Saudi Arabia: Our position is firm in supporting the rights of the Palestinian people and establishing their independent state

He appreciated countries standing alongside Saudi Arabia and their contributions to enhancing security and stability.

He pointed out that the attacks targeting all Cooperation Council countries confirm that Gulf security and stability are an indivisible whole, adding: "We work with our brothers to safeguard Gulf security, pursue strategic cooperation and economic integration, and continue implementing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' vision to enhance joint action in a way that achieves the council's objectives and fulfills the aspirations of its citizens."

Speech Text

Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the most honorable of prophets and messengers, our Prophet Muhammad, and upon all his family and companions

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister

Their Royal Highnesses the Princes

Their Eminences, Excellencies, and Graces

Distinguished Audience

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you:

Your Royal Highness:

It is a blessed day among the days of the Shura Council as it celebrates your arrival and grace at this happy occasion where you graciously deliver the annual royal address and open the proceedings of the third year of the ninth session of the Shura Council on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud -may God protect him-. Welcome, Your Royal Highness, and may God bless your steps and endeavors.

Your Royal Highness:

Since its establishment, the Shura Council has enjoyed the support and attention of the wise leadership, which has made it a pillar of development in this dear homeland. Today, it draws from (Saudi Vision 2030) all meanings of achievement and initiative after ten years since its launch—a vision that has contributed, thanks to God and then your continuous esteemed follow-up, to turning ambitions into a reality full of achievements attested to by figures and indicators in all fields.

Your Royal Highness:

Today, under this blessed patronage by Your Royal Highness, the Shura Council continues its national mission in studying regulations and monitoring performance. During the second year of the ninth session, the council held forty-six (46) sessions and issued five hundred and fifty-five (555) decisions concerning regulations, bylaws, agreements, treaties, memorandums of understanding, and annual reports of government agencies. Externally, and stemming from our country's political and economic weight at both regional and international levels, the council continued its presence and effectiveness through its membership in various parliamentary unions and organizations, and its extensive relations with many parliaments of fraternal and friendly countries. The contribution and cooperation of government agencies also had a significant impact on accomplishing many tasks related to the council's competence.

Your Royal Highness:

Your grace at today's occasion is an extension of the attention and great status that the Shura Council enjoys from the wise leadership. In concluding this speech, I cannot but renew my welcome to Your Royal Highness, expressing on my own behalf and on behalf of the council's officials, members, and affiliates, my utmost thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Your Royal Highness for the continuous support for the council and its work, and for all the progress and elevation achieved for this country. Before Your Royal Highness, I also thank all council members and affiliates for their efforts, asking Almighty God to grant you success and guide your steps, and to perpetuate for our country the goodness, prosperity, and stability it enjoys; He is Hearing and Responsive.

And peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you

On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud -may God protect him-, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, delivered the annual royal address, the text of which follows:

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Brothers and Sisters:

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you

On behalf of my master, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud -may God protect him-, with God's help, we open the proceedings of the third year of the ninth session of the Shura Council, asking Almighty God to grant us success.

In the upcoming Founding Day, our blessed state completes (300) years since its inception. Throughout all its stages, it has been based on the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, adhering to monotheism and justice—an approach we will never deviate from while preserving its heritage and authentic values, which grow deeper and stronger with time. This is what has made the citizen increasingly adhere to their pure creed and firm national identity.

God has honored our state with serving the Two Holy Mosques, expanding them, and caring for those who visit them. This comes as an extension of our inherited commitment in this regard, and out of pride in this great honor bestowed upon us by God.

Brothers and Sisters:

Ten eventful years of Vision 2030, during which the performance indicators for the vision's programs and strategies achieved (93%) of their targets, thanks to God and then the performance and efficiency of male and female citizens who were the source of every success.

Non-oil exports recorded a growth of (155%) compared to 2016, reflecting the growing presence of this sector's products, while the private sector's contribution to the economy rose to (51%). The transport and logistics system demonstrated its ability to deal with changes in supply chains and maintain the smooth movement of goods and services.

The Public Investment Fund has commenced its strategy for the next five years, focusing on building local economic systems with high competitive capabilities through a pivotal partnership with the private sector, enhancing local content to achieve economic transformation, and reaching sustainable financial returns at the same time. Meanwhile, the National Development Fund has contributed to developing many sectors, supported by annual funding that ensures the achievement of their targets.

The Kingdom is advancing globally in many indicators, including first place in the Digital Readiness Index, the ICT Development Index, and the Cybersecurity Index, and second place in the Digital Government Maturity Index, while also entering the top ten most attractive countries for mining investment.

