving the quality of their outcomes. The Enforcement Law before the Board of Grievances was issued on September 4, 2021. Time limits were set for administrative cases, amounting to 150 days in courts of first instance and 120 days in courts of appeal, which enhanced performance efficiency and transparency.

These reforms have been reflected in international indicators, with the Kingdom advancing eight places in the Judicial Independence Index of the 2019 Global Competitiveness Report, reaching 16th place globally. It also achieved 17th place globally in the efficiency of its legal framework for dispute resolution, maintained its 11th place ranking globally in the index for the alignment of the legal framework with digital business, and rose to 18th place in the index for the efficiency of challenging regulations. Furthermore, the Kingdom ranked third among G20 countries and 11th globally in the area of ​​technological governance, surpassing several major economies.

Political aspect

Prince Mohammed bin Salman adopted political approaches aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s security and sovereignty and consolidating its regional and international standing, based on its human, economic and cultural resources, and on a long history of good neighborly relations and balanced openness to the world, while preserving the state’s constants and principles.

Domestically, the citizen was placed at the forefront of his priorities through the launch of a set of reforms, initiatives and programs, the most prominent of which was combating corruption as a fundamental step to support the economy and raise the gross domestic product, in addition to restructuring ministries, councils and government bodies and defining their operational goals, and assigning their management to national competencies capable of implementing national transformation programs and providing more efficient government services.

He also launched Saudi Vision 2030, which is based on three main pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. It included a large number of initiatives aimed at developing government performance, building a supportive economic infrastructure, improving the standard of living, and reducing unemployment rates by providing job opportunities in various sectors.

Domestic policies included developing social and cultural aspects, as a set of decisions and regulations were issued that contributed to empowering women and enhancing their participation in national development in various fields, in addition to supporting youth by expanding job opportunities and creating an environment that stimulates creativity, innovation and investment of their energies.

On the external front, Saudi policy at this stage was characterized by dynamism and early initiative in keeping with geopolitical and economic changes, while taking advantage of the Kingdom’s political and economic weight and spiritual status, expanding its international relations and diversifying its economic partnerships, as well as diversifying its sources of armament and strengthening its military capabilities, in addition to working to achieve balances in the oil market in a way that serves the interests of the Kingdom.

In this context, the Crown Prince made a number of Gulf, regional and international visits and tours to enhance joint cooperation, and received leaders and heads of state of the world. These moves resulted in the signing of security, political and economic agreements that contributed to strengthening the Kingdom’s relations with major countries.

Economic aspect

Developing the Kingdom's economy and increasing its GDP are among the top priorities of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Vision 2030 focuses on building a strong economic foundation that enhances the economy's resilience by diversifying income sources and reducing dependence on oil. This will be achieved through investing in natural resources and leveraging the Kingdom's strategic geographic location, which connects three continents. The Vision aims to transform the Saudi economy into a diversified and sustainable one, based on increased productivity and a stronger role for the private sector in generating economic resources.

In this context, a set of structural reforms were launched in the economic and financial sectors, which contributed to raising growth rates while maintaining financial stability, through developing the business environment, enabling the private sector to be a key partner in economic diversification, investing in new sectors that were not previously exploited, and improving investment and banking systems in a way that increases the Kingdom’s attractiveness to local and international investors.

In 1436 AH, corresponding to 2015 AD, Cabinet Resolution No. (270) was issued linking the Public Investment Fund to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to become a key instrument for launching new economic sectors, generating job opportunities and establishing companies, based on large investment portfolios inside and outside the Kingdom, as one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world.

The National Transformation Program was launched in 2016 (1437 AH) with the aim of developing government performance, building economic infrastructure, and improving living standards. This was achieved through several strategic pillars, including developing healthcare, improving quality of life and safety, ensuring the sustainability of vital resources, promoting community development and the non-profit sector, enabling various segments of society to enter the labor market, supporting the private sector, and developing the tourism and national heritage sectors. The program works to achieve 34 strategic objectives, representing approximately 35% of the goals of Vision 2030, with the participation of seven key ministries and more than 50 government entities.

In 1439 AH (2017 AD), the basic system of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund was amended to enable it to expand its support to promising sectors in the fields of industry, mining, energy and logistics services.

The National Development Fund was established on 13 Muharram 1439 AH (October 3, 2017) to enhance the efficiency of development funds and banks and align with economic development priorities. On March 14, 2022, its strategy was launched to support the Sustainable Development Goals and stimulate the private sector's contribution to more than triple its developmental impact on the economy by 2030. This includes supporting GDP growth by injecting over 570 billion riyals, more than tripling non-oil GDP to approximately 605 billion riyals, and creating new job opportunities.

In 1440 AH, corresponding to 2019 AD, the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program “NIDLP” was launched as one of the Vision 2030 programs, with the aim of transforming the Kingdom into an industrial power and a global logistics platform through integration between the industry, mining, energy and logistics sectors, enhancing the utilization of national resources, stimulating investment, diversifying the economy, improving the trade balance, providing quality job opportunities and supporting local content.

Continuing the economic revitalization programs, the “Sharik” program to enhance partnership with the private sector was launched in Sha’ban 1442 AH, corresponding to March 2021 AD, under the supervision of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It aims to raise the volume of local investments for listed and unlisted private sector companies to reach about 5 trillion riyals by 2030, through incentives and supportive government initiatives.

On 24 Jumada al-Akhirah 1444 AH, corresponding to 17 January 2023 AD, the launch of the “Events Investment Fund” was announced under his chairmanship, with the aim of creating a sustainable infrastructure that supports the culture, tourism, entertainment and sports sectors, and promoting strategic partnerships and attracting foreign investments, while developing more than 35 sites in various regions of the Kingdom by 2030.

The fund's projects include the development of various facilities such as art galleries, theaters, conference centers, horse racing tracks, shooting ranges, motor racing circuits, and other assets. Its strategy is based on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standards, encompassing environmental improvement, community enrichment, and adherence to the highest management standards. This contributes to diversifying non-oil revenue streams and increasing job opportunities, while also raising the tourism sector's contribution to GDP from 3% to 10% and attracting approximately 150 million visitors by 2030, ultimately enhancing the Kingdom's position among the world's leading tourist destinations.

Development efforts encompassed multiple sectors, most notably the energy sector through renewable energy projects and the development of oil and gas production, and the mining sector through the mining investment system, in addition to improving logistical infrastructure and promoting investment, tourism, and entertainment. Major tourism seasons and events were also launched, heritage sites were developed, and visa procedures for visitors were streamlined.

This was reflected in the economic indicators, as the Saudi economy recorded a growth of 5.6% in 2021, and the gross domestic product rose by 3.8% in the first quarter of 2023 on an annual basis. Non-oil activities also grew by 5.4%, supported by the performance of the private sector, while oil activities continued to grow by 1.4%.

On 14 Jumada al-Ula 1445 AH, corresponding to November 28, 2023 AD, the Kingdom won the bid to host the “Expo 2030” exhibition in the city of Riyadh during the period from October 2030 AD to March 2031 AD, after its file received 119 votes from the member states of the Bureau International des Expositions, surpassing the cities of Busan, South Korea, and Rome, Italy.

Thanks to these policies, the Kingdom has become one of the world’s twenty largest economies and an influential member of the G20. It is also the largest economy in the Middle East, with a strong financial system, an active banking sector, major national companies, and a diversified economic base that includes manufacturing, energy, mining, information technology, and business tourism.

These transformations were accompanied by the launch of major economic and development projects, most notably NEOM City, The Line Project, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya Project, Diriyah Gate Project, King Salman Energy Park “SPARK”, and the Al-Ula Development Project.

Aramco shares offered for public subscription

As part of the economic reform program aimed at diversifying income sources and reducing dependence on oil, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spearheaded the initial public offering (IPO) of a portion of Saudi Aramco's shares. The offering commenced on November 17, 2019 (corresponding to 20 Rabi' al-Awwal 1441 AH), with three billion shares, representing 1.5% of the company's total shares, being offered. One billion shares were allocated to individual subscribers, and the share price was set at 32 riyals.

Aramco shares officially began trading on the Saudi Stock Exchange on 14 Rabi’ al-Thani 1441 AH, corresponding to December 11, 2019 AD, bringing the company’s market value to approximately 6.4 trillion riyals (about $1.71 trillion), making it at that time the largest company listed on global financial markets in terms of market value.

On 25 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1445 AH, corresponding to June 2, 2024 AD, Saudi Aramco announced a secondary public offering of 1.545 billion ordinary shares, equivalent to about 0.64% of the company’s issued shares, within a price range between 26.7 and 29 riyals per share.

On 5 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445 AH, corresponding to 11 June 2024 AD, the completion of the secondary offering process and the sale of all the offered shares was announced, making it the largest secondary offering in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region since 2000 AD, as well as the largest share offering in the Middle East after the initial public offering conducted by the company in 2019 AD.

Diplomatic aspect

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has led diplomatic efforts that have contributed to highlighting the Kingdom’s active political role at the regional and international levels, as Saudi foreign policy is based on firm principles that include good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of states and international systems, and strengthening influential partnerships in the international community.

In 2022, he undertook an Asian tour that included the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of South Korea, and the Kingdom of Thailand, to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit in Indonesia and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Thailand. The tour reflected the Kingdom's focus on expanding bilateral cooperation across various sectors, as well as showcasing the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthening economic cooperation opportunities with sisterly and friendly nations.

These moves came after the Kingdom’s participation in the “Green Middle East Initiative” summit and the “Saudi Green Initiative” forum in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, coinciding with the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in November 2022, reflecting its interest in global environmental issues.

Relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People’s Republic of China have witnessed remarkable development and growing cooperation in various fields, within the framework of the Kingdom’s approach to strengthening its strategic partnerships with major international powers and establishing balanced relations that achieve its national interests.

