Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Priorities: Hajj Security, Regional Stability, and Economic Diversification

This article was translated using artificial intelligence and the original language of the article is Arabic.

1. Crown Prince’s Directives for Hajj 2024: A Security and Logistical Blueprint
HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister, has issued comprehensive directives to ensure the highest levels of security, efficiency, and comfort for this year’s Hajj pilgrims. Key measures include:

• Enhanced Security Protocols: Strengthened surveillance and crowd management in Makkah, Madinah, and holy sites.
• Streamlined Pilgrim Arrival: Expansion of the Makkah Route initiative to expedite visa processing and entry procedures.
• Commitment to Service Excellence: Reaffirming Saudi Arabia’s role as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, prioritizing pilgrims’ safety and accessibility.

2. Saudi Arabia’s Geopolitical Stance: Mediation and Rejection of Escalation
The Cabinet addressed critical regional developments, underscoring Riyadh’s diplomatic approach:

• Sudan Crisis: Demanded an immediate ceasefire and endorsed an internally led political resolution to preserve Sudan’s sovereignty.
• Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Renewed calls for a two-state solution and unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza.
• Syrian Sovereignty: Condemned Israeli airstrikes in Syria as violations of international law, warning of regional destabilization.

3. Economic Resilience: Non-Oil Growth and Digital Transformation
Saudi Arabia’s economic trajectory reflects Vision 2030 milestones:

• Export Diversification: Non-oil exports hit a record high in 2024, signaling reduced hydrocarbon dependency.
• Private Sector Mobilization: Increased FDI and public-private partnerships (PPPs) driving giga-project development.
• E-Government Leadership: Ranked 1st in MENA for digital governance (3rd consecutive year), per UN benchmarks.
• Transparency Leap: Jumped 92 spots in the Open Data Inventory, reflecting institutional reforms.

4. Domestic Policy Shifts: Housing and Governance Reforms

• National Strategy Governance Model: A unified framework to align ministries with Vision 2030 KPIs.
• Housing Market Liberalization: Municipalities granted authority to sell subsidized units to non-beneficiaries, boosting market liquidity.