Saudi Arabia Tops Edelman’s Trust Index for National Leadership

Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Tops Edelman’s Trust Index for National Leadership

Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has topped the global trust rankings in Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer. The report from the global consulting and PR firm shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals.
The 24th edition of the report also finds that 78% of respondents trust the Saudi business sector, and over 80% have strong confidence in the nation's leaders and scientists to manage innovation.
Despite global worries about new regulations and tech trends, Saudi Arabia scored a high trust level of 56%, the highest among the 28 countries surveyed.
The Kingdom also leads in trust regarding AI regulations, surpassing the US at 24%, France and Japan at 23%, the UK at 18%, Germany at 27%, and South Korea at 28%.
The report highlights trust in clean energy and AI as crucial for "Saudi Vision 2030". The Kingdom has a 68% trust level in regulated AI technologies, well above the global average of 50%.
Arent Jan Hesselink, CEO of Edelman Europe, Middle East, and Africa, noted that innovation is key to Saudi Arabia’s progress, but stressed the importance of clear communication and transparency to build trust in managing new technologies.
“Innovation is the protagonist of our annual Trust Barometer study this year. The public needs assurance that emerging technologies from business have been evaluated by scientists and effectively regulated by the government,” said Hesselink.
“People need to understand and feel in control over the impact of technological innovations in their lives,” he added.
Elie Azzi, General Manager at Edelman KSA, said: “Guided by high levels of public trust and the Kingdom’s solid confidence in government and their leadership in the transformative objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, there is a real opportunity to demonstrate innovation's deep impact on both the economy and society. It's important for the Kingdom to continue to demonstrate through communications and storytelling that innovation will bring us a better future.”
“Saudi Arabia's proactive approach to innovation and a strong regulatory framework have resulted in a high level of trust in new technologies. This trust is crucial as the Kingdom advances towards its Vision 2030 and demonstrates how effective management and clear communication of technological advancements can result in widespread public support that drives economic growth”, Azzi commented.
The annual Edelman Trust Barometer surveyed 32,000 people across 28 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Japan, Ireland, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Germany, Australia, the US, Singapore, China, Argentina, Malaysia, Kenya, France, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, Spain, Colombia, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, and India.
The report examines trust in business leaders, media, governments, and NGOs, guiding dialogue and priorities for the year ahead.



Saudi Arabia: Political Solution Only Way to Resolve Sudan’s Crisis

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia: Political Solution Only Way to Resolve Sudan’s Crisis

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government urged on Tuesday the warring parties in Sudan to reach a ceasefire, end the conflict and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.

It stressed that a political solution was the only way to end the crisis, reiterating the need to commit to the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet session that was held in Riyadh.

The ministers reviewed regional developments and Saudi Arabia’s tireless efforts, along with the international community, to establish peace and security in the region.

These efforts were demonstrated in its hosting of the inaugural meeting of the Global Alliance for Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Ninety countries and regional and international organizations took part to discuss establishing an independent Palestinian state.

The cabinet also highlighted the Kingdom's call for a joint Arab-Islamic follow-up summit this month, which will address the continued Israeli assault on Palestinian and Lebanese territories.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the cabinet on his meetings and talks with leaders of several brotherly and friendly countries, which focused on relations and ways to boost them in various fields.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary told the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet praised the outcome of the third meeting of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council security committee, and the initiatives carried out that contribute to advancing the strong fraternal relations toward new horizons.

The Cabinet commended the outcome of the second ministerial meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council economic and investment committee. It noted the progress toward achieving the two countries' common goals, particularly in the fields of industry, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, food security, climate sciences, and sustainable transportation.

The Cabinet discussed the Kingdom's participation in the recent G20 meetings, where it highlighted efforts to promote sustainability in education, invest in innovation and entrepreneurship, and its ongoing contributions in addressing global health challenges.

On the domestic level, the Cabinet noted the Kingdom's significant advancement, of 15 places, in the 2023 international tourist revenue rankings compared to 2019, leading the top 50 rankings in upward movement. This achievement underscores the Kingdom's global leadership and ongoing success in the tourism sector.