RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman said on Wednesday that the Kingdom would continue efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and pursue diplomatic solutions, while responding decisively to any threat to its security.
Delivering the annual royal address on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, at the opening of the third year of the ninth session of the Shura Council, the Crown Prince said recent attacks targeting Gulf states had demonstrated the “indivisibility of Gulf security and stability”.
“We are exerting every possible effort to de-escalate tensions and support diplomatic solutions without the slightest compromise on preserving our security,” he said. “We will not hesitate to respond decisively to any threat or attack aimed at undermining it.”
The Crown Prince said Saudi Arabia is working with its Gulf partners to safeguard regional security, promote strategic cooperation and economic integration, and strengthen joint action.
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Makkah Defence Alliance for Regional Stability
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also highlighted the establishment of the Makkah Defence Alliance between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, saying the agreement reflected the three countries’ joint efforts to promote regional security and stability.
He expressed gratitude to brotherly and friendly countries for their support for the Kingdom and their contributions to strengthening security and stability.
Energy and Maritime Security
Turning to broader international security concerns, the Crown Prince said the world is facing an energy crisis with potentially far-reaching consequences.
He said Saudi Arabia had continued to support global energy security by maintaining oil supplies to international markets despite escalating tensions.
The Kingdom has also taken the initiative to establish the Multinational Maritime Defence Alliance to strengthen maritime security, protect shared interests in international waterways and reject their use as tools of political or economic pressure, he said.
Saudi Arabia is working with its partners to enhance international cooperation on security, de-escalation and efforts to defuse tensions, while the international community must ensure the safe flow of essential goods and humanitarian aid, the Crown Prince said.
Saudi Arabia Reaffirms Support for Palestine
On Gaza, he strongly condemned the ongoing attacks against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and repeated violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“We call upon the international community, and the Security Council in particular, to play its expected role in reaching a lasting political solution,” he said.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law.
On Yemen, the Crown Prince said Saudi Arabia supported the Yemeni government, through the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy, in its efforts to extend its authority across the country, restore stability and confront attacks by the Houthi militia.
He said the Kingdom also remained committed to supporting Sudan’s unity and stability and preserving its legitimate institutions.
Vision 2030 Drives Economic Transformation
The Crown Prince also highlighted the progress made in Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation under Vision 2030.
He said 93 per cent of the targets set under Vision 2030 programmes and strategies had been achieved over the past decade.
Non-oil exports have increased by 155 per cent compared with 2016, while the private sector’s contribution to the economy has risen to 51 per cent, he said.
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The Public Investment Fund has launched a five-year strategy aimed at developing competitive domestic economic ecosystems through partnerships with the private sector, increasing local content and generating sustainable financial returns.
Saudi Arabia has also made progress across several digital and investment indicators, ranking first in the Digital Readiness Index, ICT Development Index and Cybersecurity Index, and second in the Digital Government Maturity Index, Crown Prince said.
AI and National Development
He also highlighted the Kingdom’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, saying Saudi Arabia aimed to become a global leader in developing AI applications and solutions and using them to improve productivity, service quality and the training of Saudi talent.
The Crown Prince said reforms had strengthened the resilience of the national economy and the capacity of state institutions to respond to regional and global changes.
He also highlighted ongoing reforms in education, healthcare, employment and the real estate sector, saying the government’s primary objective was to advance the nation’s development, promote prosperity and improve quality of life.