In the same context, areas of cooperation with the Russian Federation were strengthened through the mutual visits between Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Vladimir Putin, which contributed to coordinating efforts in the energy sector, investing in infrastructure, and working together to achieve stability in energy markets in a way that balances the interests of producers and consumers.

Environmental aspect

In several statements, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed that addressing climate change presents an opportunity to enhance economic competitiveness and create jobs, and that future generations deserve a more sustainable future. This reflects the Kingdom's commitment to making sustainability a central pillar of its development planning, infrastructure development, public policies, and investment within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030, while also participating in international efforts to address energy and climate challenges.

To achieve these goals, the Kingdom launched a wide range of environmental initiatives and programs, most notably:

2017 AD: Launch of the King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative, announcement of the National Renewable Energy Program, and establishment of the Saudi Investment Recycling Company “SIRC”.

2018 AD: Establishment of the Royal Reserves Council, launch of the National Environmental Strategy, and establishment of the Special Forces for Environmental Security.

In 2019: Joining the International Solar Alliance, establishing five specialized centers in the fields of environment, launching the “Green Riyadh” project, integrated waste management and recycling programs in Riyadh, establishing the Environment Fund, and launching the Dumat Al-Jandal wind energy project.

In 2020, the Kingdom adopted the Circular Carbon Economy initiative during its presidency of the G20 summit, launched two initiatives to reduce the degradation of land and natural habitats, established a global platform to accelerate research and development for the preservation of coral reefs, and created the National Center for Environmental Compliance Monitoring.

2021: Launch of the “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East” initiatives, the joining of “Saudi Golf” to the United Nations Sport for Climate initiative, the operation of the Sakaka solar power plant, the inclusion of the Farasan Islands in the UNESCO “Man and the Biosphere” program, the announcement of the goal of achieving zero emissions neutrality by 2060 in accordance with the circular carbon economy approach based on reduction, reuse, recycling and removal, in addition to launching the National Circular Carbon Economy Program and joining the Global Methane Pledge and the Global Ocean Alliance.

In 2022, the Kingdom, represented by the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, joined the United Nations initiative “Sports Framework for Climate Action”.

2023 AD: Signing of the contract to prepare the Saudi Code for Water Resources and Uses.

During the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, a package of environmental initiatives was announced that aims to reduce carbon emissions by about 278 million tons annually by 2030, in addition to implementing projects to diversify energy sources, including the “Optimal Energy Mix” program, which aims to have renewable energy reach 50% of electricity production by 2030.

The Line city in the NEOM region embodies the principles of sustainable development, as it relies entirely on 100% renewable energy, while providing green spaces, a natural environment and sustainable food production.

These efforts have been reflected in the Kingdom’s presence in international environmental indicators; the Saudi Electricity Company received the Environmental Management Award in the Islamic World in 2019, and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture won the award for the best government entity globally in the water sector for 2021 during the World Water Summit in Madrid, and also received the World Summit on the Information Society Award for 2023 in the digital environment category, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The humanitarian aspect

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 included raising the contribution of the non-profit sector to approximately 5% of GDP by 2030, with the aim of supporting charitable and volunteer work and enhancing community participation in providing aid and support to various segments of society. This has contributed to a significant increase in the number of volunteers, which rose nearly twentyfold between 2015 and 2022.

On 11 Sha'ban 1440 AH, corresponding to April 16, 2019, the National Center for the Development of the Non-Profit Sector was established, reporting directly to the Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He also chairs the board of directors of the Riyadh Non-Profit Schools and the board of trustees of the King Salman Youth Center.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the “Sanad Mohammed bin Salman Program” to meet the needs of society and provide direct support to citizens. It includes a number of initiatives, including “Sanad Al-Zawaj” to help newlyweds reduce the costs of marriage, the “Stable Family” initiative aimed at supporting the stability of the Saudi family, in addition to the “Living Independently” initiative, which is concerned with empowering people with disabilities technically to face challenges and enhance their integration into society.

He also founded the Misk Foundation in 2011 (1432 AH) and chairs its board of directors. The foundation aims to support knowledge-based and creative initiatives and develop human capital. It works to empower Saudi youth in the fields of education, entrepreneurship, science, and technology by designing programs and building partnerships with local and international entities, thereby contributing to building a knowledge-based society and enhancing opportunities for sustainable development.

Religious aspect

Prince Mohammed bin Salman was keen to promote Islamic values ​​based on tolerance, moderation, and the rejection of extremism, and to work on spreading a culture of moderation and coexistence, in order to reduce the manifestations of hatred and extremism that some societies have suffered from.

In the context of regulating internal religious affairs, a new regulation for the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice was issued on 4 Rajab 1437 AH, corresponding to 11 April 2016 AD. It included the requirement of scientific qualification for its members, the adoption of a lenient approach in dealing with them, and limiting regulatory procedures to competent authorities such as the police or the General Directorate for Drug Control, so that these authorities would undertake the procedures of arrest, investigation and follow-up in accordance with the applicable regulations.

In 2015, the “Salam for Civilizational Communication” project was launched as a national initiative aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue through three main pillars: knowledge building, capacity development, and effective practice. The Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, “Etidal,” was also established to monitor and combat sources of extremism and track the financing of terrorism at the individual and organizational levels.

This period witnessed a number of reform decisions. On July 30, 2019 (corresponding to 27 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1440 AH), a decree was issued allowing women aged 21 and above to obtain passports and travel outside the Kingdom without requiring permission. In July 2021, a circular was issued stipulating that commercial activities should remain open during prayer times. The Kingdom also welcomed the adoption by the United Nations Human Rights Council of a resolution on combating religious hatred and incitement to discrimination and violence, affirming respect for religions and cultures and promoting human values.

Sports aspect

The sports sector in the Kingdom has witnessed remarkable development as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle and build a more active society. Major projects supporting sports and physical activity have been launched, most notably the Riyadh Sports Track, the Qiddiya project, King Salman Park, and the Riyadh Green Initiative. Furthermore, pedestrian walkways have expanded and transformed into open sports facilities equipped with games, green spaces, and cycling paths, such as the Jeddah Waterfront Walkway, the Prince Saud bin Abdulmohsen Road Walkway in Hail, the Al-Hamra Walkway and Park in Khobar, and Quba Avenue in Madinah.

Developing an integrated sports sector is one of the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 under the "Vibrant Society" pillar, aiming to increase community participation in physical activities and achieve advanced sporting results for national teams and clubs. The percentage of people participating in sports in the community rose from 13% to 23% in 2018, and then to approximately 29.7% in 2021, contributing to an improved quality of life and increased life expectancy.

The Kingdom has also hosted numerous international sporting events and championships throughout its various seasons, including the Dakar Rally since 2020, Formula 1 races, the Diriyah Formula E race, the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Championship, the Saudi International Golf Championship, the Italian and Spanish Super Cups, and the Saudi Tour cycling race. Riyadh was selected to host the 2028 TAFISA (Test for Sport for All) International Games, the first edition to be held in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The Ministry of Health launched the National Walking Project with the aim of raising the average life expectancy from 74 to 80 years by promoting a culture of walking in society through competitions, training programs, applications and field activities targeting different age groups.

The Quality of Life Program also supported the development of national talent in the sports sector, the establishment of strategies for its advancement, the empowerment of the private sector, and its contribution to hosting international events and achieving local and international sporting successes. The Ministry of Sports allocated approximately 160 million riyals to develop and modernize sports facilities, supporting clubs and enhancing the efficiency of their facilities.

The program's initiatives include the "National Strategy for Sports Training," implemented by the Ministry of Sports in collaboration with several entities, including the Leadership Development Institute. The Saudi Sports for All Federation was also established in 2018 to be responsible for developing community sports, with the goal of increasing physical activity levels to 40% of the Kingdom's population by 2030.

The sports sector also witnessed the organization of major national events. On October 28, 2022 (corresponding to Rabi' al-Thani 3, 1444 AH), the first edition of the "Saudi Games" was inaugurated. This was the largest national sporting event, with the participation of more than 6,000 athletes and 2,000 technical and administrative supervisors representing over 200 Saudi clubs. The Games were held at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. The Games aimed to create a comprehensive competitive environment across various sports, increase the number of sports participants, discover new talents for the elite athletes program, and develop the Kingdom's capabilities in organizing major tournaments, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The establishment of the Events Investment Fund, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was also announced, with the aim of developing sustainable infrastructure to support the culture, tourism, entertainment and sports sectors.

On 16 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1444 AH, corresponding to June 5, 2023 AD, the Crown Prince launched the investment and privatization project for sports clubs after the completion of its first implementation phase. It aims to bring about a qualitative shift in various sports by 2030, and to develop football in particular, with the goal of bringing the Saudi League into the top ten leagues globally, and increasing the revenues of the Saudi Professional League Association from 450 million riyals to more than 1.8 billion riyals annually, in addition to raising the market value of the league from three billion to more than eight billion riyals.

The Kingdom will also host the Arab Games 2027, and won the right to organize the Asian Games “Riyadh 2034” for the first time in its history, in addition to the city of Trogina in Neom hosting the Asian Winter Games 2029.

On October 4, 2023, the Kingdom announced its intention to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. On July 29, 2024, the official bid file was submitted to FIFA in Paris after fulfilling all requirements. The Crown Prince explained that the bid focuses on developing human capital, advancing football, and strengthening international ties, and that hosting the tournament represents a significant step in the growth of the Kingdom's sports sector.

On November 30, 2024, the hosting bid received the highest technical rating in the history of FIFA, with 419.8 out of 500 points. Then, on December 11, 2024, FIFA officially announced that the Kingdom had won the bid to host the 2034 World Cup.

