"Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud introduced the 2030 vision for Saudi Arabia, which involves a deep restructuring of the kingdom's economic and social structure, focusing on environmentally friendly technologies and moving away from an oil-dependent economy."

Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, also known as MBS, is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the architect of the 2030 vision, which aims to improve the quality of life for citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia and enhance its global competitiveness.

MBS' comprehensive plan for Saudi Arabia's development is called Vision 2030, launched in 2016 to drive economic, civilizational, political, and technological progress in the Kingdom.

"Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud's 2030 vision for Saudi Arabia prioritizes economic development, modernization, and liberalization, while also promoting social reforms such as women's empowerment and religious moderation."

Mohammed bin Salman launched Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision in April 2016.

"Mohammed bin Salman's plan for Saudi Arabia's development is Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy, create jobs, and promote foreign investment."

The main economic goal of MBS's 2030 vision is to diversify Saudi Arabia's income sources and reduce its dependence on crude oil revenue.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is supporting MBS's vision for Saudi Arabia's future, which includes significant economic and social reforms.

Mohammed bin Salman has been the crown prince of Saudi Arabia for six years.

"Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud is leading the efforts of reform and development in Saudi Arabia, introducing various social and economic reforms as part of his 2030 vision for the country."

The NEOM project is an example of a pioneering project in Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision, aiming to reshape the country's economy and image.

The industrial sector is a key focus of MBS's economic reforms, aiming to diversify the industrial base and value chains.

"Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud introduced the 2030 vision for Saudi Arabia, which involves a deep restructuring of the kingdom's economic and social structure, focusing on environmentally friendly technologies and moving away from an oil-dependent economy."

Title:

Content: Ribbon
October 29 20: 47
All news
Federal News Agency /
Riyadh, October 29.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has announced his bid to host Expo 2030 under the slogan “Era of Change ”.
“We live in an era of change and face an unprecedented need for collective action by all of humanity.
It is clear that the whole world, as a collective, needs to work together to foresee the future and solve the problems with their minds, using the opportunities arising from this, ” he said in a letter to the International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE).
It is noteworthy that the timing of the exhibition coincides with the culmination of the Saudi program “Vision 2030 ”, which implies a deep restructuring of the economic and social structure of the kingdom with a focus on environmentally friendly technologies and the rejection of the oil-dependent model of the economy.
According to the crown prince, Expo 2030 could be “an exceptional opportunity to share with the world the lessons of this unprecedented transformation. ”
The letter was sent to Paris to the General Secretary (BIE) Dmitry Kerkentes.
The application will be supported by the Royal Commission of the City of Riyadh under the personal supervision of its Executive Director Fahdom Al Rashid.
“This vision reflects the Kingdom ’ s ambition for the future; a vision aimed at harnessing the boundless energy of youth to create a sustainable future for the benefit of the next generations, where all citizens advance their dreams, exceed their hopes and go beyond their own ambitions, ” continued Mohammed bin Salman.
The international exhibition itself will be held from October 1, 2030 to April 1, 2031.
To date, applications for its conduct — in addition to Saudi Arabia — filed Russia, South Korea, Italy, Ukraine.
The Kingdom has been participating in the Expo since 1958.
In 2008, the Saudi pavilion received a silver design award and a gold design award in 2010.
The current international exhibition "Expo 2020" is held in Dubai (United Arab Emirates - UAE) and will last until April 1, 2022.
Due to the pandemic, the organizers were forced to postpone its beginning to 2021, but the name was left for marketing reasons.
The slogan remained intact: “Connecting minds, creating the future. ”
The large-scale exhibition complex was built from scratch on an area of 4.3 square kilometers in eight years, which cost the UAE budget $6.8 billion.
International exhibitions have been held since 1851 with the participation of most recognized countries of the world.
This year, 192 countries are represented.
In order to attract investments, participating countries exhibit their advanced achievements in the field of science, culture, industry, technology, etc.
Expo 2025 will be held in Osaka, Japan, under the motto “Creating a society of the future for our lives ” from April 13 to October 13, 2025.
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How has Saudi Arabia diversified its economy under Vision 2030?

Growth in technology
Growth in renewable energy

To drive development in renewable energy

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To lessen reliance on oil.
To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, also known as MBS, is the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the architect of the 2030 vision, which aims to improve the quality of life for citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia and enhance its global competitiveness.

Title:

Content: UAE participates with Saudi Arabia in its 93rd National Day celebrations
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE), its sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is participating in its celebrations of its 93rd National Day, which falls on September 23, amid a great official and popular welcome on the occasion.
The two brotherly countries combine aspirations for a single future shaped by development visions aimed at providing all means of stability, development and prosperity for the peoples of the two countries and creating a prosperous future for future generations based on firm fundamentals, common cultural and social fabric, history, goals and aspirations. and common visions.
Bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries have been strengthened thanks to the efforts of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and King Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and extended to reach full partnership under the visions of the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The leaderships of the two countries, headed by President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, continue to strengthen these relations and ensure that they are elevated to the highest levels.
The strong bilateral relations between the two countries constitute a fundamental support for the distinguished brotherly relations between the GCC countries, and a key component for stability and stimulating sustainable development and prosperity in the region and at the regional and global levels.
The fruitful relations between the two countries reflected positively on the reality of comprehensive and sustainable development in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in various fields, including trade exchange, economic cooperation, joint investment, coordination and consultation.
The Saudi National Day comes this year in light of the comprehensive development renaissance witnessed by the Kingdom, which began a new journey towards a prosperous future with the launch of "Saudi Vision 2023", one of the largest national transformation programs in the world.
The Kingdom continues to move forward with the implementation of Vision 2030, which is a pivotal and decisive turning point in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to add to its achievements at the economic, social and cultural levels, and its active political presence in the region and the world.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the godfather of the vision, its architect, and the maker of its achievements and successes. His directives and diligent follow-up contributed to accelerating the translation of the vision ’ s outputs into reality in all fields.
Saudi Vision 2030 includes three main pillars that aim to improve the quality of life for citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia and enhance its global competitiveness.
On the other hand, the establishment of the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council reflects the keenness of the two brotherly countries to develop a common vision to deepen and sustain bilateral relations and strengthen the integrated economic system between them, as the volume of non-oil trade between the two countries exceeded $37.4 billion last year.
The effects of the bilateral relations between the two countries are reflected positively in various fields, especially in the fields of economy, trade and investment, in order to serve the path of progress and sustainable development and in the interest of improving the quality of life and the welfare and prosperity of the two brotherly peoples.
Saudi Arabia ranked third in the list of the top five recipients of UAE non-oil exports during the first half of this year, while UAE imports from Saudi Arabia accounted for 25 per cent of the total bilateral non-oil trade between the two countries in 2022, while national exports and UAE re-exports to Saudi Arabia accounted for 75 per cent during the same year.
The cultural and social relations between the two countries reflect the level of geographical and social interdependence between their peoples, and these relations are rooted in the depth of history and based on a common cultural and value heritage of arts, literature, customs and traditions that formed a harmonious cultural and societal identity for each.
The cultural relations between the two countries were represented at several levels, whether through the signing of several agreements and the implementation of joint programs, or at the level of cultural cooperation between institutions working in this field and creators and intellectuals in the two countries, within a vision based on the relationship between the two brotherly countries, strengthened by the relationship of two peoples with a cultural, social, geographical and economic heritage.
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What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

MBS' comprehensive plan for Saudi Arabia's development is called Vision 2030, launched in 2016 to drive economic, civilizational, political, and technological progress in the Kingdom.

