The World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos showcased Saudi Arabia’s strategic growth plans, as outlined by the Minister of Economy and Planning, Faisal F. Alibrahim. He emphasized the Kingdom’s ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, describing it as an embodiment of bold leadership and strategic foresight.
In a session on regional diplomacy, Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah expressed optimism about the Middle East’s future post-Gaza ceasefire. He highlighted the resilience and positive developments in nations like Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, asserting the stability of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Tourism Minister Ahmed A. Al-Khateeb revealed the sector’s growth, noting a rise to nearly 30 million international visitors in 2024 from 10 million in 2019. He emphasized tourism’s role in diversifying and strengthening the economy.
A WEF briefing paper, with insights from Minister Ahmed, discussed sustainable and inclusive growth in travel and tourism, stressing the importance of collaboration across sectors. The Ministry of Tourism also published an Investor White Paper on the transformation of the sector under Vision 2030.
Additionally, Salesforce announced a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, aiming to upskill 30,000 Saudi citizens by 2030. They also partnered with IBM to establish an artificial intelligence Innovation Center in Saudi Arabia.