From July 3 to August 25, 2024, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted the inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh. The tournament featured 500 teams and 1,500 professional players from around the world, with the Saudi team, Falcons, emerging victorious. This championship aimed to develop the gaming and esports sector and enhance the Kingdom's position as a global destination for sporting events. A non-profit organization, the Esports World Cup Foundation, was established to organize the tournament and support the sector's growth and sustainability.

Cultural and entertainment aspect

Launch of the largest cultural and entertainment city

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's interest in the culture and entertainment sectors was evident early on, as he announced the launch of the Qiddiya project on April 7, 2017 (corresponding to 10 Rajab 1438 AH), envisioning it as the largest cultural, sports, and entertainment city of its kind in the Kingdom. The project, located west of Riyadh, spans approximately 376 square kilometers and is intended to be a global destination offering diverse experiences in entertainment, sports, and the arts.

The project is based on five main pillars, including: sports and health, nature and environment, parks and recreational destinations, adventure and movement activities, in addition to arts and culture, which enhances Qiddiya’s position as a national center for entertainment, sports and arts.

On 12 Sha’ban 1439 AH, corresponding to April 28, 2018 AD, the project was officially launched in the presence and under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The master plan included the establishment of recreational resorts, a golf area, residential neighborhoods, areas for adventures and physical activities, in addition to aviation facilities including an airstrip and helicopter landing pads, an urban center for the city, natural areas and a green axis, in addition to entrances and gates designated for accessing the city.

Intellectuals' meeting

Prince Mohammed bin Salman emphasized the importance of the role of intellectuals in developing society and promoting cultural awareness, as demonstrated in his meeting with a select group of intellectuals at Beit Nassif in the historic Jeddah area, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the 19th of Ramadan 1440 AH, corresponding to May 14, 2019 AD.

During the meeting, the Crown Prince emphasized the pivotal role of culture in supporting social development and improving the quality of life, its role in preserving national identity and history, and highlighting the cultural diversity that characterizes the Kingdom, in addition to its contribution to enhancing intellectual and human communication with various civilizations and countries.

The meeting was attended by intellectuals representing sixteen cultural sectors within the Ministry of Culture system, including the fields of heritage, museums and archaeological sites, theater and performing arts, books and publishing, architecture and design, natural heritage, filmmaking, fashion, translation, culinary arts, festivals and cultural events, literature, libraries, visual arts, and music.

Restoration and revitalization of historic Jeddah

Driven by a commitment to preserving and protecting heritage sites, Prince Mohammed bin Salman directed attention to the "Historic Jeddah" area, recognizing it as one of the Kingdom's most prominent cultural and tourist landmarks. In Ramadan 1440 AH (May 2019), a directive was issued to support a project to restore 56 dilapidated buildings, allocating 50 million riyals as a first phase, within a comprehensive program to protect sites of historical value and safeguard cultural heritage from deterioration.

On September 6, 2021 (corresponding to Muharram 29, 1443 AH), the "Revitalizing Historic Jeddah" project was launched as part of the area's development program, aiming to transform it into a vibrant hub for business and cultural activities, and a destination for entrepreneurs. The area encompasses approximately 600 heritage buildings, 36 historic mosques, and five major markets, in addition to ancient alleyways, squares, and important historical sites, including the old waterfront, which was once a main route for pilgrims. The project is working to rehabilitate this waterfront to reflect the history of the Hajj pilgrimage throughout the ages.

On 18 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1445 AH, corresponding to October 3, 2023 AD, the establishment of “Al-Balad Development Company,” owned by the Public Investment Fund, was announced to be the main developer of the historic Jeddah area, with the aim of transforming it into a global cultural and heritage destination.

On 20 Rajab 1445 AH, corresponding to 1 February 2024 AD, the establishment of “Al-Alat” Company, affiliated with the Public Investment Fund, was announced, to contribute to transforming the Kingdom into a global center for sustainable industries based on advanced technologies and electronics.

National Intellectual Property Strategy

In support of innovation and the promotion of the knowledge economy, Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the National Intellectual Property Strategy on 28 Jumada Al-Awwal 1444 AH, corresponding to 22 December 2022 AD, as one of the main enablers for achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The strategy aims to build an integrated intellectual property system that contributes to supporting the economy based on creativity and innovation by developing an integrated value chain that enhances competitiveness and supports economic growth, thus consolidating the Kingdom’s position in this field.

The strategy is based on four main pillars: generating intellectual property, managing it, commercially investing in it, and protecting it.

During its launch, the Crown Prince stressed the importance of empowering creators and innovators, noting that supporting national talents will make the Kingdom a stimulating environment for the knowledge economy, through an integrated system that contributes to the development of innovative technologies and industries, stimulates investment, provides quality jobs, and promotes awareness of the rights of creators and inventors.

Investing in Diriyah

In line with the focus on national identity and strengthening the Kingdom's cultural and historical heritage, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced on January 9, 2023 (corresponding to 16 Jumada al-Thani 1444 AH) the inclusion of the Diriyah project as the fifth major project under the Public Investment Fund. The project is a distinguished global destination, boasting historical and cultural landmarks, most notably the Al-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in addition to a range of facilities, museums, and cultural activities that allow visitors to explore the Kingdom's history and authentic heritage through diverse events and programs.

Events Investment Fund

On 24 Jumada al-Akhirah 1444 AH, corresponding to 17 January 2023 AD, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of the “Events Investment Fund” under his chairmanship, with the aim of supporting four key sectors: culture, sports, entertainment, and tourism.

The fund works to enhance partnerships between the public and private sectors and create an attractive environment for foreign investments, which will contribute to increasing the gross domestic product by about 28 billion riyals by 2045, in addition to providing new job opportunities for citizens and supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to build a prosperous economy and a vibrant society.

The fund also aims to enhance the Kingdom’s regional and international standing as a global events hub, by developing more than 35 sites by 2030, including conference and exhibition centers, theaters, horse and car racing tracks, and shooting ranges.

Scientific aspect

Launch of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence

Based on Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s interest in science and modern technologies and their role in enhancing the Kingdom’s position, a royal decree was issued on 29 Dhu al-Hijjah 1440 AH, corresponding to 30 August 2019 AD, to establish the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence “SDAIA”, which is an administratively and financially independent entity, whose board of directors is chaired by His Highness, and which leads the Kingdom’s direction towards leadership in the fields of data and artificial intelligence.

SDAIA achieved a significant milestone on March 26, 2020 (2 Sha'ban 1441 AH) by launching the first virtual summit for G20 leaders. It also developed the secure video conferencing platform "Burooq" to enable government entities to hold their meetings remotely, and worked to unify and integrate more than 80 government datasets within a unified national data structure. In November 2022, it received the Best Technology Project award for its "National Data Bank" and the Best Community Project award for its "SDAIA T5" camps from the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sponsored the Global AI Summit, which was held in Riyadh on 17 Safar 1444 AH, corresponding to September 13, 2022 AD, under the slogan “Artificial Intelligence for the Good of Humanity,” with the participation of more than 10,000 people and 200 speakers representing 90 countries from decision-makers and global technology companies.

On 26 Shawwal 1444 AH, corresponding to May 16, 2023 AD, “SDAIA” launched the Center of Excellence for Generative Artificial Intelligence and launched the experimental version of the “Alam” application, in a step aimed at employing artificial intelligence technologies and enhancing the Kingdom’s presence in the global technology sector. It also included four Saudi cities in the IMD Smart Cities Index for 2023, namely Riyadh, Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah.

Human Capacity Development Program

Based on Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s interest in developing Saudi human capital and taking advantage of rapidly evolving global opportunities, the Human Capability Development Program was launched on 8 Safar 1443 AH, corresponding to September 15, 2021 AD, as one of the programs to achieve Saudi Vision 2030. The program is a national strategy aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of national talents locally and internationally through the development of the education and training system.

Among its most prominent goals are raising the enrollment rate in kindergartens from 23% to 90%, and including two Saudi universities among the top 100 universities globally by 2030, which supports the Kingdom’s presence in international educational indicators.

Research, development and innovation development

On 20 Shawwal 1442 AH, corresponding to June 1, 2021 AD, the Cabinet issued a decision to establish the Research, Development and Innovation Development Authority, which is an administratively and financially independent entity and is organizationally linked to the Prime Minister.

On 4 Sha’ban 1443 AH, corresponding to 7 March 2022 AD, Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the strategy of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, which represents a new phase of scholarships aimed at qualifying national talents for modern and promising sectors and enhancing their competitiveness.

On 1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1443 AH, corresponding to June 30, 2022 AD, the Crown Prince, in his capacity as Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Research, Development and Innovation, announced four national priorities for the research and development sector over the next two decades: human health, environmental sustainability and basic needs, leadership in energy and industry, and the economies of the future.

These priorities aim to direct research and development projects towards areas of strategic impact, with the Kingdom aspiring to be among the world’s leading countries in innovation, aiming to raise spending on the sector to 2.5% of GDP by 2040, adding economic returns estimated at around 60 billion riyals to GDP.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Management and Entrepreneurship

On June 17, 2016 (corresponding to Ramadan 12, 1437 AH), the Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Management and Entrepreneurship was launched in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Jeddah. This initiative is a partnership between the Misk Foundation, KAEC, Babson College, and Lockheed Martin. The college aims to develop young leaders and empower entrepreneurs, while also supporting management and strategic studies related to business development.

The college houses a specialized research and development center for entrepreneurship, the first of its kind in the Kingdom, which allows students to interact directly and engage intellectually with both the public and private sectors. It also includes several academic and research centers, most notably the Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the Business Lab, the Case Study Center, and the Executive MBA program.

More than a thousand male and female students have graduated from the college, and its results indicate an improvement in the career path of the graduates, as a large number of them have achieved job increases and administrative promotions, and a percentage of them have reached leadership positions.