We have named the year 2026 the year of "Artificial Intelligence" to affirm our keenness for the Kingdom to be a global leader in developing artificial intelligence applications and solutions, investing in them to increase productivity, improve service quality, and train Saudi competencies.

Brothers and Sisters:

The events currently witnessed by the region have proven that long-term planning does not mean rigidity and stagnation, but rather the ability to adapt to changes.

In light of the successive transformations witnessed by the world, the importance of reforms that have enhanced economic diversification and contributed to increasing the Kingdom's ability to deal with crises becomes evident, succeeding in turning threats into opportunities to strengthen the Kingdom's position and continue its development priorities with efficiency and sustainability.

Perhaps current conditions are evidence of the national economy's flexibility, the maturity of its institutions' capabilities, the strength of state apparatus capabilities, and its financial sustainability.

The essence of the Kingdom's economic policies is the development of national capabilities and potentials, empowering promising sectors, attracting local and international investments, and directing resources toward areas with the highest economic and social impact, so as to preserve its ability to finance development priorities and ensure the sustainability of achievements for future generations.

The primary goal of everything the state does is the elevation and prosperity of the homeland and the improvement of the quality of life therein. The education and health sectors top our continuous attention and have priority in the state budget. The decision regarding the general education system came to fulfill aspirations that raise the quality of education to an advanced global rank, and the health transformation is making rapid strides so that health services are at their highest levels and available with comprehensive coverage for citizens.

Along with success in lowering unemployment rates, we are working on investing in human capital in a way that contributes to maximizing opportunities for citizens to enter the labor market, enabling them to compete and excel in all fields, to be the driving force of development.

Real estate sector reform measures have resulted in providing multiple options for citizens, enhancing the efficiency of the real estate market, and raising homeownership rates. We continue working to address the challenges facing this sector and are proceeding with taking steps that bring benefits to citizens in all aspects of their lives, without affecting development and the resources of future generations, and ensuring the financial and economic stability of the state.

Brothers and Sisters:

Your country possesses highly efficient human and military capabilities, capable—with God Almighty's help—of fully addressing and deterring threats regardless of their sources.

The attacks targeting all Cooperation Council countries confirm that Gulf security and stability are an indivisible whole, and we work with our brothers to safeguard Gulf security, pursue strategic cooperation and economic integration, and continue implementing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' vision to enhance joint action in a way that achieves the council's objectives and fulfills the aspirations of its citizens.

In the context of our contributions to enhancing the region's stability, sparing it the consequences of tension and conflicts, and coordinating efforts, the "Makkah Defense Alliance" was established between the Kingdom, the Republic of Turkey, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, stemming from our joint efforts to play our role in bolstering security and stability in the region. In this regard, we appreciate the stance of sisterly and friendly countries standing alongside the Kingdom and their contributions to enhancing security and stability.

Today, the world is exposed to an open-ended energy crisis, during which the Kingdom served as a safety valve for global energy security through its ability to provide oil supplies to international markets despite escalation. It also initiated the establishment of the "Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance" to enhance maritime security, protect shared interests in international maritime corridors, and reject the exploitation of these corridors as a tool for political or economic pressure. The Kingdom is making every effort with partners to work on boosting international cooperation to preserve security, de-escalate, and defuse tensions to achieve regional and international stability, while emphasizing the urgent need for the international community to assume its responsibilities to ensure the safe flow of essential goods and humanitarian aid.

We strongly condemn the ongoing brutal attacks by the occupation authorities against our brothers in Palestine in the Gaza Strip, as well as their multiple violations of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. We call upon the international community, and the Peace Council in particular, to exercise its anticipated role to achieve a lasting political solution.

The Kingdom's commitment to the rights of the Palestinian people is a steadfast stance and a continuous effort that will not stop until the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights, including the establishment of their independent state in accordance with international references.

In sisterly Yemen, the Kingdom reaffirms its comprehensive support—through the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen—for the Yemeni government to extend its authority over the entire country, restore stability, and confront the attacks of the terrorist Houthi militias, which have chosen chaos, destruction, and threatening the Yemeni people and the region as their path.

The Kingdom also reaffirms its steadfast and supportive position for the unity and stability of Sudan, the preservation of its legitimate institutions, and the sparing of its people from the tragedies of war and destruction.

Brothers and sisters:

We affirm that we are exerting every possible effort to de-escalate and support diplomatic solutions without the slightest complacency in preserving our security, and we will not hesitate to respond decisively to any threat or attack targeting its compromise.

In conclusion, we are proud of our brave heroes for countering all forms of threats, and for their vigilance and constant readiness to ensure that security remains an umbrella for our country, stability its shield, and prosperity its approach.

We also thank our brothers and sisters, the members of the Council, for their appreciated efforts.

Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.