Title:

Content: February 22 of each year marks a great and wonderful national anniversary for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people. Its blessed events began in the middle of 1139, corresponding to 1727, when the first Saudi state came into existence during the reign of Imam Prince Mohammed bin Saud, which lasted until 1233, corresponding to 1818, with its capital of Diriyah, its Constitution of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of his Prophet (peace be upon him).
The first Saudi state was able to establish unity, security and safety in the Arabian Peninsula, after centuries of dispersion, division and instability.
It was also able to withstand the challenges that surrounded the Arabian Peninsula at the time, to come after seven years another phase of empowerment, steadfastness and achievement, when Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud founded in 1240, 1824, the second Saudi state, which lasted until 1309, 1891, to continue during that period the journey of building a strong homeland and continuing the process of giving and steadfastness.
Ten years later, in 1319, 1902, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al-Saud established the third Saudi state and united it as a sprawling state under the name of Saudi Arabia in 1932. He followed his righteous, wise and righteous approach by his sons of kings towards strengthening the building process of the Saudi state and preserving its unity and cohesion to this day.
Today, in the era of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Kingdom is living a prosperous era that is witnessing unprecedented giant civilizational achievements under the wise leadership with the help of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and the godfather of Saudi Vision 2030, which was launched on April 25, 2016, to move the Kingdom economically, civilizationally, politically and technologically. Saudi Arabia ’ s economy grew by 8.7% in 2022, outperforming many of the developed world ’ s economies, including those of the G20 countries. The Kingdom has also been able to rank highly in the G20 countries in its ability to attract foreign direct investment and attract tourists and foreign visitors, for example, Saudi Arabia ’ s vision has contributed to improving levels of foreign direct investment. In 2022, it achieved an estimated growth of 337% compared to 2017, and foreign direct investment outflows gradually decreased from 2007 to the end of 2022.
In terms of domestic tourism, the Kingdom achieved its tourism targets before the year of vision, where the number of foreign tourists who came to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached 27 million tourists in 2023, and revenues from the tourism sector reached 100 billion riyals, and the volume of funding provided to the tourism sector reached 35 billion riyals through the Tourism Development Fund since its establishment.
The success of the Saudi tourism strategy achieved the Kingdom ’ s tourism goals ahead of time, which required an update of the vision ’ s primary goal of reaching 150 million tourists (80 million from inside and 70 million from outside) instead of 100 million tourists.
The tourism sector also achieved for the first time a surplus in the data of the travel item in the balance of payments, where the surplus until the end of the third quarter of 2023 was estimated at 37.8 billion riyals and a growth rate of 72% compared to the surplus in 2022 for the same period.
On the industrial side, the industry has also made qualitative and unprecedented leaps.
From 7,000 factories to more than 11,000 factories and the National Industrial Strategy will raise the factories to 36,000 factories.
In conclusion, the Kingdom, since the establishment of the first Saudi state until our prosperous era, is moving at a steady and steady pace towards change, renewal and modernization in all areas of life.
Saudi Vision 2030 has contributed to embodying the words and plans to make them a reality on the ground, so that the Kingdom has become an important reference in the region and the world in the field of modernization and development, and reflected the journey of change in all economic activities without exception, and contributed to the creation of jobs for citizens of both sexes, and the growth of the economy and diversification of revenues.

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To lessen reliance on oil.
To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

"Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud's 2030 vision for Saudi Arabia prioritizes economic development, modernization, and liberalization, while also promoting social reforms such as women's empowerment and religious moderation."

Title:

Content: Saudi Arabia in 8 years.
Unleashing latent forces
|
Member of the Financial and Economic Committee - Shura Council
Under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, set the Saudi Vision 2030 to become an inspiring approach and a new path for the Saudi economy away from the five-year development plans.
Saudi Vision 2030 was a challenge in itself, in its philosophy, in the skills required to achieve it and the necessary contexts to implement it, so the early years of the vision required extensive reforms in public sector governance and structure with many reforms in regulations and legislation, to the extent that any enthusiasm was weakened.
The National Transformation Program (NTP) was the most exciting and accurate program, not because it was a development of government work and the infrastructure needed to achieve Saudi Vision 2030, but because of the new concepts added to government work in Saudi Arabia such as increasing spending efficiency, developing non-oil revenues, achieving fiscal balance, empowering women and enhancing their participation in the private and public sectors. Independent such as the Spending Efficiency Commission, the Non-Oil Revenue Development Center, and the Performance Measurement Center, also required restructuring of the ministry and merging a number of them, such as merging the Ministry of Housing with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and merging the Ministries of Civil Service and Labor and Social Development.
Today, after eight years, non-oil revenues reached record numbers in 2023 by more than 457.728 billion riyals, an annual increase of 11%, after it did not exceed 180 billion in 2016, with spending growing from 825 billion in 2016 to reach 1.275 trillion riyals in 2023. Total Saudis reached 7.7% for the fourth quarter of 2023, and the unemployment rate for Saudi women decreased by 13.7%, which is staggering figures, where the unemployment rate exceeded 12.3% and the female unemployment rate 34.5%. This synchronization did not come from a vacuum or coincidence, but reflects the work, great effort and wise management to achieve the objectives of the vision. Therefore, the figures attested to the achievement with the percentage of local content in government procurement reaching 40.14%, and the percentage of correct inclusion of local content requirements in government competitions reached more than 83%. An increase of 42.4%, the number of rapidly growing enterprises reached 1,640, of which 105 are classified among large companies, a remarkable growth that highlights the new role played by the private sector and the encouragement it finds with the emergence of new bodies such as the AlUla Development Authority, the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority, and the Saudi Business Center. Completely.
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How has Vision 2030 affected women's rights and workforce participation?

And women's workforce participation doubled to 36%

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

What leadership roles have Saudi women achieved under Vision 2030?

Women have been appointed to municipal councils

What new permissions have Saudi women gained under Mohammed bin Salman's rule?

Mohammed bin Salman launched Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision in April 2016.

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

"Mohammed bin Salman's plan for Saudi Arabia's development is Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy, create jobs, and promote foreign investment."