Supporting Saudi universities

Prince Mohammed bin Salman has affirmed on more than one occasion the Kingdom’s goal of having two Saudi universities among the top 100 universities globally by 2030. As part of supporting the higher education sector, on 7 Muharram 1445 AH, corresponding to 25 July 2023 AD, he issued a royal decree to form a board of directors for King Saud University, after transforming it into an independent, non-profit academic institution under the umbrella of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, in a step aimed at developing governance and raising the efficiency of academic and research performance.

Combating corruption

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman affirmed that corruption is one of the most significant obstacles to development and prosperity, emphasizing the necessity of holding perpetrators accountable firmly and without leniency, regardless of their status. These directives were translated into practical decisions and measures aimed at strengthening integrity and prosecuting those involved in corruption cases.

The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), in cooperation with government agencies, the private sector, and individuals, has launched investigations into a number of cases related to bribery, abuse of power, money laundering, and forgery, and has conducted thousands of inspection tours across the Kingdom. It has also provided an electronic corruption reporting service and launched the "Our Nation is a Trust" program to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting public funds.

On the 26th and 27th of Jumada al-Ula 1444 AH, corresponding to the 20th and 21st of December 2022 AD, the city of Jeddah hosted the first ministerial meeting of anti-corruption law enforcement agencies in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, under the patronage of the Crown Prince, and with the participation of specialized international organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, in addition to international experts in the field of integrity.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the results of the first three years of the anti-corruption campaign up to 2020, with settlement proceeds amounting to about 247 billion riyals, equivalent to 20% of total non-oil revenues, in addition to other financial assets transferred to the Ministry of Finance.

The State Security Presidency and the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority also organized the Arab Forum for Anti-Corruption Bodies and Financial Investigation Units during the period 7-8 Dhu al-Qi’dah 1445 AH corresponding to 15-16 May 2024 AD, with the participation of about 600 experts and 75 speakers from government agencies and international organizations, with the aim of enhancing cooperation and coordinating efforts to combat financial crimes and exchanging experiences between the competent authorities.

Projects named after him

A number of initiatives and projects in the Kingdom bear the name of Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in recognition of his role in supporting development and progress in various fields, most notably:

• The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques
  was announced in 2018 with the aim of rehabilitating historical mosques and preserving their authentic architectural character, given their religious and historical significance, in addition to highlighting their cultural and social value and utilizing their architectural elements in developing the design of modern mosques.
• The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MiSK)
  was established in 2011 to promote learning and leadership development among young people, nurture talent and creative energies, and contribute to supporting the knowledge economy. The foundation offers a variety of programs and initiatives, including the Elite Program for student development, the Spark Program for supporting entrepreneurs, the Innovation Forum initiative, and the Leaders 2030 Program for preparing young national leaders.
• The non-profit Mohammed bin Salman City in Riyadh is
  an integrated, environmentally friendly, pedestrian-friendly city, designed as a modern model for resource efficiency and sustainability. It includes residential, educational, community, and logistical areas that contribute to improving the quality of life and highlighting the city's civilized character.
• Prince Mohammed bin Salman Park
  is supervised by a specialized institution and is located west of Riyadh near King Abdullah International Gardens. It covers an area of ​​about 22 million square meters and includes residential, commercial and recreational facilities, and contributes to raising the quality of life and enhancing the status of the city of Riyadh globally.
• Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road in Riyadh
  is one of the main roads in the capital, connecting King Khalid Road and Al-Janadriyah Road, and includes within its scope the “Sports Track” project.
• Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Management and Entrepreneurship
  was established to prepare a generation of leaders and entrepreneurs qualified according to global standards, in partnership with international educational and economic bodies, and under the umbrella of the “Misk” Foundation.
• Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Qiddiya
  is one of the projects of Qiddiya Investment Company. It is one of the modern stadiums nominated to host the 2034 World Cup. It will host sports, cultural and artistic events. It is located in the heart of Qiddiya city above the Tuwaiq Mountains at a height of nearly 200 meters, with an advanced architectural and technical design that makes it a tourist and sports attraction.

Saudi Vision 2030

On April 25, 2016 (corresponding to 18 Rajab 1437 AH), Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched "Saudi Vision 2030" as a comprehensive framework for a broad transformation across various sectors of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was presented as a vision for the future, starting from the present, reflecting the aspirations of Saudi society and leveraging the nation's capabilities and potential.

The vision was based on the elements of strength that the Kingdom possesses, represented by its strategic geographical location, its great investment capacity, and its Arab and Islamic depth, with the aim of enhancing its position among the influential countries globally.

The vision was based on three interconnected pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. These pillars work together to achieve comprehensive development goals. It also drew upon the Kingdom's religious significance as the home of the Two Holy Mosques and the Qibla of Muslims, in addition to leveraging its investment power to build a diversified and sustainable economy, and capitalizing on its strategic geographic location to connect Asia, Africa, and Europe, thus strengthening its role as a pivotal hub in international trade.

Goals of Saudi Vision 2030

Saudi Vision 2030 has set a number of ambitious goals, foremost among them the "Vibrant Society" pillar, which focuses on promoting Islamic values, strengthening national identity, serving pilgrims, and improving quality of life, in addition to positioning the Kingdom as a leading and preferred global destination. Within this framework, the Vision aims to raise life expectancy from 74 to 80 years, improve the Kingdom's ranking in the Social Capital Index from 26th to 10th globally, and increase the percentage of people exercising weekly from 13% to 40%.

The goals also included raising household spending on culture and entertainment within the Kingdom from 2.9% to 6%, doubling the number of archaeological sites registered with UNESCO, in addition to increasing the capacity to receive pilgrims from 8 million to 30 million pilgrims annually.

Under the "Prosperous Economy" pillar, the Vision focused on providing economic opportunities for all, aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs, equipping the Kingdom's youth with the skills required for the future, supporting entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and large corporations, and opening new economic sectors that contribute to diversifying income sources and creating jobs. The Vision aimed to increase the contribution of non-oil GDP from 18.7% to 50%, improve the Kingdom's ranking in the Logistics Competitiveness Index from 49th to 25th globally and first regionally, increase foreign direct investment to the global average, and achieve a top-ten ranking in the Global Competitiveness Index. It also included increasing the assets of the Public Investment Fund to more than 7 trillion riyals, increasing local content in the oil and gas sector from 40% to 75%, raising the private sector's contribution to GDP from 40% to 65%, increasing women's participation in the labor market from 22% to 30%, raising the contribution of SMEs from 20% to 35%, and reducing the unemployment rate from 12.3% to 7%.

The “Ambitious Nation” pillar focused on building an effective and highly transparent government, providing a supportive environment for the public, private, and non-profit sectors, and promoting sustainability and protecting vital resources. The vision aimed to increase the non-profit sector's contribution to GDP from less than 1% to 5%, raise the household savings rate from 6% to 11%, position the Kingdom among the top five globally in the e-government index, improve its ranking in the government effectiveness index from 80th to 20th, and increase non-oil government revenues from 162 billion riyals to one trillion riyals annually.

Programs to achieve Saudi Vision 2030

Saudi Vision 2030 included a set of executive programs aimed at translating its objectives into practical reality. Specific initiatives were launched, serving as implementation plans based on clear performance indicators and phased goals. During the initial years, some of these programs were developed and restructured to align with the aspirations of the current phase and the requirements of implementation.

Financial Sector Development Program

As part of the efforts to restructure the national economy, the Financial Sector Development Program was launched in 2018 to support economic growth and enhance the efficiency of the Saudi financial market, and to develop it to keep pace with advanced global markets, while maintaining the stability and strength of the financial sector.

The program aimed to achieve several key indicators by 2025, most notably increasing the total assets of the banking sector to approximately SAR 3.515 trillion, raising the market capitalization of the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) – excluding Aramco – to the equivalent of 80.8% of GDP, and empowering around 230 fintech startups. It also included raising the percentage of SME financing from banks to 11%, increasing total written premiums to 2.4% of non-oil GDP, and raising the percentage of digital payments to 70% through the development of digital infrastructure.

Program achievements

The Financial Sector Development Program achieved several results, most notably supporting innovation and entrepreneurship and creating a suitable regulatory environment for their growth. This was accomplished through indirect lending initiatives exceeding two billion riyals, benefiting approximately 2,300 companies. Furthermore, in 2021, the Saudi Central Bank granted licenses to 18 companies operating in the financial technology sector, a move aimed at supporting this emerging sector.

The Kingdom also witnessed a shift in payment patterns, as electronic payments surpassed cash payments for the first time, reaching 57% during 2021.

Financial Sustainability Program

As part of Saudi Vision 2030's objectives to enhance economic stability, the Fiscal Sustainability Program was launched in 2016 under the name "Achieving Fiscal Balance," and was later restructured to align with current needs. The program has contributed to regulating and developing public finances through the establishment of several specialized entities, most notably the Government Spending and Projects Efficiency Authority, the National Debt Management Center, and the Center for Developing Non-Oil Revenues.

These efforts contributed to reducing the levels of deficit in the general budget, developing non-oil revenues, in addition to raising the efficiency of government operational and capital spending.

Health Sector Transformation Program

The Health Sector Transformation Program is a key component of Saudi Vision 2030. It aims to restructure the health sector into an integrated and comprehensive system focused on improving the health of individuals and the community, including citizens, residents, and visitors. The program emphasizes providing high-quality, value-based healthcare services, while promoting preventative healthcare, general healthcare, and achieving transparency and financial sustainability within the sector.

Program objectives and achievements

The healthcare transformation program aims to facilitate access to healthcare services and improve the quality and efficiency of those services, while also enhancing health risk prevention and improving road safety. It also works to expand health coverage to include 88% of the Kingdom's population by 2025, in addition to implementing a unified digital medical record system to cover all residents of the Kingdom within the same timeframe.

