Saudi Arabia will continue efforts to ease regional tensions and pursue diplomatic solutions while taking decisive action against any threat to its security, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Wednesday.
Addressing the opening of the third year of the ninth session of the Shoura Council on behalf of King Salman, the crown prince said recent attacks against Gulf states had demonstrated that the security and stability of the Gulf countries were closely interconnected.
He said Saudi Arabia was making every possible effort to reduce tensions and support diplomatic initiatives while maintaining its security and sovereignty.
The crown prince said the Kingdom was coordinating with its Gulf partners to strengthen regional security, expand strategic cooperation, promote economic integration and enhance joint action.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Makkah Defense Pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, describing it as part of joint efforts to promote regional security and stability.
He expressed appreciation to countries that had supported Saudi Arabia and contributed to efforts aimed at strengthening regional peace and security.
Addressing global security and energy concerns, the crown prince said the world was facing an energy crisis that could have wide-ranging consequences.
He said Saudi Arabia had continued to support global energy security by maintaining oil supplies to international markets despite rising regional tensions.
The Kingdom had also launched the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance to strengthen maritime security, safeguard shared interests in international waterways and prevent strategic waterways from being used as instruments of political or economic pressure.
He stressed the need for greater international cooperation to reduce tensions and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential goods and humanitarian assistance.
The crown prince condemned continued attacks against Palestinians in Gaza and violations involving Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to work toward a lasting political settlement.
He also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Palestinian rights, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law.
On Yemen, the crown prince said Saudi Arabia continued to support the Yemeni government in efforts to extend state authority, restore stability and confront attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi movement.
He also reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for Sudan’s unity and stability and the preservation of its legitimate state institutions.
Turning to the domestic economy, the crown prince highlighted progress under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation programme.
He said 93 percent of the targets under Vision 2030 programmes and strategies had been achieved over the past decade.
Non-oil exports have increased by 155 percent compared with 2016, while the private sector’s contribution to the economy has reached 51 percent, he said.
The Public Investment Fund has introduced a five-year strategy aimed at developing competitive local economic sectors through private-sector partnerships, increasing local content and generating sustainable financial returns.
Saudi Arabia has also recorded progress across several digital and investment indicators, including rankings in digital readiness, ICT development, cybersecurity and digital government maturity.
The crown prince said the Kingdom’s decision to designate 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence reflected its ambition to become a global leader in AI applications and solutions.
He said the country aimed to use artificial intelligence to improve productivity, enhance service quality and develop Saudi talent.
The crown prince further said economic and institutional reforms had strengthened the resilience of the national economy and improved the government’s ability to respond to regional and global developments.
He also highlighted ongoing reforms in education, healthcare, employment and the real estate sector, saying the government’s central objective remained national development, prosperity and improving the quality of life.