Title:

Content: In a previous statement, the vision of Prince Mohammed bin Salman was described as one of the most important historical events during the 300 years of the establishment of the Saudi state.
It is the comprehensive transformation: how Prince Mohammed bin Salman reshaped the Kingdom with an ambition that embraces the sky, it is Mohammed bin Salman ’ s journey to change the face of Saudi Arabia for more glory!
In this article, we will talk in terms of numbers, international standards and global indicators of countries and also make some comparisons before and after the vision.
Saudi Arabia has undergone radical transformations under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has revolutionized development policies and programs, leading to tangible changes in the country ’ s social, economic, political, diplomatic and even sports structure.
Politically: The Kingdom has taken major and diverse steps and these steps reflect the Kingdom ’ s strategy to strengthen its role as a key player on the international scene and secure its national interests in light of global geopolitical transformations.
This trend reflects the Kingdom ’ s desire to strengthen its relations with multiple world powers and not rely solely on the West and the United States.
Alliances with the East: China: The Kingdom has signed several strategic agreements with China, covering areas as diverse as energy, trade, and investment.
The crown prince stressed the importance of relations with China as part of the "Vision 2030" to diversify the Saudi economy Russia: Saudi Arabia has cooperated with Russia in the fields of energy and investment, and the crown prince held talks with the Russian president to strengthen bilateral relations alliances with the BRICS group: a group that accounts for one-third of global GDP and about 80% of global oil production.
The Kingdom participated in the BRICS meetings, and the Crown Prince expressed his appreciation for the role played by the BRICS in supporting regional and international issues.
OPEC +, which controls about 60% of global oil production, has been crowned as the leader of this group and is the most influential player in a group that controls the energy of the world maintaining alliances with the West: Despite expanding relations with the East, the Kingdom continues to maintain strategic relations with the West, and works to strengthen cooperation in areas such as security, defense, and the economy.
Saudi Arabia seeks to reduce its dependence on the United States by diversifying its strategic partnerships and enhancing independence in its foreign policy, but at the same time it has expanded its cooperation with the United States in areas other than the traditional areas of cooperation between the two countries, thus increasing the overall volume and diversity of cooperation and the economy.
He also worked on developing the Public Investment Fund and increasing the contribution of small and emerging companies to the GDP.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has led expansionary fiscal policies that have made Saudi Arabia one of the fastest-growing economies of the G20.
The vision aims to expand the mineral, technological and industrial base, create jobs, promote foreign direct investment, and expand financial markets.
These ambitious achievements show how Prince Mohammed has not only modernized the Kingdom but reshaped its regional and international economic role, reflecting a strategic vision for a prosperous and sustainable future for Saudi Arabia • The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is a key pillar of Vision 2030.
After Vision: The fund ’ s assets rose to 1.5 trillion Saudi riyals ($400 billion) by the end of 2021.
With current assets of $925 billion, plans to double assets and reach more than $1 trillion by 2030, invest heavily in the local economy and create 1.8 million jobs.
Oil Dependence: Before Vision: Oil revenues made up a large proportion of GDP and the vast majority of the state budget.
After the vision: oil now accounts for less than half of GDP and the share of non-oil activities increased to about 50% of GDP and Moody ’ s predicted that non-oil GDP will grow between 3 and 4% annually until 2030.
Macroeconomic Size: Before Vision: GDP was close to $670 billion in 2015.
After Vision: GDP to exceed $1 trillion by the end of 2022.
World Economic Rank: Before Vision: There were challenges related to oil price fluctuations and the economy rises and falls according to oil prices after Vision: The global report predicted that the size of the Kingdom's economy will increase to rank 13th globally by 2030.
Economic growth indicators: Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Real GDP growth: Preliminary estimates indicate growth of about 2.6% for 2024 and 5.9% for 2025 Inflation indicators: Inflation rate: The inflation rate is an indicator of the level of prices in the economy and its impact on purchasing power.
Global inflation is forecast to decline from 6.8% in 2023 to 5.9% in 2024 and 4.5% in 2025, while Saudi Arabia ’ s inflation rate was 1.6% in May 2024.
The data shows a divergence in unemployment rates between developed and developing economies, with the unemployment rate at 4.4% in the third quarter of 2023.
Trade Balance: Trade Balance: The Kingdom recorded a trade surplus of SAR 33.4 billion in March 2024.
Current Account: Current Account to GDP: The current account to GDP ratio was 5.9% in December 2023.
Government debt: Government debt to GDP: Government debt to GDP ratio of 24.8% Manufacturing PMI: Manufacturing PMI reached 56.4 points in May 2024.
Global Competitiveness: Saudi Arabia jumped in the Global Competitiveness Index (IMD) from 25th place in 2016 to 16th place this year, with a score of 79.83 out of 100.
Tourism: The Kingdom has opened new sectors for investment, the most important of which is tourism and invests $800 billion in tourism, targeting 150 million visitors by 2030 after previously reaching its target of 100 million tourists before the expected time.
The Kingdom has launched major projects, and is currently considered one of the largest workshops in the world, NEOM is the largest project in the world, the Red Sea, Qiddiya, the square and King Salman Airport, the list of major projects or Ghiga is not enough to be mentioned or described as they need independent articles to cover some of them.
Social sphere: I will touch on one of the dozens of areas that have been improved in the social sphere.
Vision 2030 has brought about significant social changes, including the empowerment of Saudi women, the improvement of the working environment for women, and the increase of their employment opportunities. There is a global consensus on the steps taken by the vision to empower women, not to mention the tremendous improvements in other areas, especially entertainment, which has become a global benchmark, and raise the quality of life.
The sports field in the sports field: Saudi sport has witnessed a qualitative leap, where the contracting with the world ’ s top stars, and hosting major international sports events, which contributed to strengthening the position of Saudi sport globally, and the Kingdom has become an important international player in several sports around the world such as golf, tennis and boxing.
As mentioned, it is very difficult to surround even the parties of the vision and its achievements because they are complex and cover almost all aspects of life, and its achievements are more than counted in an article or a full number, but these facts, figures and ranks reflect the current political, economic, social and cultural situation of the Kingdom, which is better and better.
Indeed, a vision, a new era, the path of renewal, and the journey of Prince Mohammed bin Salman in redefining the Saudi identity and raising it and its transcendence globally while retaining its authenticity.

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To lessen reliance on oil.
To attract foreign investment
To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

The main economic goal of MBS's 2030 vision is to diversify Saudi Arabia's income sources and reduce its dependence on crude oil revenue.

