Mohammed bin Salman, much more than a birthday

His figure has become inextricably linked to Vision 2030, which has become synonymous with modernization, economic diversification, and international openness. Thus, the prince's birthday symbolizes not only the arrival of a leader, but also the emergence of a country that is opening its arms to the world, heralding a “new Europe” in the heart of the Middle East.

Since his emergence on the political scene, Mohammed bin Salman has promoted a project that transcends the limits of traditional management. With Vision 2030, he sought to reduce dependence on oil and place citizens at the center of the national agenda. 

Education, health, employment, and quality of life became priorities in a model that aims to reconfigure the social and economic structure of the Kingdom. Megaprojects such as Neom, Qiddiya, and Riyadh Green are tangible expressions of this commitment to comprehensive development.

However, the strategy has not been limited to the domestic sphere. In foreign policy, the crown prince has projected Saudi Arabia as a global player capable of influencing beyond the energy markets.

Investments in Europe, agreements in Asia, the opening up of tourism, and cultural and sports diplomacy are all part of a vision aimed at turning the country into a balancing force in a changing world. The organization of international summits and active participation in the G20 reinforce these aspirations for leadership.

The fight against extremism is another fundamental pillar of his career. Mohammed bin Salman has promoted a discourse of moderate Islam, open to the world and based on values of tolerance, while his security policies have consolidated the Kingdom's stability in a regional environment marked by instability. For the international community, this aspect is crucial, linked to global challenges in terms of security and coexistence.

In the Saudi narrative, the crown prince's birthday is presented as a true “birth of the homeland.” It is not just a personal milestone, but a symbol of the new direction of a country seeking to redefine its identity in the 21st century: more open, more diverse, and more influential on the international stage.

The challenge now lies in consolidating the achievements made and managing the tensions inherent in such a rapid pace of change: the transition to a post-oil economy, social and cultural adaptation, and the difficult balance between openness and tradition. 

For Europe, and particularly for Spain, closely following these transformations is an opportunity to better understand a strategic partner in the Mediterranean and in the global economy.

In short, August 31 is not only the Saudi crown prince's birthday, but also a reminder that the Kingdom's future depends on its ability to translate Vision 2030 into tangible results.

Mohammed bin Salman's leadership is set to leave a lasting mark on the region and the world, projecting Saudi Arabia as a center of influence and a beacon of peace that humanity so desperately craves.

Dr. Hasan Alnajrani. Journalist and academic.