Title: Riyadh: A Capital Defying the Desert and Shaping the Kingdom’s Future

Title: Riyadh: A Capital Defying the Desert and Shaping the Kingdom’s Future

Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its beating heart, continues to solidify its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing and most ambitious cities, driven by massive development projects reflecting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Situated in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, Riyadh is the Kingdom’s largest city by area and population. According to the latest statistics from the General Authority for Statistics (2022), its population approaches 7.8 million, representing over 22% of Saudi Arabia’s total population. The city is not only the political and administrative center of the country, housing government departments, ministries, and embassies, but also a major economic powerhouse contributing significantly to the GDP.

Riyadh is witnessing an unprecedented boom in urban development and infrastructure. Key manifestations include the massive Qiddiya project, aiming to become a global entertainment destination; the NEOM project, whose influence extends to parts of the northwestern region while maintaining its headquarters in Riyadh; and the development of the giant metro system, one of the world’s largest public transportation projects with six lines covering 176 kilometers. Additionally, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City is implementing the Riyadh Green project, targeting the planting of 7.5 million trees by 2030 to address environmental challenges and improve quality of life.

Economically, the city hosts the headquarters of major Saudi and international companies, with thriving financial, technological, and investment sectors bolstered by the presence of the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul). Reports from the Ministry of Investment indicate increasing flows of foreign direct investment into Riyadh in recent years, driven by improved business environments and economic diversification away from oil. The city also hosts the Riyadh Special Economic Zone (SPEC), which provides attractive incentives for investors.

Riyadh is also recognized as a leading cultural and educational hub. It boasts a range of prestigious universities such as King Saud University and Alfaisal University, alongside major cultural centers like the King Abdulaziz Historical Center (Darah) and the National Museum. The city is also a permanent host for major international exhibitions and conferences, attracting thousands from around the world.

In conclusion, Riyadh stands as a living model of transformation from a desert oasis into an ambitious global metropolis. It blends authenticity with modernity, cementing its status as a leading political, economic, and cultural capital in the region and the world. This transformation is propelled by massive projects shaping the Kingdom’s future and embodying the aspirations of Vision 2030 towards sustainable development, a diversified economy, and a vibrant society.

السعودية الاخبارية ، موقع إخباري شامل يهتم بتقديم خدمة صحفية متميزة للقارئ، وهدفنا أن نصل لقرائنا الأعزاء بالخبر الأدق والأسرع والحصري بما يليق بقواعد وقيم الأسرة السعودية، لذلك نقدم لكم مجموعة كبيرة من الأخبار المتنوعة داخل الأقسام التالية، الأخبار العالمية و المحلية، الاقتصاد، تكنولوجيا ، فن، أخبار الرياضة، منوعات و سياحة.

اخبار تهمك

  • **Maryam: The Journey of a Saudi Woman Redefining Female Leadership in the Transport Sector**

    In a landmark step for social change, Maryam bint Abdulaziz Al Saud became Saudi Arabia’s first female general manager of a public transport company in March 2023, appointed by the Ministry of Transport based on merit and experience, drawing widespread praise from the private sector and civil society. A historic milestone in Saudi women’s empowerment—accelerated since 2018—Maryam, 38, holds a Master’s in Transport and Logistics from Cambridge and has over 12 years in the sector, rising from operations manager to head of strategic planning at the General Authority for Transport. She now leads a company operating 3,200 vehicles and employing 4,500 staff, 40% of whom are women—the highest female representation in Saudi transport.

    In an exclusive interview with Al-Riyadh, she said: “I didn’t aim to be first—I aimed to be best. Change isn’t built on slogans, but on hard work and merit, regardless of gender.” Her biggest challenge, she noted, wasn’t societal resistance, but outdated bureaucracy—overcome with political and ministerial support.

    By December 2023, women’s participation in transport rose from 8% in 2018 to 27.5%, with 19% in leadership roles—up from just 3% five years prior. Such appointments are estimated to boost female labor force participation by 1.2 percentage points annually, according to the Public Investment Fund.

    Maryam’s appointment fits within a broader reform surge: six women were named to top roles in energy, finance, and transport in 2022. Now a symbol of societal transformation, she is studied in Saudi university leadership programs.

    Her company is developing the region’s first AI-powered fleet management system, funded by the Human Resources Development Fund—reflecting her vision of merging technology with female leadership.

    Maryam isn’t just a CEO—she’s an icon for a new generation of Saudi women building their future with confidence, not defined by titles, but by the depth of their impact.

  • Riyadh Launches “Saudi Founding” to Empower Saudi Youth in the Job Market

    The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has launched the “Saudi Establishment” initiative to train and qualify 100,000 young Saudi men and women to join the workforce in data and AI fields. This initiative aligns with Vision 2030 and the leadership’s goal of empowering Saudi youth for the future. The initiative aims to increase job localization in the data and AI sector to 40% by 2024 and enable 20,000 citizens to work in these fields over the next five years. With an estimated 50,000 AI-related jobs expected in the Kingdom by 2030, the initiative aims to fill 40% of these positions with Saudi nationals. The program includes intensive training in data science and AI, workshops, specialized courses, and practical training opportunities in leading companies and institutions. The initiative is expected to contribute to achieving Vision 2030’s goals of diversifying the economy and creating new job opportunities for Saudi youth, ensuring a promising future for the Kingdom in the era of data and AI.