Title:

Content: Saudi Arabia on its 92nd day
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On September 23 of every year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its national day, which falls this year 92 years.
On this occasion, dear to the hearts of the Emiratis, the leadership and the people.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed a major real boom and an openness to the future in a positive and creative manner, while maintaining its deep religious values and principles..!!
Since the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, took power in Saudi Arabia..
During his auspicious reign, many decisions were made in the interest of the Saudi citizen.
Comprehensive and radical change.
With attention and development in all facilities and sites in the government sector and the private sector.
Housing and the elimination of corruption.
The empowerment of Saudi women in all aspects and fields of political, social, economic, sports, science and technology, etc.
Saudi women, for the first time under King Salman, were able to participate in municipal elections and have the right to vote.
A historic royal decree allowing Saudi women to drive was also issued, which, most importantly, had a positive international resonance.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ’ s Vision 2030, which aims to invest the Kingdom in its human resources in addition to its natural wealth in an optimal way without relying on oil, is the most important achievement in Saudi Arabia ’ s economic history, according to economic experts.
Saudi Arabia has also advanced several places in its ranking in economic reforms and the ambitious vision it is working on.
The published reports confirm that the Kingdom has seen the greatest improvement in the last three years.
Saudis have seen improvements in health standards, a rise in happiness and a decline in anxiety.
The historical Saudi-Emirati relations are rooted in wise and moderate orientations.
They have identical and clear positions and visions, especially on the latest issues and topics of common interest, foremost of which is strengthening the security and stability of the region and confronting external interference, extremism and terrorism, while working diligently to strengthen and deepen joint cooperation in the light of continuous coordination, cooperation and consultation between the two countries.
The strength and strength of the Saudi-UAE relations reflect the convergence of visions and objectives, and the clear harmony between the two countries and peoples.
This rapprochement is reinforced by the establishment of the Saudi-UAE Coordination Council, which was announced in Jeddah five years ago, and which did not come from a vacuum, but based on common foundations and ties between the two countries and their peoples.
The relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have gone a long way towards laying the foundations of strategic cooperation in various fields and fields, thanks to the identical visions to address many issues facing the region regionally and internationally, as well as their active role at the level of the GCC system in promoting Gulf unity, facing the challenges facing this unity and continuing to strengthen its ties.
The idea of the Coordination Council embodies the joint ties between the two countries and the keenness to strengthen and strengthen them, especially as the two countries translate the strategic project complementary to joint Arab action, in light of the qualitative transformation to maintain stability and face challenges in the region, within the framework of a strong and coherent alliance. Qin, and supports the process of joint Gulf action.
These strong and strategic relations between the UAE and the Kingdom are based on solid foundations of brotherhood, visions, attitudes and consistent orientations towards the issues of the region and the world.
It aims at supporting and promoting common interests and represents a fundamental pillar of Arab national security and the security and stability system in the region as a whole, especially with the wise, moderate and clear attitudes of the two countries' policies, whether at the regional or global level, in the face of extremism, intolerance and terrorism, and encouraging the promotion of dialogue among civilizations and the culture of different religions.
May Allah protect the Kingdom of goodness, the land of the Two Holy Mosques, the leadership and the people, and keep its feasts, its joys and its glory always and forever by His permission.
* Emirati Writer
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What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To lessen reliance on oil.
To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is supporting MBS's vision for Saudi Arabia's future, which includes significant economic and social reforms.

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To lessen reliance on oil.
To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

Mohammed bin Salman has been the crown prince of Saudi Arabia for six years.

Title:

Content: On the anniversary of the sale of the Crown...
Al-Ajmi: The Kingdom has witnessed 6 years of achievements at all levels
He said that this was the result of a lot of clear and strategic planning, looking forward to a bright future for the country.
The expert and professor of digital media, Dr. Fahed bin Salem Al-Ajmi, said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed during the past six years a great development at all levels and trends, culminating in many achievements on the ground, which was the result of a lot of clear and strategic planning, looking forward to a bright future for the country.
In detail, Al-Ajmi explained that the past six years have made great achievements that confirmed that the decision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, may God protect him, to choose His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Crown Prince was a historic decision in the interest of the nation and its future, with the support of an overwhelming majority of 31 votes out of 34. The young man who illuminated the Kingdom ’ s skies with many of the plans and strategies that culminated in the Kingdom ’ s Vision 2030, for which His Highness served as an architect and a cornerstone of its strong and solid foundation.
He added that what His Highness has done in the past six years confirms the great and continuous volume of work in a busy journey to achieve the achievements that put the Kingdom in the ranks of the developed countries of the world, and those great and diverse achievements, which are not enough to mention the importance of their abundance and diversity and the strength of their impact on our tangible reality.
Al-Ajmi said: Citizens and residents of the Kingdom believe that the changes made by His Highness the Crown Prince, which were sponsored by the father leader King Salman bin Abdul Aziz - may God protect them - is a turning point at the level of the state.
Despite the existence of many global challenges and difficulties, and despite the Kingdom ’ s passing through difficult situations that served as a crossroads, His Highness went on to give young people a long-term perspective, making his country ’ s history and heritage a starting line to address the present and make his work towards the future in all fields. Internationally, according to an insight into the young leader, who soon became the talk of the world.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates the sixth anniversary of the pledge of His Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to draw the joy of the people and write a new history of stability at the political level and achievements at the national level. The political, economic, developmental and social files, and this project continues to prove its success and the strength of the foundation on which it was built and confirm that whoever comes with such a vision is a successful leader with a great personality, which can be described as an "exceptional" personality, making his main concern the upliftment of the homeland and the citizen.
Al-Ajmi concluded by saying: “On the occasion of this precious and dear anniversary, we recall the great meanings of the youth inspirer, the leader of reforms and the change-maker to achieve the promising future in the march of prosperity of the homeland and the citizen under the generous care and guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. ”
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"Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud is leading the efforts of reform and development in Saudi Arabia, introducing various social and economic reforms as part of his 2030 vision for the country."

Title:

