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Reema Bint Bandar to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Human Potential is The New Oil

Saudi Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud speaks during a session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos (World Economic Forum / Boris Baldinger)
Saudi Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud speaks during a session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos (World Economic Forum / Boris Baldinger)
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Reema Bint Bandar to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Human Potential is The New Oil

Saudi Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud speaks during a session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos (World Economic Forum / Boris Baldinger)
Saudi Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al-Saud speaks during a session at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos (World Economic Forum / Boris Baldinger)

Princess Reema Bint Bandar, Undersecretary of the Saudi General Sports Authority and President of the Community Sports Union, said that the presence of Saudi women in different sectors would become natural, stressing that they were already present in every field, but behind the scenes.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, the Saudi princess said that reforms taking place in the Kingdom were not aimed at satisfying the outside world, but the Saudi citizens.

“I am a government employee in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so my duty is to serve the youth of the homeland. If we work only to please the outside world, we will not satisfy ourselves. I think that we must have confidence in ourselves and in our direction, and others will be convinced after they see the results and the impact of our work,” Princess Reema said.

As for the future of Saudi women, the princess noted that there would be no need to discuss the place of women in the society, because “they are already present” in the different fields.

“The world now began to see us, but we were always present… We were behind the scenes, everywhere and in all fields,” she stated.

She also stressed that the world should not put restraints on women’s ambition to work.

“The mother at home is raising a generation, and we must treasure the generations that will represent the country in the future. We also esteem the working woman who represents her country today,” Princess Reema stated.

During a session on “Building Saudi Arabia’s Future Economy” on the sidelines of Davos meetings, the Saudi princess called for investing in the Kingdom’s human potential, describing it as “the new oil.”

She added that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “listens to his people and leads the change to meet their needs.”

“Through our work with the Ministry of Labor and Commerce and others, we created 25 new jobs for women, which did not exist before, and we changed laws to allow the establishment of women’s gymnasiums, which received immediate response from female citizens,” she told the session.

Addressing foreign investors, Princess Reema said: “Do not look at us from the angle of our oil, buildings or infrastructure; look at the human resources that need training. Human energies are the new oil and the new currency.”

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.