The program achieved several results, most notably that over 90% of patients received emergency medical care within four hours of arriving at the healthcare facility, and that traffic fatalities decreased by 55% over five years. It also launched the world's largest virtual health hospital, offering dozens of specialized services using cutting-edge technologies, and trained over 345,000 volunteers to support healthcare services. Furthermore, the program increased life expectancy in the Kingdom from 74.8 to 75.3 years within four years.

Housing program

The housing program was launched in 2018 to achieve one of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. It aims to enable Saudi families to own suitable housing by providing housing solutions and financing options that match their needs and financial capabilities, in parallel with increasing the supply of housing units with high quality, reasonable cost and shorter implementation period.

The program aims to increase homeownership among citizens to 70% by 2030, provide 40,000 housing units within the developmental housing program for the most vulnerable families by 2025, and raise beneficiary satisfaction with housing services to 80%. It also aims to facilitate 355,000 new financing contracts to support mortgage lending, contribute approximately 157 billion riyals to the GDP, and create more than 38,000 direct jobs for citizens by 2025.

The program achieved several results, including increasing homeownership rates among citizens from 47% to 60% between 2016 and 2020. The waiting period for housing support, which previously reached 15 years, was eliminated, making eligibility immediate through the "Sakani" platform. Housing and financing solutions were provided to approximately 834,000 families. Furthermore, suitable housing was made available to the most vulnerable families through more than 46,000 housing units across the Kingdom.

Human Capacity Development Program

The Human Capacity Development Program was launched in 2021 with the aim of empowering Saudi citizens to acquire skills and knowledge that enhance their global competitiveness. The program focuses on cultivating values, developing essential and future-oriented skills, and building a solid knowledge base starting from early educational stages, thus contributing to preparing national talent for the local and international labor markets.

Program objectives and achievements

The Human Capacity Development Program has set a number of phased targets until 2025, most notably raising the enrollment rate in kindergartens to 40%, including six Saudi universities among the top 200 universities in the world, improving the Kingdom’s ranking to 45th in the Human Capital Index issued by the World Bank, in addition to raising the localization rate of high-skilled jobs to 40%.

The program yielded several results, including the inclusion of Yanbu Industrial City in UNESCO's Global Learning Cities Network, and the Kingdom's advancement to ninth place globally in technical and vocational training according to the 2021 Global Knowledge Index. The virtual kindergarten platform was also developed with educational content suitable for different age groups, and the number of beneficiaries of distance learning increased to approximately 9 million within the Kingdom, with educational broadcasts activated across 23 satellite channels. Furthermore, some 3,700 professional development programs were offered, benefiting more than 420,000 educators, and the rate of scientific publications increased by 120%.

National Industry and Logistics Development Program

The National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) was launched in 2019 to reflect the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in transforming the Kingdom into an industrial powerhouse and a global logistics hub. The program focuses on maximizing the benefits of the energy and mining sectors, enhancing local content, and adopting Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to support economic diversification and increase competitiveness.

The program aims to expedite mining license issuance procedures to less than 60 days, expand geological surveys of the Arabian Shield, improve electricity generation efficiency, increase local content in the oil and gas sectors, establish multiple economic zones across the Kingdom, and enhance the performance of logistics and port services. It also targets the development of pharmaceutical manufacturing, increased aquaculture production, the activation of national centers for Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, and the strengthening of logistics centers related to re-export.

The program achieved several results, most notably reaching a record high of nearly one billion riyals in mining sector revenues and generating over 18 billion riyals in profits through thousands of government tenders up to 2020. The "Made in Saudi Arabia" program was also launched to standardize the branding of national products, the largest geological survey program in the region was inaugurated, and new shipping lines were opened, strengthening the connection of Saudi ports to global markets. Other achievements included increased gas production and capacity, the launch of renewable energy projects, and the commissioning of the Sakaka solar power plant.

National Transformation Program

The National Transformation Program was launched in 2016 as the first executive program of Saudi Vision 2030. It aims to translate the Vision's objectives into reality across several sectors, particularly those related to services provided to citizens. The program focuses on developing infrastructure in the public, private, and non-profit sectors; improving the efficiency of government performance; enhancing digital transformation; supporting private sector growth; expanding economic partnerships; and promoting community development while ensuring the sustainability of vital resources.

The program has set a number of phased targets until 2025, most notably increasing the area of ​​rehabilitated vegetation cover to approximately 86,982 hectares, reaching 600,000 volunteers within the Kingdom, and raising the contribution of the digital economy to the GDP to 19.2%. It also aims to achieve a 92% digital transformation in key government services and increase the volume of foreign direct investment to reach 95.4 billion riyals.

Program achievements

The National Transformation Program contributed to several achievements, with the Kingdom leading the G20 countries as the most advanced in digital competitiveness, and the economic participation rate of Saudi women rising to 35.6%. Water desalination capacity reached a global record of approximately 5.9 million cubic meters per day in 2020.

Volunteer work has witnessed significant growth, with the number of volunteers increasing more than fourteenfold, from about 34,000 to more than 484,000 volunteers between 2016 and 2021. The “Invest in Saudi Arabia” initiative was also launched, and more than 1,278 foreign investment licenses were issued, at a time when the Kingdom had the largest food stock in the Middle East.

On the technological side, the Kingdom has achieved advanced global rankings in 5G networks according to the OpenSignal report for 2022, in addition to allocating seven royal reserves to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity and endangered plants and animals.

Guests of God Service Program

The Guests of God Service Program was launched in 2019 under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and in the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, embodying the Kingdom's longstanding commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and their visitors. The program aims to enable the largest possible number of Muslims to perform Hajj and Umrah rituals with ease and convenience, while working to enhance and enrich their religious and cultural experience.

By 2025, the program aims to increase the capacity to receive 15 million Umrah pilgrims from outside the Kingdom annually, and to develop 15 historical and cultural sites related to the Hajj and Umrah journey, in addition to raising the level of satisfaction of pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims with the services provided to them to reach 85%.

Program achievements

The Guests of God Service Program achieved several results that contributed to facilitating the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and improving their experience. A new visa was launched allowing residents of GCC countries to visit the Kingdom, resulting in a surge in visitors to approximately 56,000 in a single month. Furthermore, electronic visas for Hajj and Umrah were implemented, and the processing time for Umrah visas was reduced from 14 days to just five minutes.

The Makkah Route Initiative has contributed to reducing waiting times for pilgrims at entry points to approximately 15 minutes, alongside the launch of the Comprehensive Health Insurance Initiative for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The development of 40 historical sites and mosques has also commenced, and the Wafadah e-training platform has been established to qualify those serving pilgrims. Furthermore, the transportation experience has improved following the launch of the Haramain High-Speed ​​Railway.

Customization program

As part of engaging the private sector in economic development, the Privatization Program was launched in 2018 under Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to increase the efficiency of government asset operations, improve service quality, and reduce costs. The program seeks to support economic development, enhance competitiveness, attract foreign direct investment, and improve the balance of payments.

Program objectives and achievements

The privatization program set a number of targets until 2025, most notably raising non-oil government revenues to 143 billion riyals, increasing the volume of public-private partnership investments to 62 billion riyals, in addition to achieving savings in the efficiency of government spending through partnership projects worth up to 14 billion riyals.

The program achieved several practical results. The privatization of the flour milling sector was completed through the sale of all shares in the four milling companies to private sector investors. The agreement for the Jubail 3 Independent Water Project was finalized, and the Yanbu 4 project agreement was signed with the winning consortiums. Furthermore, the contracting and financial closure procedures for the first group of projects under the initiative to attract private investment for the construction of educational buildings were completed, and the second group of projects was launched for competitive bidding.

Public Investment Fund Program

Prince Mohammed bin Salman has worked to enhance the Kingdom’s regional and global economic presence through his leadership of the Public Investment Fund program, with the aim of consolidating the Fund’s role as a key driver for diversifying the economy and developing a number of strategic sectors, by expanding the scope of its investments and maximizing their impact, and striving to make it one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world.

By 2025, the program aims to increase assets under management to approximately SAR 4 trillion, inject over SAR 150 billion in new local investments annually, raise the percentage of assets allocated to promising sectors to 21%, and increase the volume of assets invested in global markets to 24%. It also seeks to achieve a cumulative contribution of SAR 1.2 trillion to non-oil GDP, create approximately 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs, raise the local content ratio in the fund's companies to 60%, and increase cumulative non-governmental investments to SAR 1.2 trillion.

Program achievements

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) program achieved several results, with its assets under management increasing significantly between 2016 and 2020, and its assets nearly tripling to approximately SAR 1.5 trillion during the same period. The average annual return to shareholders also rose from around 3% during the period 2014–2016 to 8% during the period 2018–2020.

The Fund’s work witnessed the launch of a number of major projects, most notably NEOM, Qiddiya, the Red Sea, Roshan Group and Diriyah Company, in addition to the establishment of more than 30 new companies in more than ten sectors including entertainment, tourism, military industries, renewable energy and refinancing.

The Fund’s investments have also contributed to supporting the labor market by providing more than 365,000 direct and indirect job opportunities up to the end of 2020.

Quality of Life Program

Saudi Vision 2030 places great emphasis on human well-being. One such program, the Quality of Life Program launched by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs in 2018, aims to improve living standards and enhance cultural, recreational, sporting, and tourism aspects of society. The program seeks to provide more diverse and vibrant lifestyle options, encourage the participation of citizens, residents, and visitors in various activities, support job creation and economic diversification, and improve the ranking of Saudi cities among the world's best.

By 2030, the program aims to have three Saudi cities included among the top 100 most livable cities in the world, increase the number of workers in the cultural sector, raise the level of confidence in security services to 90%, increase the percentage of people who participate in sports activities weekly to 40% of the population, expand recreational facilities, and reach about 1.6 million direct jobs in the tourism sector.