Content: Criteria for attracting strategic leaders.
“Leaders of Excellence and Innovation ” in Developed Countries
Global challenges facing countries have increased such as: economic, political, technological and social challenges, internal changes have accelerated such as: change in objectives, values and climate, individuals and working methods, community needs have escalated, and resources have decreased; and the culture of excellence and innovation has become a great demand among peoples and governments, which necessitated the application of governmental institutional excellence to keep pace with successive changes in all fields.
In response to these circumstances, emphasis was placed on leadership, as well as on human capital, work on quality of outputs and high levels of performance, and the transformation of agile organizations; for the importance of strengthening competitiveness, leadership and innovation industry.
Efforts have been made by governmental organizations in all countries to reach a leading position among the countries that compete with them at both the regional and international levels.
Some countries have even established a Strategic Leadership Development Academy that leads excellence, innovation and leadership locally and internationally.
The vast majority of writers and researchers tend to develop strategic leadership capabilities and reach high levels of performance that enable their owners to carry out their leadership tasks efficiently and efficiently, and to invest the capabilities of the state and its capabilities the best investment to achieve leadership and innovation desired. Middle and advanced experience, Britain trained leadership and made it a job with standards, requirements and entitlements that must be met.
In the Vision 2030 document, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should be a successful and pioneering model.
“My first goal is for our country to be a successful and leading model in the world at all levels. ”
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud followed his approach.
The State has made continuous efforts in the professional and distinguished leadership reforms in government organizations and the optimal investment of human leadership capabilities through leadership programs targeting those who are in leadership positions and those who are coming to assume them and provide them with the necessary skills to lead and acquire them with the practical skills needed to manage organizations with the foundations of the scientific approach of leadership.
To contribute to raising the efficiency and effectiveness of those enrolled in the field of strategic management in organizations and raise the overall productivity of the governmental organization and excellence of its performance
In addition to developing the skills of human leadership and developing their abilities using methods inspired by the best international practices, and then appreciating their efforts and achievements to support the methods of maintaining them. The Kingdom has recorded the best international practices in the number of training hours for leadership cadres.
It also set standards in attracting government leaders on a scientific and global basis through the houses of expertise and global advisory teams in attracting government leaders for leadership and innovation.
Early efforts were initiated in the Kingdom through the establishment of the Performance Measurement Center for Governmental Organizations, which measures the performance of public agencies with international standards, towards outstanding government performance, and a national vision achieved.
He introduced programs aimed at developing the skills of business leaders and IT managers in government agencies to achieve the vision and values of digital government, where the program consists of several development programs in the latest digital topics, which are offered in partnership with the top 100 international universities to identify the best global technical practices.
The programs continued to be rolled out through the 10X Saudi Leadership Program, which builds key leadership skills based on the 2030 Leaders Competencies Framework. The program aims to:
1.
Building successful leaders.
2.
Empower leaders to strategize, innovate, and make impact.
3.
Developing competencies in order to achieve Vision 2030.
There are great programs in the development of organizations and strategic leaders in government organizations, which prompted me to search for the reasons of excellence of organizations in developed countries, and I found that the main supporter in the industry of leadership and innovation through professional leaders that achieve government excellence, leadership and innovation.
By reviewing the table of weights of the relative importance of the seven main criteria of European excellence 2020 are:
Axis of Direction:
• Goal and strategic vision were given a score of 100
• Organizational culture and leadership were given a score of 100
In the implementation of Exception:
The employee engagement standard was given a score of 100.
• A sustainable value building standard of 200 degrees was given
• Performance and Transformation Leadership Benchmark was given 100
The results focus:
• The criterion of the impressions of the concerned people was given 200 degrees
• Strategic and operational performance score of 200
The total score is 1000 degrees.
Strategic leadership through professional leadership represents about 300 of the total grades, which is equivalent to 35% of the standards of the European Institutional Excellence Model 2020.
Distinguish countries by attracting strategic leadership competencies that lead change, leadership and innovation in those countries to put them at the forefront of the developed countries and the 20 countries
Polarization should be based on scientific and global foundations inspired by management sciences and strategic leadership arts
He reviewed the best models of international standards of expertise houses in strategic leadership that are used to attract leaders of change, leadership and innovation.
• First criterion: administrative performance 40%
• Standard 2: Professional performance 40%
Criterion 3: Attributes and Relationships 20%
To achieve 100% total standards
These criteria were divided into:
The first criterion: administrative performance 40% and a score of 400 out of the total score of standards 1000 is divided into:
1. Strategic orientation and institutional organization and its weight 100 degrees
2. Leading change and crisis management and weighing 100 degrees
3. Competitiveness and managerial excellence and is represented by 100 degrees
Evaluation and development is represented by 100 degrees
The second criterion: professional performance 40% and a score of 400 out of the total score of the criteria 1000 degrees is divided into:
1. Leading teaching and learning and weighing 160 degrees
2. Sustainable development and institutional resources 120 degrees
3- Administrative empowerment and professional competencies represented by 120 degrees
The third criterion: Attributes and relations 20% and a score of 200 out of the total scores of criteria 1000 degrees and is divided into:
Professional traits and self-growth are represented by 70 degrees
Relations and social responsibility represented by 70 degrees
3. Communication, communication and community service represented by 60 degrees
Through the use of this model to attract strategic leadership competencies, many countries have recorded successive successes and progress in their ranking of developed countries or the top 20 countries.
The Kingdom has recorded the best international practices in the number of training hours for government leadership cadres, and we appreciate these efforts through the keenness of the governors in devoting efforts and continuous support to the development of government organizations that promote the future of our great country.
These efforts have been reflected in the achievements of our dear Great Kingdom at all levels, including:
• Sports Stations in 2021
• Hosting Dacre Rally Saudi Arabia
• Holding the second edition of the (Saudi Cup) horse race
• Hosting the seventh season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship at the historic Diriyah Circuit
• Hosting the electric car race (Xtreme E) in the historical province of Al-Ula
• Hosting the 14th edition of the World Club Handball Championship (Superglobe) in Jeddah
• Hosting a Formula 1 race
• Cultural Stations in 2021
• Launch of Noor Riyadh Exhibition
• Honoring the winners of the National Cultural Awards Initiative
• Inscription of the Cultural District (Fever) on the UNESCO World Heritage List
• Riyadh International Book Fair
• Binalsoor Exhibition in Riyadh
• Hosted the Tuwaiq International Sculpture Symposium
• Exhibition at Binalsoor in Jeddah
• The first edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival
• Launching (Diriyah Biennial) as the first Biennial held in the Kingdom
• Launch of the strategy of the Bin Salman International Center for Arabic Calligraphy
Financial sustainability
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ’ s efforts in financial sustainability have resulted in the return of the economy to pre-pandemic levels in 2021. The total real results achieved a positive growth of 3.2% in 2021 compared to last year, while non-oil activities achieved a positive growth of 6.1% in 2021 compared to last year.
Diversified economy
Local content
As a result of the initiative of localization and transfer of oil and gas technology and the increase of the share of local content in the oil and gas sector by 60%, in the context of empowering small, medium and finite enterprises, the year 2021 saw a number of possibilities provided to them to achieve the goal of vision of the contribution of small and medium enterprises total local results to 35% in 2030.
The rate of foreign direct investment in the second quarter of 2021 recorded the highest quarterly value during 2020, the previous years by about 13.8 billion dollars, recording an increase of 607.3, on a quarterly basis and an increase of 1573.9, on an annual basis.
In the tourism sector
In 2021, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will attract 10 million visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom by the vision 2030 that tourism will generate revenues of 50 billion Saudi riyals through diversified investments.
of entrepreneurial projects
The NEOM project in total targets 380,000 jobs and contribute to the national domestic production 180 billion riyals by 2030.
The Red Sea Project
One of the mega projects in the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2030, which was designed by the project (Coral Bloom) with new beaches more than 90 islands will be placed in this project, the island will include resorts and operational hotels, a number of famous international hospitality pioneers, also in the resort (Dok butchers) The resort includes 48 villas 12 hotel rooms and it is worth mentioning that a huge coral colony was discovered within the Red Sea project is located 600 years, south of the island Qadi, contribute to achieving the ambitious vision goal of visiting foreign direct investment to 5.7% by 2030.
Resource Development Program
The year 2021 witnessed the launch of the Human Development Capacity Development Program and the program ’ s strategy included three pillars.
The program seeks to activate the company with the non-profit private sector and increase the chances of attending kindergarten from 23% to 90%. It also aims to enter two Saudi universities among the top 100 universities in the world by 2030, which enhances the Kingdom 's position globally in education and scholarship. Parts of the province of men of Ma' a, technology and digital transformation The Kingdom has won the presidency of the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science Alexu in 2021 to 2030
Training Development Side
The Research, Development and Innovation Authority launched 14 innovative laboratories specialized in the field of technology and digital entrepreneurship, benefited more than 37,000 participants also launched 19 training programs to develop human cadres on the e-tourism education platform, benefiting more than 111,000 trainees. Non-working from 7.7% in 2020 to 12.2% in 2021.
He also launched a Saudi logistics academy four times training
Qualifying Competencies in 7 Logistics Training Sectors
30 trainees also launched from the front row employees of the system of Hajj and Umrah through the Academy of Hajj and Umrah virtual training The number of trainees more than 11 thousand trainees in the framework of the continuous quest to enable the recovering employee the national economy and the improvement of the labor market fell to 11% in the fourth quarter of 2021, a marked decline
The Leadership Side
Launching the service of establishing and operating a capacity and skills assessment center in order to identify the data of state employees and raise the use of data by preparing analytical studies in leading positions in ministries and automatically linking with 50 government agencies
Financial Area
The number of POS devices in the Kingdom reached more than one million devices in the commercial outlets more than 180 cities and villages, and also supports the efforts of the vision in the transition towards a digital economy. The share of electronic payments made by the population reached 57% in the retail sector. The Kingdom recorded the highest rate of adoption of payments through NVC technology by 94% in the European Union, Middle East and Africa. The index of Internet services in the Kingdom in 2030, to 96% and the coverage rate of the population range 4G more than 97% and the Internet speed increased 9 megabytes in 2018, to 180 megabytes in 2021, and it is worth mentioning that the wireless Internet was activated during the Hajj season.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked first among the 28 most trusted governments in the world for the first year of 2021, Saudi Arabia ranked first among the 28 most trusted governments in the world for the first year of 2021, Saudi Arabia ranked second among the G20 countries in the Competitiveness and Digital Progress Report 20.21, issued by the European Center In terms of the non-profit sector or the voluntary sector, 250 volunteer units were established during 2021, also the contribution of the non-profit sector as a development partner in achieving the objectives of the Kingdom and encouraging the initiatives of the non-profit and then the implementation of the national award voluntary work in its first sessions during 2021. As a result of this effort, non-profit organizations registered an increase of 3,068 organizations by the end of 2021, an increase of 88% compared to 2017, 8251,000 volunteers.
I conclude my article with this statement, which is not absent from the sight, hearing and feeling of any Saudi citizen
We have called this vision (Saudi Arabia Vision 2030), but we will not wait until then, but we will immediately start implementing all that we have committed ourselves to, and with you and how much Saudi Arabia will be a great country we are all proud of, God willing.
Speech of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz
Crown Prince, Prime Minister
President of the Council for Economic and Development Affairs

