Saudi Arabia showcases the achievements of its Quality of Life Program in Davos
The Swiss city of Davos witnessed a notable Saudi presence, as the Quality of Life Program , one of the key initiatives for achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030, showcased fundamental transformations in the Kingdom's social and economic landscape. This took place during a keynote session titled "NextOn," held as part of the "Saudi House" pavilion organized by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, coinciding with the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting from January 19 to 23.
Economic figures reflect the scale of change
In a detailed presentation by Sultan Al-Mulhem, Director of Sectoral Strategy Development for the program, figures were revealed reflecting the tangible impact of quality of life initiatives on the national economy. The contribution of quality of life sectors to the Kingdom's GDP $20.5 billion , a figure that clearly indicates the Kingdom's success in transforming lifestyle-related sectors from purely service-oriented to productive economic drivers.
The success wasn't limited to contributing to GDP; it extended to enhancing the Kingdom's attractiveness to investment. The program and its associated sectors successfully attracted non-governmental investments exceeding $5.8 billion . Furthermore, these transformations contributed to boosting non-oil imports by more than $5.6 billion , directly supporting the goal of diversifying income sources and reducing dependence on oil.
Vision 2030: From Infrastructure to Quality of Life
To understand the significance of this event in Davos, one must consider the historical and strategic context of the Quality of Life Program's launch in 2018. The concept of development in Saudi Arabia is no longer limited to traditional infrastructure; thanks to Vision 2030, into a holistic approach focused on "humanizing cities" and improving the quality of life for individuals and families. The program aims to create an environment that supports and fosters new options, enhancing the participation of citizens and residents in cultural, recreational, and sporting activities.
Al-Mulhem explained during the session that the vision played a crucial role in establishing this comprehensive concept, which is not limited to the social dimension of promoting healthy lifestyles, but extends beyond it to maximize the economic impact, creating thousands of new jobs in the tourism, entertainment, culture, and sports sectors.
Saudi Arabia as a pivotal player in the global dialogue
The Kingdom's participation in the Davos Forum is of paramount strategic importance, as the forum is the world's leading platform for shaping future economic trends. By showcasing its "Quality of Life" experience, Saudi Arabia presents a pioneering global model for balancing economic development with social welfare.
This session underscores Saudi Arabia's leadership in building an integrated system that enhances the attractiveness of its cities, not only for living but also for working and investing, thus raising the ranking of Saudi cities in global quality of life indices. The international dialogue led by the Kingdom in Davos on these issues reflects its regional and international influence and highlights its success in transforming development challenges into promising investment opportunities, making it a preferred destination for global talent and foreign capital seeking a vibrant and sustainable environment.