The program achieved a number of results, including providing financial grants to support electronic game developers within the “Game Founders” initiative, and the Kingdom’s advancement to third place in the Arab world in the 2022 Happiness Index. The unified 911 operations center was also launched in the Riyadh, Makkah and Eastern regions, and more than 3,800 entertainment events were organized, attended by more than 80 million people, in addition to registering six Saudi sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and receiving about 67 million tourists during 2021.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman's projects

Neom

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the NEOM project in 2017 as one of the major projects of the Public Investment Fund, leveraging investment capabilities exceeding $500 billion and a strategic geographic location connecting three continents. The project aims to build an advanced model for future cities based on innovation, quality of life, and sustainability.

Located on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba coast, the project spans approximately 26,500 square kilometers and relies entirely on renewable energy sources. It is based on three main pillars: providing an advanced standard of living, creating a thriving business environment, and redefining the concept of sustainability. The project comprises several key zones: Sindalah, The Line, Oxagon, Trogina, and the Gulf of Aqaba.

Sandal

On 11 Jumada al-Ula 1444 AH, corresponding to December 5, 2022 AD, the development of Sindalah Island, located in the Red Sea with an area of ​​approximately 840,000 square meters, was announced, to be a major gateway for marine tourism in the region, and the first luxury tourist destination of NEOM, within a group of islands being developed within the project.

The Line

In early 2021, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced "The Line," a smart city designed with human needs at the heart of urban planning, aiming to meet residents' daily requirements without harming the environment. The city stretches 170 kilometers in length, nearly 200 meters in width, and reaches an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, accommodating nearly 9 million people while preserving 95% of the natural areas within NEOM.

The project is entirely based on renewable energy, provides about 380,000 job opportunities, and is expected to contribute about 180 billion riyals to the GDP by 2030, presenting a global model in sustainability and integration with nature.

Oxagon

The floating industrial city of NEOM, “Oxagon,” was announced on 11 Rabi’ al-Thani 1443 AH, corresponding to November 16, 2021 AD, to be an advanced industrial center that offers a new vision for the future of manufacturing and supply chains, and reshapes work and production environments in ways that rely on modern technologies.

Trogina

On 30 Rajab 1443 AH, corresponding to March 3, 2022 AD, the “Trogina” project was launched as a global destination for mountain tourism that combines nature and modern urban design, and offers diverse experiences for residents and visitors through six different neighborhoods that rely on engineering and architectural innovation.

Trogina is located about 50 kilometers from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, and extends over an area of ​​approximately 60 square kilometers, with elevations ranging between 1500 and 2600 meters above sea level, making it a suitable location for mountain, sports and adventure activities.

Maqna

The “Maqna” project represents the coastal area designated for luxury tourism within NEOM, located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, and includes a range of diverse tourist destinations that aim to provide modern hospitality and entertainment experiences that are compatible with the natural environment.

Liga destination

On October 15, 2023 (corresponding to Rabi' al-Awwal 30, 1445 AH), the development of Lija was announced as a new tourist destination within NEOM. It will feature three hotels and luxury facilities nestled in a natural oasis surrounded by valleys and mountains. The destination offers a variety of tourist and sporting activities and exploration experiences, situated in a historically significant area stretching from the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba in the west to a winding valley between mountains reaching heights of approximately 400 meters, whose topography has been shaped over thousands of years.

Epicon Destination

On 1 Jumada al-Ula 1445 AH, corresponding to November 15, 2023, the development of Epicon was announced. This luxury tourist destination, designed according to sustainability standards, is located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. It comprises two towers, 225 meters and 275 meters high, housing an ultra-luxury hotel with 41 tourist apartments and a collection of suites and luxury residences, in addition to a nearby resort featuring 120 rooms and 45 beachfront villas.

Sirana Destination

On 15 Jumada Al-Awwal 1445 AH, corresponding to November 29, 2023 AD, “Serana” was announced as one of NEOM’s modern coastal destinations, offering a luxury beachfront accommodation style, and reflecting the project’s commitment to the concepts of sustainability and preserving the natural environment.

Otamu Destination

On December 13, 2023 (corresponding to 29 Jumada al-Ula 1445 AH), the development of Utamo, an arts and entertainment destination, was announced. Utamo aims to host creative events and international artists. Nestled among the mountains overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba, the destination will offer a completely different entertainment experience, within a unique natural environment that supports innovative performances and activities.

Nurlana Destination

On 14 Jumada al-Thani 1445 AH, corresponding to December 27, 2023, "Nurlana" was announced. This modern residential complex is designed as a center for health and rejuvenation. Located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, the project offers an integrated environment for sustainable and healthy living, accommodating approximately 3,000 residents with state-of-the-art facilities and technologies that support a balanced lifestyle.

Aquilm Destination

On January 10, 2024 (corresponding to 28 Jumada al-Thani 1445 AH), "Aquilem" was announced. This destination is located within a mountain range reaching a height of approximately 450 meters. Its design is based on the concept of future communities, representing a sophisticated digital community hidden underground, combining urban innovation with modern technologies.

Zardon Destination

On 12 Rajab 1445 AH, corresponding to 24 January 2024 AD, “Zardoon” was unveiled, a luxury resort consisting of four high-level buildings, designed in a way that harmonizes with the surrounding nature, to offer an experience that combines luxury and the preservation of the natural environment.

Zenor Destination

On February 7, 2024 (corresponding to 26 Rajab 1445 AH), the development of "Zenor" was announced. This tourism project targets visitors seeking high levels of luxury. The destination boasts a unique coastal location, offering exclusive experiences and upscale accommodations, benefiting from direct beach access and providing privacy and high-quality tourism services.

The destination of the anna

On 11 Sha'ban 1445 AH (February 21, 2024), Al-Anan was unveiled. This destination is situated where the sea meets the mountains, overlooking a verdant oasis nourished by ancient natural springs. The resort features approximately 80 rooms and suites, and its design focuses on providing a complete luxury experience within a tranquil natural setting.

Qaiduri's destination

On March 6, 2024 (corresponding to 25 Sha'ban 1445 AH), "Qayduri," a coastal leisure destination for golf enthusiasts, was announced. The project features a central, elevated building overlooking the sea, comprising 190 apartments with sea views, in addition to a variety of tourist and recreational facilities and experiences.

Triam Destination

On the 10th of Ramadan 1445 AH (March 20, 2024), the "Triam" project was announced. This destination is situated where the desert landscape meets a turquoise lake in the southern Gulf of Aqaba. The project includes an innovatively designed resort, the most prominent feature of which is a 450-meter-long bridge connecting the northern and southern shores of the lake, offering visitors panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Jamour Destination

On May 8, 2024 (corresponding to 29 Shawwal 1445 AH), the development of "Jamur" was announced. This coastal destination, located on the Gulf of Aqaba, will feature a specialized marine science center and an international school. Designed to harmonize with the surrounding natural landscape, it will accommodate approximately 6,000 residents and include nearly 500 marina-view apartments and around 700 villas.

New Square Project

On February 16, 2023 (corresponding to 25 Rajab 1444 AH), Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of the "New Square" project, envisioned as the world's largest modern urban center in the heart of Riyadh. The project aims to enhance the quality of life and promote cultural and recreational activities. It includes an innovative museum, a university specializing in technology and design, a multi-purpose theater, and more than 80 venues for live performances and events.

The project, spanning 19 square kilometers and boasting a floor area exceeding 25 million square meters, is one of the Public Investment Fund's developments. It will include 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hospitality units, over 980,000 square meters of retail space, approximately 1.4 million square meters of office space, 620,000 square meters of recreational facilities, and 1.8 million square meters of community amenities.

Al-Sawda Peaks Project

On 10 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1445 AH, corresponding to September 25, 2023 AD, the master plan for the development of Al-Soudah and parts of the Rijal Alma’a Governorate was announced under the name “Al-Soudah Peaks”, with the aim of creating a luxury mountain tourist destination on the highest peak in the Kingdom, reaching a height of 3015 meters above sea level in the Asir region, as part of efforts to support promising tourism sectors and develop the region.

The project aims to attract two million visitors annually and incorporates local architectural design elements. It comprises six main zones: Tahleel, Sahab, Sabra, Green, Rijal, and Al-Sakhra Al-Hamra. Its facilities include luxury hotels and mountain resorts, residential units with scenic views, upscale retail outlets, and sports, cultural, and entertainment attractions. Plans are in place to develop 2,700 hotel rooms, 1,336 residential units, and 80,000 square meters of retail space by 2033, with the first phase scheduled for completion in 2027.

Red Sea Project

The tourism sector has received significant attention within the National Transformation Program, with the Red Sea Project being one of the most prominent global tourism projects announced on July 31, 2017 (corresponding to 8 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1438 AH). Located between the cities of Umluj and Al Wajh, the project encompasses approximately 28,000 square kilometers of pristine land and natural lakes, and includes an archipelago of more than 90 islands. The project features hotels, residential units, cultural and heritage sites, and diverse recreational facilities.

It is located near nature reserves and the historic site of Al-Hijr (Madain Saleh), and also includes the Red Sea International Airport, the agricultural nursery, the solid waste management center, multiple hospitality destinations, in addition to a major health center and an integrated tourist village.

Amala Project

As part of efforts to highlight the Kingdom's tourism potential, the Public Investment Fund launched the "Amaala Project" on September 26, 2018 (corresponding to 16 Muharram 1440 AH), envisioning it as an ultra-luxury tourism destination on the Red Sea coast. The project offers specialized experiences that combine art, culture, wellness, and health.

The project consists of three main areas: Triple Bay, the Coast and the Island. It extends over an area of ​​approximately 4,155 square kilometers, includes more than 900 residential units and 3,000 hotel rooms, and aims to receive more than 500,000 visitors annually.

