Saudi Arabia celebrates its achievements on its national day
Under the slogan ‘We Dream and We Achieve’, Saudi Arabia celebrates its 94th National Day amidst a national landscape marked by development, prosperity and progress. This celebration also coincides with the social, cultural, economic and scientific renaissance that the Kingdom is experiencing thanks to the Vision 2030 initiative.
This project, which seeks to reduce the country's dependence on oil by diversifying its economy, also coincides with Riyadh's growing regional and international influence and strengthening of its leadership.
Due to the success of recent years, there has been talk of a ‘new Saudi Arabia’, thanks to historical reforms and development based on a roadmap leading to a comprehensive renaissance in various fields within Vision 2030.
The path towards these goals and objectives was presented by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a few days ago, confirming that many of the goals of this vision had been achieved at the national and global level.
According to the Saudi leader, the country is moving forward ‘with optimism and confidence’ in order to ‘achieve its goals, according to a comprehensive and integrated approach based on careful review and prioritisation’.
‘Our country has made many fundamental achievements during this great journey,’ he added, recalling that the non-oil sectors recorded their highest contribution to real GDP at 50 per cent last year, enhancing sustainability, broadening growth and achieving high-quality economic diversification.
In tourism, for example, the achievements set by the national tourism strategy launched in 2019 were exceeded, while the Kingdom ranked sixteenth among the most competitive countries and, with the exploration of natural resources, the Kingdom has become one of the largest natural resource deposits in the world.
Saudi Arabia has also achieved an advanced position in the field of renewable energy and has become one of the most active regional and international players.
Many of these goals have been achieved thanks to the Public Investment Fund, an agency that will continue to play a key role in achieving national goals.
Domestically, unemployment registered at its lowest level in the first quarter of 2024, reaching 7.6% after its rate was 12.8% in 2017. On the other hand, the percentage of home ownership among citizens increased by more than 63 per cent this year.
Mohammed bin Salman affirmed that as a result of its achievements and vision, the Kingdom enjoys a global trust that has made it one of the top destinations for global centres and major companies, noting the opening of the International Monetary Fund's regional centre and other centres for multiple international activities related to sports, investment and culture.
All these factors contributed to the Kingdom being chosen to host Expo 2030 and the World Cup in 2034.
In terms of the Kingdom's foreign policy, the Crown Prince stressed his commitment to the Palestinian people, assuring that he will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until a Palestinian state is achieved.
He also underlined the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing regional and international security and peace, promoting efforts to reach political solutions to the crises in Yemen, Sudan and Libya, as well as supporting solutions to international crises such as the war in Ukraine.
Riyadh has organised international and regional summits aimed at supporting stability and prosperity, strengthening cooperation at all levels. In this regard, the first Gulf summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stands out.
Also, in terms of strengthening partnerships, the Saudi capital hosted the first Saudi-African summit on 10 November, at which the ‘Riyadh Declaration’ was issued with the aim of boosting cooperation.
In terms of its efforts to resolve regional and international crises, on 11 November Saudi Arabia hosted the emergency Arab-Islamic summit on Gaza. The Kingdom, together with Switzerland, also hosted talks on Sudan last August that agreed on practical steps regarding humanitarian access and the protection of civilians.