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

allow recreational activities; Saudi women benefit from relaxed restrictions

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To lessen reliance on oil.
To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

The NEOM project is an example of a pioneering project in Saudi Arabia's 2030 vision, aiming to reshape the country's economy and image.

Title:

Content: Yesterday's news that Saudi Arabia's megacity project 'The Line' has been scaled back is the latest sign that the kingdom's audacious state-building enterprise is not going according to plan.

The Line is one of 15 projects announced as part of Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious NEOM undertaking, which is part of the Crown Prince's overall 'Vision 2030' scheme to reshape his oil-dependant country's economy and image.

The linear metropolis was meant to be home to around 1.5 million residents by the end of the decade, with plans to ultimately increase its full capacity to nine million.

The 1,640-foot-tall structure was also meant to stretch across 106 miles of desert, but - according to people familiar to the matter, cited by Bloomberg - it will now only be one-and-a-half miles long (a 98 percent reduction in its planned length) and be home to just 300,000 people by 2030.

The report that it has been scaled back is just the latest sign that Bin Salman's megacity is stalling before even getting off the ground.

Analysts have long expressed scepticism over the project which has touted technology that is yet to be invented. One former worker once described The Line as being 'untethered to reality'.

Yesterday's news that Saudi Arabia 's megacity project 'The Line' has been scaled back was the latest sign that the kingdom's audacious NEOM state-building enterprise is not going according to plan. Pictured: The Line is seen in concept imagery released by Saudi Arabia

As part of the country's audacious and futuristic NEOM project, the linear metropolis was meant to be home to around 1.5 million residents by the end of the decade, with plans to ultimately increase its full capacity to nine million people. However, analysts have long expressed their scepticism - saying the plan features technology yet to even be invented

Pictured: Concept imagery shows an imagined sky garden looking out over the Saudi desert

A concept images shows an artist's rendering of what the interior of The Line would look like, between its two vast 106-mile long landscrapers

When it was first announced, The Line - slated to cost $1.5 trillion (£1.2tn) - was pitched as a new vision for urban design - with computer generated promotional material making it look like something out of a science fiction film.

NEOM as a whole remains one of the largest and most difficult construction projects in history, with the region set to cover a swathe of desert the size of Belgium.

Mohammed bin Salman - or MBS as he is known - sees NEOM as Saudi Arabia's showpiece to transform the country's economy and demonstrate futuristic technology that could transform the way people live their lives around the globe.

However, citing sources close to the project in its report about Saudi Arabia downscaling The Line, Bloomberg noted that the country has not yet approved NEOM's budget for 2024, despite now being well into April.

The publication also said that NEOM's vast expenditure is beginning to concern officials - suggesting Saudi Arabia's immense wealth isn't quite so endless after all.

What's more, some projects outlined in the Vision 2030 are already expected to be delayed past the end-of-the-decade deadline.

Finance Minister Mohammed Al Jadaan said in December that longer is needed to build 'factories' and 'sufficient human resources' for the project.

'The delay or rather the extension of some projects will serve the economy,' he said.

The feasibility of NEOM and The Line has also long been called into question.

Architect and urban planner Etienne Bou-Abdo said of concept images last year: 'the 3D images presented are not classical 3D architecture images', and the designers of the project 'have rather called upon video game designers'.

He stated that the plan includes 'a lot of technology that we don't have today'.

