Global Competitiveness, Cybersecurity Leadership, Industry Growth, and New International Partnerships

Jeddah | BETH | B
June 23, 2026

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session held in Jeddah, during which ministers reviewed regional and international developments and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to supporting security, stability, and humanitarian efforts worldwide.

The Cabinet also reviewed national development paths and the continued achievements of Saudi Vision 2030, praising the Kingdom’s progress in global competitiveness indicators and its retention of the world’s top ranking in cybersecurity for the third consecutive year.

Key Outcomes of the Session

• Reaffirmation of Saudi Arabia’s support for regional and global security and stability.
• Recognition of the Kingdom’s rise to 13th globally and third among G20 nations in the 2026 World Competitiveness Ranking.
• Maintaining first place worldwide in cybersecurity for the third consecutive year.
• Commendation of the Health Sector Transformation Program and the expansion of healthy cities.
• Recognition of the strong performance of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP) in supporting non-oil economic growth.
• Approval of an energy cooperation memorandum with Germany.
• Approval of a memorandum of understanding with the United States in education and training.
• Approval of an air transport services agreement with Pakistan.
• Approval of the initiative to design and build the first joint Saudi-Egyptian satellite.
• Approval of executive regulations governing non-Saudi real estate ownership and the geographical areas where ownership is permitted.
• Transformation of the Cultural Archive into the "Saudi Culture Memory Center."

BETH Analysis

From Achievements to Institutionalizing the Saudi Model

Cabinet sessions are no longer limited to reviewing government performance and approving agreements. They increasingly reflect a broader phase aimed at consolidating the Saudi model in development, competitiveness, and the knowledge-based economy.

Progress in global competitiveness, leadership in cybersecurity, expansion of healthcare services, and the performance of NIDLP are not isolated achievements. They represent interconnected components of a broader system designed to enhance quality of life and strengthen the Kingdom’s global standing.

Diversifying Partnerships

The decisions adopted by the Cabinet illustrate Saudi Arabia’s continued strategy of building a broad network of international partnerships, spanning energy cooperation with Germany, education and training with the United States, air transport with Pakistan, municipal cooperation with China, and entrepreneurship collaboration with Oman.

This diversity reflects a strategy focused on expanding options and strengthening economic and technological cooperation across multiple fronts.

An Economy Beyond Oil

The strong performance of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program highlights the Kingdom’s continued success in advancing non-oil sectors and enhancing the attractiveness of industrial, mining, and logistics industries, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.

Investing in the Future

Among the notable decisions was the approval of the first joint Saudi-Egyptian satellite project and the transformation of the Cultural Archive into the Saudi Culture Memory Center.

Although they belong to different sectors, both initiatives reflect the same strategic principle:

Investing in the future while preserving national memory.

What Does It Mean?

The outcomes of the session indicate that Saudi Arabia is focusing not only on achieving higher rankings, but on building an integrated ecosystem that combines:

Competitiveness, cybersecurity, healthcare, industry, space, culture, and international partnerships.

This reflects a transition from implementing individual initiatives to consolidating a long-term development model aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s regional and global presence and transforming separate achievements into cumulative and sustainable strategic advantages.