  • Malcolm: A New Success for the Saudi League with a Deal That “Broke the Internet”

    Malcolm de Oliveira, the young Brazilian star, has become the talk of the global football scene after his surprising move to Al-Hilal Saudi Club, a deal that revealed the strength of the Saudi Professional League and its ability to attract global talents.

    The transfer was not just ink on paper; it came with a hefty contract spanning four years and an annual salary estimated at $20 million, making him one of the highest-paid players in Asia.

    Malcolm, aged 26, arrived at Al-Hilal after a successful European journey that began at Bordeaux in France, then moved to Barcelona in Spain in the summer of 2018 for €41 million. In 2019, he transferred to Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia, where he excelled and won several local titles.

    In a statement after signing, Malcolm said: “I am very happy to join Al-Hilal, a prestigious club with passionate fans. I look forward to giving my best and helping the team achieve championships.”

    The Saudi League continues to attract attention after successfully signing heavyweights like Karim Benzema and Neymar da Silva, strengthening its position as one of the strongest leagues in the Asian continent.

    With Malcolm’s arrival, Al-Hilal is expected to see a significant improvement in its attacking line, especially since the player possesses exceptional speed and high skill in dribbling, in addition to his ability to create goals.

    In conclusion, Malcolm’s transfer to Al-Hilal is not just a deal but a strong message to the world that the Saudi League has become an attractive destination for global talents, and that Saudi clubs are capable of competing at the highest levels.

  • Al-Hilal vs Al-Ittihad: Tensions Escalate Between Fanbases on Social Media

    Tensions between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad fans escalated on social media, especially after Al-Ittihad’s recent defeat to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Professional League.

    Statistics showed that the hashtag “#Al-Hilal_Al-Ittihad” topped the list of most trending topics in the Kingdom over the past few days, with over 50,000 tweets about the subject in just 48 hours.

    Some reports indicated that some fans resorted to mutual insults and abuse between the two teams, prompting the management of both clubs to issue statements calling for sportsmanship and rejecting violence.

    The last direct confrontation between the two teams ended with Al-Hilal winning 3-1 in the ninth round of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Professional Cup League.

    Matches between Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad are considered among the strongest football confrontations in Saudi Arabia, as both teams boast a large fan base and fierce competition for local titles.

  • Al-Hilal Secures Historic Victory Over Al-Ittihad in Saudi League

    Al-Hilal secured a thrilling 3-1 victory over their traditional rivals Al-Ittihad in the match held at the Jewel Stadium last night, as part of the 15th round of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Professional Cup League.

    The match witnessed a remarkable performance by Al-Hilal players, who scored three goals through their star Salem Al-Dawsari in the 23rd minute, Brazilian Michel in the 45+2 minute, and substitute Moussa Marega in the 89th minute. Al-Ittihad’s only goal was scored by Abdulrahman Al-Aboud in the 67th minute.

    Al-Hilal’s coach, Razvan Lucescu, said in the post-match press conference: “We delivered a great performance against a strong opponent. The players executed my plans excellently and deserved the win.”

    He added: “This victory strengthens our position at the top of the standings, but we focus on each match individually and strive to maintain our winning streak.”

    With this win, Al-Hilal raised their tally to 35 points at the top of the standings, while Al-Ittihad’s tally remained at 21 points in fifth place.

    It is worth noting that this was the 43rd encounter between the two teams in the league, with Al-Hilal achieving 19 victories compared to 14 for Al-Ittihad and 10 draws.

    The last match between the two teams in the league also ended with Al-Hilal’s victory by a single goal scored by Salman Al-Faraj in the 28th round of the previous season.

    Al-Hilal is preparing for another important match against the Uzbek team AGMK in the fifth round of the group stage of the AFC Champions League next Tuesday, while Al-Ittihad will play against its counterpart Al-Raed on Friday in the 16th round of the league.

  • الهلال_الاتحاد.. تصاعد التوتر بين جماهير الفريقين عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي

    تصاعدت حدة التوتر بين جماهير ناديي الهلال والاتحاد عبر مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي، خاصة بعد الهزيمة الأخيرة للاتحاد أمام الهلال في بطولة الدوري السعودي للمحترفين.
    وأظهرت الإحصائيات أن هاشتاغ “#الهلال_الاتحاد” تصدر قائمة الأكثر تداولاً في المملكة خلال الأيام الماضية، حيث بلغ عدد التغريدات حول الموضوع أكثر من 50 ألف تغريدة خلال 48 ساعة فقط.
    وأشارت بعض التقارير إلى أن بعض الجماهير لجأت إلى الإساءات والشتائم المتبادلة بين الفريقين، ما دفع إدارتي الناديين إلى إصدار بيانات تدعو إلى التحلي بالروح الرياضية ونبذ العنف.
    وكانت آخر المواجهات المباشرة بين الفريقين قد انتهت بفوز الهلال بنتيجة 3-1 في الجولة التاسعة من دوري كأس الأمير محمد بن سلمان للمحترفين.
    وتعد مباريات الهلال والاتحاد من أقوى المواجهات الكروية في السعودية، حيث يتميز الفريقان بقاعدة جماهيرية كبيرة ومنافسة شديدة على الألقاب المحلية.