Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Plan was developed by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and publicly announced in 2016 under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Vision represents a multidimensional development strategy aimed at facilitating the country’s long-term economic and social transformation. It is built upon three core pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. These three themes provide a foundational framework that guides both the country’s domestic policies and its international engagement strategies.
Under the pillar of a vibrant society, the plan emphasizes strengthening cultural identity, preserving Islamic heritage, and enhancing social welfare. Increasing the number of Umrah visitors, establishing the largest Islamic museum in the world, and securing new cultural sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage list are key examples of this objective. The thriving economy pillar is centered on diversifying the economy beyond oil, promoting innovation, and fostering development led by the private sector. Lastly, the ambitious nation pillar includes structural reforms such as transparency in governance, efficiency in public services, and the institutionalization of social responsibility.
Vision 2030 Logo
Mega Projects and Urban Transformation Initiatives
Within the scope of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has launched a series of large-scale projects aligned with its spatial transformation goals. These projects aim not only to promote economic and physical development but also to construct a renewed international image and establish the country as a global destination. The “NEOM” project stands as one of the most prominent examples. Located in the Tabuk region in the northwest, NEOM aspires to present a model of sustainable urbanism and renewable energy–based living. Within NEOM, the urban zone known as “The Line” is designed to minimize the carbon footprint and foster a lifestyle in harmony with nature.
Similarly, the “Qiddiya” project, located near Riyadh, is envisioned as a living space that integrates entertainment, sports, and cultural functions. The “New Murabba” project, designed as a new urban district in Riyadh’s city center, encompasses structures centered on culture, tourism, and commerce across an area of 19 square kilometers. Its emblematic architectural structure, the “Mukaab,” aims not only to capture attention with its form but also to contribute to national identity through urban symbolism.
The “Rua Al Madinah” project aims to increase the capacity for accommodating pilgrims in the city of Medina and enhance its tourism potential by establishing a cultural destination around the holy sites. Preservation and revitalization efforts planned for Jeddah’s historical center also seek to protect cultural heritage while improving urban livability. These initiatives go beyond the physical transformation of settlements to incorporate multidimensional interventions that aim to enhance quality of life.
New Murabba (Vision 2030)
Economic Diversification and Investment Strategies
One of the principal objectives of Vision 2030 is to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependency on oil and build a multifaceted economic structure. In this regard, privatization policies and public-private partnership mechanisms play a crucial role. The National Center for Privatization and PPP (NCP), established in 2018, is one of the key institutional actors managing this process. The NCP promotes the participation of foreign investors and the private sector in public services and infrastructure projects, contributing to the goals of sustainable development.
In line with this strategy, five special economic zones have been established: Riyadh Integrated Special Logistics Zone, King Abdullah Economic City, Ras Al Khair, Jazan, and the Special Economic Zone for Cloud Computing and Information Technology. These zones offer tax and administrative incentives to international investors and support industrial clustering in logistics, manufacturing, and technology sectors. Through these zones, the goals are to boost industrial production, diversify employment opportunities, and integrate into global trade networks.
Energy policy is also a key component of this diversification agenda. With wind farms and solar arrays established in Al-Jouf, the aim is for 50% of national energy consumption to come from renewable sources by 2030. Projects like the King Salman Energy Park and the AlKhafji Desalination Plant promote local production and the use of sustainable technology within the energy sector. The Ceer brand, developed for electric vehicle manufacturing, is seen as a major milestone in the country’s industrial transformation and a strategic initiative for local employment and technology transfer.
Qiddiya (Vision 2030)
Cultural Heritage, Education, and Human-Centered Development
Vision 2030 supports economic development not only through structural reforms but also through the preservation of cultural heritage, the renewal of the education system, and the advancement of human capital. This strategy aims to place the individual at the center of sustainable social development and to strengthen national identity. Numerous public projects in the fields of culture, art, and sports have been launched in this context.
Among the cultural initiatives is the Riyadh Art program, which seeks to transform the capital into an open-air art gallery and contribute to urban quality of life. Conservation and restoration efforts for UNESCO World Heritage sites are actively being implemented in locations such as the Historic Jeddah District and Al-Ula. Projects integrating cultural and adventure tourism in areas such as the Sudah Hills and Asir region reflect comprehensive development approaches that include local economic participation.
The goal of enhancing human capital in education is supported through initiatives such as the King Salman Human Capital Development Program, which aims to train 500,000 public employees in good governance and service delivery. The modernization of the education system includes the aspiration for at least five Saudi universities to rank among the world’s top 200 higher education institutions by 2030.
Human-centered projects such as Misk City aim to offer an integrated urban experience by combining office, education, art, sports, and residential spaces through a nonprofit model. In parallel, King Salman Park and Green Riyadh projects aim to enhance quality of life by promoting environmental sustainability.
Reforms in public health, housing, and public services are also part of this human-centered development. Through the ROSHN project, it is intended that 70% of Saudi citizens will own homes by 2030. Digitalization of public services is expected to reduce bureaucracy and increase citizen satisfaction. Collectively, these initiatives illustrate that Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformation not only economically, but also culturally and socially.
