Riyadh – BETH

Saudi Arabia delivered one of its strongest international appearances in the global industrial arena today, through a distinguished presence at the Global Industry Summit 2025 in Riyadh—showcasing its advanced industrial vision, its leadership in sustainable manufacturing, and its central role in empowering youth worldwide.

A Saudi Industrial Vision Before World Leaders

His Excellency Eng. Khalil bin Ibrahim bin Salamah, Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Industrial Affairs, participated in a high-level session during which the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) presented its “Vision 2050” and launched the Industrial Development Report 2026.

The session, titled “Preparing for the Future of Manufacturing,” brought together global leaders, policymakers, and international experts from Brazil, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and major global organizations, in a deep discussion about the forces reshaping global industry, including:

The green transformation

Digital technologies

The restructuring of global value chains

During his intervention, Eng. bin Salamah stated:

“The world has reached a point where continuing with traditional methods is no longer an option. It is time for bold, forward-looking decisions that allow developing nations to leap ahead—not merely try to catch up.”

He highlighted the progress made under the National Industrial Strategy, emphasizing:

Strategic investments in R&D

Expansion of industrial sectors

Strengthened supply chains

Investment in human capital to ensure sustainable industrial growth

He stressed that early entry into high-value green manufacturing and advanced technologies is the foundation of global competitiveness in the coming decades.

Saudi Arabia Leads the Global Youth Industrial Transformation

During Youth Day, part of the 21st UNIDO General Conference, His Excellency Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, delivered a keynote speech at a high-level session titled:

“Igniting the Future: Globally Empowering Youth in Industry”

This coincided with the global launch of UNIDO’s Youth Framework.

Al-Khorayef stated:

“Saudi Arabia believes that the future of industry will be built by the creativity, ambition, and leadership of young people. Under Vision 2030, youth are not beneficiaries of change—they are the engineers of a new global industrial model.”

He emphasized the Kingdom’s long-term commitment to youth empowerment, noting that:

Over 60% of the Saudi population is under 35

Women’s participation in the industrial sector has reached 37%

High-quality jobs are being created to strengthen youth contributions to industrial growth

He also highlighted major strides in enabling youth across the industrial ecosystem through:

Advanced testing platforms for emerging technologies

Specialized innovation laboratories

Robust technology-transfer systems

Accelerator programs for SMEs in Industry 4.0 and clean technologies

National competitions to solve real-sector challenges

He affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to working with UNIDO and global partners to expand opportunities for youth worldwide, stating that the future of global manufacturing will be shaped by nations that succeed in unleashing the potential of their young people.

Saudi Arabia… A Central Force in Redefining Global Industry

By hosting the Global Industry Summit 2025, the Kingdom reinforces:

Its expanding role in shaping global industrial policy

Its commitment to innovation, green transformation, and inclusive, sustainable development

Its position as a proactive architect—not a passive observer—of the future industrial landscape

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BETH Commentary

The summit was not just an event…
It was a declaration of Saudi Arabia’s new role in leading the future of global industry.

Key messages:

Saudi Arabia is no longer on the margins of the industrial scene—
 it is at its center.

Youth are no longer waiting for outcomes—
 they are shaping them.

The Kingdom’s industrial vision goes beyond factories and machines—
 it is engineering a fully integrated economic, technological, and human future.

In short:
Riyadh is not discussing the future of industry… it is rewriting it.