Riyadh – BETH, September 10, 2025
On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God preserve him – His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, delivered the annual Royal Address inaugurating the second year of the ninth session of the Shura Council.

The Grand Hall of the Shura Council witnessed a remarkable presence of Their Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, ministers, committee chairpersons, and senior officials. The Royal Anthem was played, and H.E. Sheikh Dr. Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Council, delivered a welcoming speech highlighting the Council’s achievements during its first year, issuing 462 resolutions covering government reports, regulations, agreements, and treaties.

The Royal Address

“On behalf of my master, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – may God preserve him – we inaugurate the second year of the ninth session of the Shura Council, asking Almighty God to make success our path and achievement our ally…”
 

Full Text of the Royal Address

On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God preserve him – His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, delivered the annual Royal Address. The following is the text:

“On behalf of my master, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques – may God preserve him – we inaugurate the second year of the ninth session of the Shura Council, asking Almighty God to make success our path and achievement our ally.”

Brothers and sisters,
This state was founded three centuries ago on firm principles based on upholding Islamic Sharia, establishing justice and consultation (shura). We take pride in this blessed path, and God has honored us with the service of the Two Holy Mosques – a responsibility to which we devote all care and attention, and to which we harness all our capabilities.

Brothers and sisters,
Our economy continues diversifying its pathways and confirming its ability to reduce its reliance on oil. For the first time in our history, non-oil activities accounted for 56% of GDP, which exceeded 4.5 trillion riyals. These and other achievements have made the Kingdom a global hub attracting diverse activities. The choice of 660 international companies to establish their regional headquarters in the Kingdom – exceeding the Vision 2030 target – reflects the strength of our infrastructure and the level of our digital services, underscoring the resilience of the Saudi economy and its broad future horizons.

As part of investments in future directions, the agreements signed in the field of artificial intelligence complete important aspects of Vision programs, aiming to make the Kingdom a global center for this sector in the coming years.

We are also working in military programs to raise defense capabilities to the highest global levels. Cooperation with our strategic partners contributes to achieving our targets of localizing the military industry, which has now reached over 19%, compared to just 2% previously.

Brothers and sisters,
The state recognizes that maintaining strong public finances not dependent on a single volatile source of revenue is an essential requirement for sustainable development and economic diversification. Through this, diverse job opportunities can grow. Since the launch of Vision 2030, the state has worked to build this foundation, giving our country a robust economy that has made it a preferred investment destination.

Many of our targets have already been achieved, including reducing the unemployment rate to its lowest levels, raising women’s participation in the labor market to record highs, and reducing the proportion of low-income households.

In this context, we continue assessing the economic and social impact of public spending to ensure that resources are directed toward national priorities, as part of our constant efforts to serve citizens, increase their incomes, improve services, and enhance quality of life for citizens, residents, and visitors.

Today’s strong economic growth has been accompanied by a rise in residential real estate prices in some regions of the Kingdom to unacceptable levels, causing distortions in the sector and raising the average cost of housing relative to citizens’ income. This has required the adoption of policies to restore balance to the sector, reduce housing costs, encourage investment in real estate development, and provide citizens and investors with multiple and suitable options.

The previous stage demonstrated the ability of both public and private sectors to face challenges and adapt swiftly to changing circumstances. The quality of government performance played a key role in absorbing economic shocks, with programs adjusted and refined to be more resilient against fluctuations without halting developmental requirements.

The public interest remains our ultimate goal. We are determined – with God’s help and strength – to achieve and complete these programs. Yet we also affirm that we will not hesitate to cancel or radically amend any programs or targets if the public interest requires it.

Brothers and sisters,
Our domestic achievements proceed hand-in-hand with our efforts to achieve security and stability in the region. We reject and condemn the Israeli occupation authority’s aggressions in the region, the latest of which was the brutal aggression against the sisterly State of Qatar – an act requiring Arab, Islamic, and international action to confront this aggression and take measures to stop the occupation authority and deter its criminal practices aimed at destabilizing the region’s security. We stand with the sisterly State of Qatar in whatever measures it takes without limit, harnessing all our capabilities for that purpose.