Roshan Project

In its commitment to strengthening partnerships with the private sector and increasing homeownership rates, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) launched Roshen on August 19, 2020 (corresponding to 29 Dhu al-Hijjah 1441 AH). Roshen specializes in developing modern residential neighborhoods according to advanced architectural standards. Its projects aim to provide integrated residential communities that meet the needs of Saudi society and contribute to achieving the goal of raising homeownership rates to 70% among Saudi citizens, as outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.

Roshan's projects cover an area exceeding 200 million square meters in various regions of the Kingdom.

Qiddiya

As part of efforts to develop the entertainment sector and improve quality of life, the Qiddiya project was announced on April 7, 2017 (corresponding to 10 Rajab 1438 AH) through the Public Investment Fund. The project is considered one of the Kingdom's most prominent entertainment, sports, and cultural destinations, encompassing the Six Flags Qiddiya theme park, the Jack Nicholas Golf Course, the Qiddiya Stadium, a water park, a speed park, and numerous facilities for events and activities.

The project is located on an area of ​​approximately 367 square kilometers, and in its early years it contributed to providing job opportunities for young men and women. It also launched training programs in cooperation with the Misk Foundation, and an international scholarship program in cooperation with the General Entertainment Authority to qualify national cadres.

On 23 Jumada al-Ula 1445 AH, corresponding to December 7, 2023 AD, the urban plan and global brand for Qiddiya City were announced. It will include about 60,000 buildings on an area of ​​approximately 360 square kilometers, and is expected to accommodate about 600,000 people, provide about 325,000 quality jobs, and contribute about 135 billion riyals to the gross domestic product, with a target of receiving 48 million visits annually.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques

Historic mosques have received special attention as part of the Kingdom's Islamic and architectural heritage. In Rabi' al-Awwal 1440 AH (November 2018), a project was launched to rehabilitate and restore 130 mosques in various regions. The first phase included the restoration of 30 mosques at a cost of approximately 50 million riyals, carried out by specialized Saudi companies and supervised by local engineers, while preserving the original architectural character of each mosque and highlighting its cultural and historical value.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Non-Profit City

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman presented a new global model for developing the non-profit sector by launching the world's first non-profit city on 9 Rabi' al-Thani 1443 AH, corresponding to November 14, 2021. The city aims to embrace youth and volunteer initiatives, as well as local and international non-profit organizations, and to provide training programs, development opportunities, and diverse services that contribute to creating an attractive environment for beneficiaries and those working in this sector.

The city encompasses a collection of academies, colleges, and Misk Schools, in addition to a conference center, a science museum, and an innovation center that supports the aspirations of innovators in advanced technology fields such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and robotics. It also features institutes, galleries, theaters, an entertainment area, a culinary arts institute, and an integrated residential complex. Located in the Arqa district of Riyadh, along the banks of Wadi Hanifa, the city covers an area of ​​approximately 3.4 square kilometers and attracts entrepreneurs and investors with a strong commitment to social responsibility from around the world.

"Journey Through Time" plan

As part of Saudi Vision 2030’s commitment to protecting natural and human heritage, the design vision for the “Journey Through Time” project was announced within the framework of the Al-Ula Development Program, with the aim of creating the world’s largest living museum and highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural dimension at the international level.

The plan includes a comprehensive initiative to sustainably revitalize cultural and natural oases, reflecting a human and natural history spanning approximately 200,000 years in the AlUla region. The project encompasses five urban development centers, five archaeological sites, fifteen cultural facilities, over five thousand hotel rooms, and a cultural oasis stretching nearly nine kilometers.

Downtown Saudi Arabia

Continuing efforts to develop the Kingdom's regions in accordance with the economic and cultural characteristics of each, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the establishment of Downtown Saudi Arabia on October 3, 2022 (7 Rabi' al-Awwal 1444 AH). The company aims to create urban centers and mixed-use destinations in several cities, with the goal of modernizing urban infrastructure and strengthening partnerships with the private sector and investors by offering investment opportunities in business, retail, tourism, entertainment, and housing.

The company is developing over 10 million square meters of land in 12 cities: Medina, Al-Khobar, Al-Ahsa, Buraidah, Najran, Jazan, Hail, Al-Baha, Arar, Taif, Dumat Al-Jandal, and Tabuk. The design of these projects blends modern architectural styles with the local identity of each region, while adhering to the latest planning and engineering standards.

Special Economic Zones

As part of efforts to diversify the economy and improve the investment climate, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched four special economic zones on Ramadan 22, 1444 AH (April 13, 2023), located in Riyadh, Jazan, Ras Al-Khair, and King Abdullah Economic City north of Jeddah. These zones were designed to leverage the comparative advantages of each location to support strategic sectors such as logistics, industry, technology, and other priority areas.

These zones provide integrated industrial and logistics platforms, offering investors a competitive business environment and contributing to the Kingdom's position as a trade gateway between East and West and a pivotal hub for the Middle East and Africa. They also offer significant opportunities for local economic growth, job creation, knowledge transfer, and industrial localization, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Combating extremism and terrorism

On December 15, 2015 (corresponding to Rabi' al-Awwal 4, 1437 AH), Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the establishment of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), a comprehensive framework for coordinating efforts among Islamic countries in combating extremism in all its forms. The coalition aimed to unify military, political, economic, intellectual, and media efforts, as well as support international cooperation to maintain global security and stability. It also sought to establish a shared database for counterterrorism programs and to leverage best practices from countries and international organizations. The coalition comprised 41 member states.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman also chairs the Board of Trustees of the Center for Intellectual Warfare, affiliated with the Ministry of Defense, which was launched on 4 Sha'ban 1438 AH, corresponding to April 30, 2017. The center works to counter extremist rhetoric by exposing the fallacies and misconceptions promoted by terrorist groups, analyzing their recruitment methods, and fortifying youth with preventative and remedial programs, while highlighting the true image of Islam based on moderation and centrism, both within and outside the Muslim world.

Leading historic summits and initiatives

Throughout his leadership career, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has chaired numerous regional and international summits and initiatives aimed at serving the Kingdom's interests and promoting stability and development in the region and the world. These initiatives have been diverse, and among the most prominent are the Future Investment Initiative, the 2021 Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, the Green Middle East Summit, the Jeddah Summit on Security and Development, and the 2023 Arab Summit.

Future Investment Initiative

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Future Investment Initiative on October 24, 2017 (corresponding to 4 Safar 1439 AH), establishing it as an international platform that brings together business leaders, investors, and decision-makers to discuss the future of the global economy and investment opportunities in the coming decades. The initiative is held annually in Riyadh under the auspices of the Public Investment Fund and has become known internationally as “Davos in the Desert.”.

The initiative began as a global economic forum focused on investing in promising technologies and solutions. By royal decree on 29 Safar 1441 AH (October 28, 2019), it was transformed into an independent, non-profit international organization with an investment arm. Its work focuses on several vital areas, most notably education, artificial intelligence and robotics, healthcare, and sustainability, in addition to supporting the principles of environmental, social, and governance (ESG). The Future Investment Initiative Foundation also works to launch international projects and initiatives, and prepares reports and dialogue platforms aimed at building a more sustainable global economy and serving the future of humanity.

Gulf Cooperation Council Summit 2021 (Al-Ula Summit)

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, held in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia, on January 5, 2021 (corresponding to 21 Jumada al-Awwal 1442 AH). The summit was known as the “Al-Ula Summit” and was also named the “Sultan Qaboos and Sheikh Sabah Summit” in recognition of the late leaders’ efforts in supporting joint Gulf action.

The summit issued the “Al-Ula Declaration,” which emphasized the importance of strengthening Gulf unity and unifying political positions among member states, contributing to stability in the Gulf, the Arab region, and the Islamic world, strengthening the regional and international role of the Council, consolidating fraternal relations among the peoples of its member states, and supporting the aspirations of Gulf citizens for greater cooperation and integration.

Middle East Green Initiative Summit

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the Green Middle East Initiative as the first regional environmental framework focused on the Middle East and North Africa, aiming to address the challenges of climate change and establish a practical roadmap for joint environmental action. The initiative seeks to expand climate initiatives through regional cooperation and capitalize on economic opportunities related to clean energy and environmental transition, aligning with global efforts to protect the climate.

Riyadh hosted the inaugural Middle East Green Initiative Summit on October 25, 2021 (corresponding to Rabi' al-Awwal 19, 1443 AH), where participating leaders emphasized the need for coordinated international efforts to mitigate global warming and strengthen collective environmental action. Since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, the Crown Prince has focused on achieving a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability by expanding renewable energy sources and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future.

Jeddah Summit for Security and Development

Prince Mohammed bin Salman opened and chaired the Jeddah Summit on Security and Development. The summit discussed the most prominent international challenges and ways to address them collectively, while emphasizing respect for the sovereignty of countries and non-interference in their internal affairs, and strengthening international cooperation to achieve food and health security and support the recovery of the global economy, in addition to the importance of energy security and the stability of its markets.

The summit coincided with US President Joe Biden's first visit to Saudi Arabia and was attended by leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, along with Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and the United States. The summit was held in Jeddah on 17 Dhu al-Hijjah 1443 AH, corresponding to July 16, 2022.

Arab Summit 2023

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the 32nd regular session of the Arab Summit, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to ongoing consultation and coordination among Arab states on shared issues and to strengthening communication between their leaders. The summit was held in Jeddah on 29 Shawwal 1444 AH, corresponding to 19 May 2023, with the participation of Arab leaders and heads of delegations to the League of Arab States.