Concept images of The Line released by the kingdom in 2022 showed a vast, structure slicing through the desert near crystal blue ocean waters

The 1,640-foot-tall structure was meant to stretch across 106 miles of desert, but - according to people familiar to the matter, cited by Bloomberg - it will now only be one-and-a-half miles long, a 98 percent reduction in its planned length

A map shows where The Line was set to be built, and how long it would have been. Saudi officials said it would be built in stages, and would eventually cover a 106-mile stretch of desert along the coast of the Red Sea in the western Tabuk province

In a promotional video released by the Kingdom, it was suggested that nine million people could live in The Line (pictured in concept art) at full capacity

The Line's vast construction was set to extend from the heart of another planned Red Sea megacity, a plank of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's bid to diversify the Gulf state's oil-dependent economy - to the ocean

A number of The Line's key features, particularly those related to energy and transport, are based on technologies that do not even exist even in prototype form.

Since its inception, MBS's vision for the project has changed frequently - with workers finding themselves in the difficult position of having to manage the expectations of a man who is known to have imprisoned his own family.

'The concept has morphed so much from its early conception that it's sometimes hard to determine its direction: scaling down, scaling up, or making an aggressive turn sideways,' said Robert Mogielnicki of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, following the presentation in 2022.

There has also been frequent staff turnover, with some former workers describing the vision for NEOM as being 'untethered from reality'.

According to a Bloomberg report in 2022, who interviewed 25 employees and saw 2,700 pages of internal documents, the project has been plagued by setbacks.

Attempts to relocate the indigenous population who have lived at the NEOM site for generations, were reported as being 'turbulent' - with one incident even descending into a gun battle.

Several key staff have quit, blaming a toxic work environment and a culture of massive overspending without seeing results.

They also described how the project had become a favourite for contractors - including architects and Hollywood production designers - all of whom are taking a cut of Saudi Arabia's oil riches.

'I was not alone in realising that it was spurious at best,' Andy Wirth, an American hospitality executive who worked on Neom, told Bloomberg for its 2022 report.

'The complete absence of being tethered to reality, objectively, is what was demonstrated there,' he added at the time.

In its report, the American publication wrote: 'The chaotic trajectory of Neom so far suggests that MBS's urban dream may never be delivered.'

Overall, 15 sites have been announced as part of the NEOM megacity.

With names like Xaynor, Zardun and Siranna - NEOM's destinations are often described in manicured promotional material as 'sanctuaries' or 'oases'.

Computer generated concept images and videos show gleaming structures rising out of the desert, with model-like actors looking on in wonder, or taking part in various activities such as jet skiing or mountain biking.

Salman is hoping to create a desert metropolis known as NEOM. Pictured: NEOM's 'Oxagon' - a futuristic port city - is seen in concept imagery

The Line was the first announced in 2017 - and officially in January 2021 - with MBS delivering a presentation - capturing the attention of both city planners, architects and the general public around the world.

The announcement of 'Oxagon' - a futuristic port city - followed in November.

Concept images of The Line released by the kingdom in 2022 showed a vast structure slicing through the desert near crystal blue ocean waters.

The megacity was to feature two parallel skyscrapers extending across a swathe of desert and mountain terrain, with mirrored facades on the outside.

Saudi officials said it would be built in stages, and would eventually cover a 106-mile stretch of desert along the coast in the western Tabuk province - with its Western tip pointing out over the Red Sea towards Egypt.

In its original design, if built in the UK, The Line would have been able to stretch between London to Birmingham, or even from London into France.

In US-terms, it was longer than the distance between New York and Philadelphia.

However, unlike city sprawls we are accustomed to today, the vast metropolis would have been contained in the two mirrored structures - each rising 500 meters above sea level, taller than the Empire State building.

At just 200 yards wide, The Line was intended to be Saudi Arabia's answer to unchecked and wasteful urban sprawl, layering homes, schools and parks on top of each other in what planners term 'Zero Gravity Urbanism'.

Promotional material says residents will have 'all daily needs' reachable within a five-minute walk, while also having access to other perks like outdoor skiing facilities and 'a high-speed rail with an end-to-end transit of 20 minutes'.

For a train to travel 106 miles in 20 minutes, it would need to be able to travel at 318 miles per hour - 16 miles per hour faster than the Beijing to Shanghai speed line, one of the fastest railway lines in the world.

In his presentation, Prince Mohammed sketched out an even more ambitious vision, describing a car-free utopia that would become the planet's most liveable city.

The site would be powered by 100 percent renewable energy and feature 'a year-round temperate micro-climate with natural ventilation', the promotional video said - something that would be a necessity considering temperatures in Saudi Arabia can range from 27 degrees to 43 degrees.

Other flourishes were proposed too, like flying taxis and robot maids, prompting architects and economists to question its feasibility further.

Officials had earlier said The Line's overall population would top one million, but Prince Mohammed said the number would actually hit 1.2million by 2030 (other reports have suggested 1.5 million) before climbing even further by 2045.

In a promotional video released by the Kingdom, it was suggested that nine million people could live in The Line at full capacity.

The eye-popping total is part of a hoped-for nationwide population boom that Prince Mohammed said would be necessary to make Saudi Arabia - the world's biggest crude exporter - an economic powerhouse.

The goal for 2030 is to have 50 million people - half Saudis and half foreigners - living in the kingdom, up from roughly 34 million today.

By 2040 the target is 100 million people, he said in 2022.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announces 'The Line' to be built at NEOM in northwestern Saudi Arabia, January 10, 2021

'That's the main purpose of building NEOM, to raise the capacity of Saudi Arabia, get more citizens and more people in Saudi Arabia. And since we are doing it from nothing, why should we copy normal cities?' Prince Mohammed said at the time.

However, not everyone was convinced at the time.

Writing for the New York Times in 2021, US journalist and author Robert Worth wrote scathingly about the project.

'To watch [MBS's] promotional video is to be immersed in a distinctively Saudi form of arrogance, blending religious triumphalism and royal grandiosity,' he said.

Analysts have also noted that plans for NEOM have often changed course over the years, fuelling doubts about whether The Line would ever become reality.

It was once touted as a regional 'Silicon Valley', a biotech and digital hub spread over 10,000 square miles.

But it was also a vehicle for reimagining urban life on a footprint of just 34 square kilometres, and addressing what Prince Mohammed describes as 'liveability and environmental crises'.

With it being scaled back, it is now unclear whether The Line will still feature its twin skyscrapers seen in the concept images, or if the whole project will have to be reconsidered altogether.

Reports of the scale-back to The Line project coincided with more bad news for Saudi Arabia, after it was announced on Sunday that Saudi Aramco - the state-owned petroleum and natural gas company - saw a 24.7 percent decline in profits in 2023.

In a filing to the Saudi stock market, the oil giant said net income reached 454.7 billion Saudi riyals ($121.25 billion) in 2023 down from 604.01 billion Saudi riyals ($161.07 billion) it reported in 2022.