We also condemn the continued brutal assaults on our Palestinian brothers in Gaza, including starvation and forced displacement. Gaza is Palestinian land, and its people’s right is inalienable, neither nullified by aggression nor erased by threats. Our position is firm: to protect this right and work earnestly to prevent its violations.

The Arab Peace Initiative, launched by the Kingdom in 2002 and promoted internationally as the framework for the two-state solution, today represents an unprecedented pathway to achieving a Palestinian state. The Kingdom’s intensive efforts have led to an increase in the number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, while the recent international conference in New York on implementing the two-state solution generated unprecedented global consensus in support of this initiative. While we thank all regional and international partners for their effective humanitarian contributions, we reiterate our call for other states to join in this phase.

On Syria, the Kingdom has taken pivotal stances and implemented multiple initiatives, beginning with the success of lifting international sanctions, supporting its unity, and contributing to rebuilding its economy. We also hope for stability in Lebanon, Yemen, and Sudan.

Brothers and sisters,
The Shura Council has a clear imprint and an important role in the achievements realized, through its contributions in developing regulations and completing the legislative framework, ensuring that our country ranks among the most advanced globally in legislative terms.

In conclusion, we affirm that what we work toward is founded upon the elevation of our citizens and the advancement of our beloved homeland in all fields.
Peace be upon you and God’s mercy and blessings.

The Crown Prince’s Address Focused on Three Main Axes

The State’s Firm Foundations:

Reminder that the Kingdom was established three centuries ago on Sharia, justice, and shura.

Emphasis on the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques as a supreme responsibility.

Economic and Developmental Achievements:

Non-oil activities reaching 56% of GDP, exceeding 4.5 trillion riyals.

660 international companies choosing the Kingdom as their regional headquarters, exceeding Vision 2030 targets.

Agreements in AI to strengthen the Kingdom’s role as a global hub.

Military industry localization raised from 2% to over 19%.

Lower unemployment, higher women’s workforce participation, improved incomes and services.

Addressing housing market distortions with balancing policies and broader options for citizens.

Foreign Policy and Regional Issues:

Condemnation of Israeli aggression against Qatar, affirming unlimited Saudi support.

Reaffirmation of the Kingdom’s firm position on Palestine and Gaza.

Emphasis on the Arab Peace Initiative (2002) as the pathway for a two-state solution, highlighting the success of the New York conference.

Support for Syria in lifting sanctions, and hopes for stability in Lebanon, Yemen, and Sudan.

At the conclusion, His Royal Highness stressed that the Kingdom’s work is grounded in elevating the citizen and advancing the nation, with development programs subject to review and refinement to ensure alignment with the public interest.

Expanded Analysis

1. A Strong Internal Message

The address reflected the leadership’s confidence in the strength of the Saudi economy, not only through figures but also by highlighting its ability to transcend oil dependence and transform into a diverse and resilient economy. This reassures citizens that reforms are progressing steadily.

2. A New Regional Framework

For the first time, a Royal Address directly condemned aggression against Qatar, pledging unlimited support. This is a profound signal of redefining Gulf solidarity, positioning Saudi Arabia as the “shield of regional security.”

3. Palestine at the Core

The address reaffirmed the Kingdom’s steadfast stance on Gaza and the two-state solution, tying it to tangible diplomatic achievements in New York. Saudi Arabia here presents itself as an influential diplomatic power, rallying global consensus for a just solution.

4. Balancing Domestic and Foreign Policy

The speech balanced internal developmental achievements with external political stances, confirming that domestic stability is the foundation of external strength, and that elevating citizens’ welfare goes hand-in-hand with safeguarding Arab and Islamic causes.

Commentary

This Royal Address stood out for both its tone and content. Domestically, it carried the language of numbers and achievements; internationally, it carried the language of firmness and solidarity.

What makes the address remarkable is that it did not merely outline the next phase but set out clear commitments:

Commitment to review and correct any program not serving the public interest.

Commitment to unlimited support for Qatar and Palestine.

Commitment to continue building a diverse economy that leads the region.

This is an address that re-affirms Saudi Arabia as a global power, a regional shield, and a developmental reference point at home.