The summit witnessed Syria's return to its seat in the Arab League for the first time since the outbreak of the civil war. It also addressed a range of regional issues and emphasized the importance of Arab solidarity and joint action to maintain the region's security and stability. Furthermore, it focused on unifying positions in the face of challenges, leveraging the human and economic potential of Arab states, and strengthening partnerships and cooperation to serve the interests of the region's peoples.

Riyadh Summit between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

On 5 Rabi’ al-Thani 1445 AH, corresponding to 20 October 2023 AD, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, chaired the Riyadh Summit between the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) , which was held in Riyadh in the presence of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the leaders of the Gulf States, the leaders of the ASEAN States, and the Secretaries-General of the Council and the Association.

The summit issued a joint statement welcoming the accession of all GCC member states to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with ASEAN, a move reflecting the depth of historical relations and shared interests between the two sides. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, and discussed ways to develop the partnership, enhance economic and developmental cooperation, and capitalize on growth opportunities between the two vital regions, based on shared visions grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and the values ​​of international cooperation.

Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit

On 27 Rabi' al-Thani 1445 AH, corresponding to November 11, 2023, Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired and inaugurated the Extraordinary Joint Arab-Islamic Summit on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The summit was convened in response to the exceptional circumstances surrounding the Palestinian cause, following consultations between the Kingdom and the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as an alternative to the Extraordinary Arab Summit and the Extraordinary Islamic Summit that had been scheduled for the same date.

At the conclusion of the summit, a joint statement was issued in which the leaders of the countries and governments of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States stressed their condemnation of the Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the need to address the resulting humanitarian catastrophe. They also emphasized the need to stop illegal Israeli practices and to work to enable the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate rights, foremost among them their right to freedom and the establishment of their independent and sovereign state.

One Water Summit

The One Water Summit was held in Riyadh on 2 Jumada al-Thani 1446 AH, corresponding to 3 December 2024 AD. It was convened to discuss the environmental challenges related to water scarcity and drought, in conjunction with the sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP16), which was hosted by the Saudi capital.

The summit was opened by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and its proceedings were co-chaired by His Highness, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and President of the World Bank Ajay Bangsa, within the framework of international cooperation aimed at uniting efforts to address water issues globally.

During his speech at the summit, the Crown Prince announced the establishment of a global water organization based in Riyadh, which will coordinate and integrate the efforts of countries and international organizations to address water challenges in a comprehensive and sustainable manner.

Social and charitable activities of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Prince Mohammed bin Salman has established several initiatives and non-profit organizations aimed at serving the community and developing human capital. Among the most prominent is the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (MiSK), founded in 2011, which seeks to build a knowledge-based society by empowering young people across the Kingdom. The Foundation focuses primarily on education and entrepreneurship, in addition to supporting science and technology, while also emphasizing leadership development and encouraging youth to learn, innovate, and create better future opportunities for their nation. It also works to nurture talent and innovative potential through training programs and partnerships with local and international organizations.

In Rabi' al-Thani 1443 AH (November 2021), His Royal Highness announced the establishment of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Non-Profit City, an extension of the goals of the Misk Foundation. It is the first non-profit city of its kind globally, aiming to develop the non-profit sector and support volunteer and youth associations, as well as local and international organizations. It also seeks to attract social impact investors and venture capital. The city is located in the Arqa district, along the Wadi Hanifa in Riyadh, covering an area of ​​approximately 3.4 square kilometers, with over 44% dedicated to open green spaces, supporting the concept of sustainability.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman also participated in chairing and supporting a number of charitable and social organizations, including the Board of Trustees of the King Salman Youth Center, the Board of Directors of Riyadh Non-Profit Schools, and the Vice Chairman of the King Salman Charitable Housing Association. He is also a member of the Supreme Coordinating Council for Charitable Societies in the Riyadh Region, the Board of Directors of the Riyadh Charitable Society for Memorizing the Holy Quran, and the Board of Directors of the Riyadh Charity Association. He is also one of the founders of the Ibn Baz Charitable Society for Facilitating Marriage and Family Care. The "Sanad" program, which he supports, stands out as one of the most impactful social initiatives, providing support and assistance to young people preparing for marriage.

Media appearances of Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conducted a number of media interviews that garnered widespread attention both locally and internationally, during which he addressed the objectives, programs, and achievements of Saudi Vision 2030 in a direct and clear manner. These interviews were characterized by transparency and reliance on economic figures, indicators, and statistical data to explain the directions and projects associated with the Vision.

Al Arabiya TV interview (2016)

Coinciding with the announcement of Saudi Vision 2030, Prince Mohammed bin Salman—then Deputy Crown Prince—appeared in a televised interview on Al Arabiya channel with journalist Turki Al-Dakhil on 18 Rajab 1437 AH, corresponding to April 25, 2016. During the interview, he reviewed the details and pillars of the vision, discussed the strengths of the Saudi economy, and explained the reasons for offering a portion of Saudi Aramco's shares for public subscription. He also spoke about opportunities to develop the tourism sector, announced the establishment of a holding company for military industries, and highlighted the Kingdom's position among the top military spenders.

Saudi Channel Interview (2017)

A year after the launch of the Vision, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared in a televised interview with journalist Dawood Al-Sharyan in 2017, broadcast on Saudi channels and the MBC network. The interview focused on explaining the programs of Saudi Vision 2030, outlining its implementation in three phases: the first from the Vision's launch until 2020, the second until 2025, and finally the third until 2030. He also addressed several key issues, including the National Transformation Program, unemployment rates, diversifying non-oil revenue sources, the future of the Public Investment Fund, localizing the automotive industry, developing ports and the King Salman Causeway, privatizing certain sectors, and the role of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority. In addition, he discussed regional political issues and international relations.

Saudi Channel Interview (2021)

On the 16th of Ramadan 1442 AH (April 28, 2021), an interview with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, conducted by journalist Abdullah Al-Mudayfer, was broadcast on Saudi TV and several other Arab channels. The interview, which marked the fifth anniversary of the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, focused on the achievements made during that period, particularly in diversifying non-oil revenue streams and addressing several structural challenges. The discussion also covered the development of institutional and legislative infrastructure, the formulation of public policies, and the empowerment of various initiatives. It was emphasized that the next phase of the Vision would focus on monitoring implementation and enhancing the participation of the private sector and citizens to drive the development process.

The Line (2023) documentary

On June 26, 2023 (corresponding to Dhu al-Hijjah 8, 1444 AH), the American Discovery Channel aired a documentary titled "The Line," exploring the concept of future cities and their development potential, with a focus on "The Line" city project. Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared in the documentary, discussing the city's purpose and its potential contributions to the Kingdom and the world. He explained the Kingdom's ambition to reimagine the city in the 21st century and build an innovative urban model for the future. He also elaborated on the concept of utilizing untapped natural spaces, the city's design process and capacity, and the steps taken prior to its final design approval. He called for the adoption of new urban models that contribute to a better future for both people and the environment.

Interview with Fox News (2023)

On September 21, 2023 (corresponding to Rabi' al-Awwal 6, 1445 AH), Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appeared in a televised interview with journalist Bret Baier on Fox News. The interview, broadcast from Neom, covered the future of Saudi Arabia, Saudi-American relations, and key regional and international developments.

During the meeting, Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and its economic goals, noting that the Kingdom had achieved the fastest GDP growth among the G20 countries for two consecutive years. He also spoke about the rapprochement with Iran, the India-Europe economic integration project, and the talks with the United States regarding the Palestinian issue and relations with Israel, emphasizing that the anticipated agreements with the United States would be mutually beneficial to both countries and contribute to supporting regional and global security.

Medals and honors received by Prince Mohammed bin Salman

badges

Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received a number of medals and awards from various countries and organizations, in recognition of his political role, international relations, and contributions to strengthening regional and international cooperation.

In 2018, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain awarded him the Order of Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, First Class, in recognition of his efforts in strengthening Saudi-Bahraini relations. That same year, the late Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi bestowed upon him the highest honor in the Republic of Tunisia in recognition of his role in developing relations between the two countries.

In 2019, he was awarded the highest civilian award in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan by its president. In 2021, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq bestowed upon him the Order of Oman, First Class, one of Oman's highest honors, awarded to heads of state in recognition of fraternal relations and joint cooperation. That same year, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on behalf of the President of the United Arab Emirates, presented him with the Order of Zayed, First Class. The Emir of Kuwait also awarded him the Order of Kuwait and the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Medal in appreciation of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between the two countries.

On June 21, 2022, King Abdullah II of Jordan presented the Crown Prince with the Order of Hussein bin Ali, the highest civilian honor in Jordan, in recognition of the historical ties between the two countries. On November 19, 2022, he received an honorary doctorate from Kasetsart University in Thailand in the field of Earth Sciences and Sustainable Development.

In 2024, the President of the Arab Parliament awarded him the “Leader” medal, in recognition of his supportive stances on Arab issues and his efforts to promote joint Arab action.

Honors

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received numerous awards and accolades at regional and international forums in recognition of his leadership and support for youth and entrepreneurship. In 2013, Forbes Middle East the Leadership of the Year award , in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Salman Youth Center.

In 2015, Policy one of the world's most influential leaders in its annual list of the top 100 global thinkers. Time named him Person of the Year for 2017 Forbes included him in its list of global change leaders for 2017 .

Prominent statements by Prince Mohammed bin Salman

During a dialogue session at the Future Investment Initiative, the Crown Prince discussed his vision for the future of the region, speaking about the development of the Gulf states and their future plans, in addition to a number of Arab countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon. He made statements that gained widespread attention, most notably:

"The new Europe is the Middle East.".

"This is the Saudis' war, this is my war that I am fighting personally, and I do not want to leave this life without seeing the Middle East among the nations of the world.".

“We have a mountain that we always use as an example, called Mount Tuwaiq. The Saudis have an ambition like this mountain. The ambition of the Saudis will not be broken unless this mountain collapses and is leveled to the ground.”.