'The decrease mainly reflects the impact of lower crude oil prices and lower volumes sold, and weakening refining and chemicals margins,' Aramco said.

The huge trench can be seen stretching into the distance as foundations for the incredible megacity are dug out in footage from 2022

Construction workers stand on the edge of a vast trench being dug for The Line megacity

Pictured: Construction workers are seen operating excavators in drone footage captured in 2022 when The Line project began

While Saudi officials will have been left red-faced with the news that the project is being scaled back, it will certainly come as a relief to conservationists who raised the alarm over The Line's environmental impact.

Experts warned last year that the vast mirrored surface would be a 'death trap' for millions of birds migrating between Europe and Africa each year.

As Saudi Arabia touted the finished project's sustainability credentials, researchers identified the construction project itself as one of the 15 most pressing conservation issues to watch in 2024.

And experts have said in a study released in December that a combination of factors mean it poses a huge risk to birds that migrate over Saudi Arabia every year.

These include the mirrored facades, the city's orientation and the intention to have wind turbines along the top of it.

'Birds flying into tall windows is a serious problem, and this is a building that is 500m high going across Saudi Arabia, with windmills on top,' Professor William Sutherland, director of research in Cambridge University's zoology department, told The Times .

'It's also kind of like a mirror so you don't really see it,' Sutherland, who led the study, added. 'So unless they do something about it, there's a serious risk that there could be lots of damage to migratory birds.'

Nightingales, wheatears, larks, sandgrouse and turtle doves are all species of bird that use the migratory route which could be affected.

Other species known to travel that way include the Egyptian vulture and saker falcon, both of which are endangered globally, The Times reported.

Treyam - another NEOM project announced last month - is an 'elevated haven' - a luxury resort, stretching over a desert lagoon, with a nearly half a kilometre long swimming pool on its roof

Looking like something from the future, the complex will stretch across a desert lagoon

NEOM is roughly the size of Belgium and situated on the west coast of Saudi Arabia

The publication said the area The Line is set to occupy is already a bottleneck for an estimated 2.1million birds that travel between Europe and Africa every autumn.

It noted that every year, 988 million birds are killed in collisions with buildings in the US alone, with the risk found to be higher in areas with glass or mirrored buildings.

The news of the scale-back comes just weeks after Saudi Arabia announced its latest wildly ambitious NEOM project: The world's longest sky pool built on the roof of a 250-room resort.

Treyam - announced in March with more computer generated concept images - is being billed as an 'elevated haven' - a luxury complex, stretching over a desert lagoon, with a nearly half-kilometre-long swimming pool on its roof.

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?

The industrial sector is a key focus of MBS's economic reforms, aiming to diversify the industrial base and value chains.

Title:

Content: RIYADH — Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the remarkable achievements made by Saudi Arabia ever since the launch of its Vision 2030 and the government’s relentless efforts to implement structural reforms in the financial and economic sectors. The Crown Prince, who is also chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, said this in a statement issued on the occasion of the approval of the state’s general budget for the fiscal year 2024 by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscored that the Kingdom is witnessing sustainable economic growth in light of the great development capabilities and opportunities that the Kingdom enjoys within the framework of the Vision 2030 to enable it to move forward towards a better future worthy of its status in accordance with the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. “This produced a clear and prominent impact on the growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) of non-oil sectors.”

The Crown Prince affirmed the commitment made by the government in the budget for the fiscal year 2024 so as to enhance economic growth through the expansion of government spending. “The budget figures announced by King Salman come supportive and enabling many programs and initiatives. These include investments to strengthen infrastructure, raise the quality of services provided to citizens, expatriates and visitors, in addition to developing promising economic sectors, enhancing investment attraction, stimulating industries, and raising the proportion of local content and non-oil Saudi exports,” he said while praising the effective and important role of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the National Development Fund.

The Crown Prince emphasized that work would continue to develop the Kingdom’s public financial performance, by increasing financial capacity and building government reserves, in a way that enhances the capacity of the Kingdom’s economy, maintains sustainable levels of public debt, and enables it to confront any developments or crises that may arise in the future. “The increase in spending is mainly due to the government’s keenness to continue developing the level of public services provided to citizens, expatriates and visitors, as well as to implement many projects and expand spending on sectoral and regional development strategies that would achieve positive structural changes, leading to expanding and diversifying the economic base,” he said.

The Crown Prince stressed the government’s keenness on developing and strengthening partnership with the private sector so as to enable and motivate it to play its major role in achieving economic diversification, as far as to enable the labor market to absorb more of the Saudi workforce, create job opportunities in the labor market and reduce unemployment rates among Saudis. “The total number of Saudis in the labor market this year jumped to 2.3 million, in addition to improving the investment environment to be an attractive environment that contributes to raising the proportion of domestic and foreign investment, developing non-oil exports and improving the non-oil trade balance of payments,” he said.

The Crown Prince emphasized that the journey of economic diversification continues through supporting promising sectors, as the Kingdom works to raise tourism targets to 150 million visitors internally and externally by 2030 in addition to building an effective sports sector through the “Investment and Privatization Project for Sports Clubs,” in order to achieve the goals of the Vision 2030 in the sports sector, as these sectors are witnessing rapid growth and providing diverse opportunities.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman reiterated the Kingdom’s determination to develop its industrial sector, as it is one of the most important vital sectors in the Saudi economy, by diversifying the industrial base and value chains through the “National Strategy for Industry'', which focuses on 12 sub-sectors to diversify the industrial economy and raise the industrial domestic product by around three times compared to the year 2020, reaching SR895 billion in 2030 to be a major contributor to the development of non-oil exports. This is in integration with the important role of the PIF as it is the investment arm that contributes and complements the efforts undertaken by the government in diversifying the economy, and the pivotal role of the National Development Fund and its affiliated funds in providing concessional financing to the private sector, he pointed out.

Speaking about the pivotal and leadership role of the Kingdom, the Crown Prince stressed the Kingdom’s role regionally and internationally, and its endeavor to ensure that the countries of the world enjoy security and stability, as they are the main factors for development and prosperity, and its keenness to develop and stabilize supply and value chains in a way that serves the development and economic prosperity of all countries of the world.

The Crown Prince stressed the Kingdom’s determination to continue the development momentum during the coming year and in the medium and long term with boosting the attractiveness of the Kingdom’s economy as a base for local and foreign investments besides diversifying the economy through the development of all economic sectors.

© Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

To reduce Saudi Arabia's oil dependence
To drive development in manufacturing

What are some of the key goals of Vision 2030 for society and economy?

What are the main goals of the 2016- launched Vision 2030?

To lessen reliance on oil.
To diversify Saudi Arabia's economy

What has MBS done since becoming Crown Prince in Saudi Arabia?