Saudi Crown Prince Launches Human Capability Development Program

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Human Capability Development Program Committee. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Human Capability Development Program Committee. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Launches Human Capability Development Program

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Human Capability Development Program Committee. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Human Capability Development Program Committee. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Human Capability Development Program Committee, launched on Wednesday the Human Capability Development Program (HCDP), one of the realization programs to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The program represents a national strategy to strengthen citizen’s capabilities locally and globally by seizing promising opportunities resulting from accelerated and renewed changes around the world.

“The Human Capability Development Program represents a national strategy to enhance the competitiveness of national human capabilities locally and globally to be ready for the current and future labor market with capabilities and ambitions that compete with the world, and that is through: instilling and promoting values, developing basic and future skills, and developing knowledge,” said Crown Prince Mohammed.

“Because of my confidence in every citizen’s capabilities, this program has been developed to meet the needs and aspirations of all segments of society, beginning from childhood passing through universities, colleges, technical and vocational institutes, and reaching the labor market, with the goal of preparing citizens for the future, as this contributes to building a solid economy based on skills and knowledge and with human capital at its core,” he added.

“The program includes 89 initiatives aimed at achieving 16 strategic objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The program’s strategy is built on three pillars: develop a resilient and strong educational base, prepare for the future labor market locally and globally, and provide lifelong learning opportunities.”

The program’s initiatives include promoting the expansion of kindergartens, which will help develop a resilient and strong educational foundation for all children. The career guidance and counseling initiative will provide citizens with the capabilities and skills necessary to plan their career objectives. It also includes a number of initiatives that target upskilling and reskilling citizens to increase employability rate and enable entrepreneurs and innovators for the future labor market locally and globally.

The Human Capability Development Program focuses on preparing national human capabilities, developing an ecosystem from early childhood education to lifelong learning, aligning educational outcomes with the needs of the labor market, and localizing high-skilled jobs through the reskilling and training of citizens. In addition, it will develop a more active partnership with the private and non-profit sectors. The program aims to achieve several goals, including increasing kindergarten enrollment from 23% to 90% and placing two Saudi universities among the top 100 universities in the world by 2030, thereby strengthening the Kingdom’s global ranking.

The HCDP’s strategy reflects the drive of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to prepare Saudi citizens through various strategic pillars. These include developing a passion for knowledge and pride in values, a commitment to succeed in work and entrepreneurship, and to compete locally and globally. It will constantly develop skills and unleash capabilities.

Through its initiatives, the program will enhance the skills necessary to compete in the 21st century. These will include creative thinking, data analysis and technical skills. It will also enhance emotional and social skills. The program seeks to enhance national capabilities competitiveness to grasp the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The HCDP initiatives will provide vast opportunities that will pave the way for future globally competitive generations. It will also instill the values of moderation and tolerance, determination and perseverance, discipline and mastery, and it will boost work culture, which will lead to a global citizenship and enhance national human capabilities global competitiveness.



Diplomacy Intensifies to Contain Escalation as Gulf Continues to Confront Iranian Attacks

A view of Kuwait City. (KUNA)
A view of Kuwait City. (KUNA)
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Diplomacy Intensifies to Contain Escalation as Gulf Continues to Confront Iranian Attacks

A view of Kuwait City. (KUNA)
A view of Kuwait City. (KUNA)

Diplomacy intensified on Monday as Iran continued its rocket and drone attacks against the Gulf.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks with his Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow on developments in the region and efforts exerted towards them.

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani received telephone calls from his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Egypt and Türkiye, while the foreign minister of Kuwait received a telephone call from his British counterpart for talks on the regional escalation.

Sheikh Mohammed discussed during his telephone calls the regional escalation and its impact on regional and global security. The officials also tackled means to peacefully resolve all disputes.

They stressed the need to bolster coordination and intensify joint efforts to reach an immediate ceasefire and end the escalation. They urged a return to dialogue and for wisdom to prevail to contain the crisis to ensure the security of global energy supplies, marine navigation and the safety of the region.

Gulf defenses, meanwhile, continued to counter attacks from Iran amid warnings of their impact on regional and international security.

Saudi defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles in Riyadh and destroyed 13 drones in the Northern and Eastern Regions.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense said its defenses confronted hostile Iranian rocket and drone attacks.

Bahrain's defenses shot down two rockets and 36 drones fired by Iran on Monday.

Bahrain has downed 147 rockets and 282 drones since Iran started its attacks.

The UAE intercepted seven ballistic missiles and 16 drones fired by Iran on Monday.

The country has so far shot down 352 ballistic missiles, 15 rockets and 1,789 drones since the beginning of the conflict.

Oman’s top diplomat said on Monday his country, which has long mediated between the US and Iran, is working to secure safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. He did not elaborate.

Foreign Minister Bad Albusaidi also wrote in a social media post that Iran is not to be blamed for the war.

“Whatever your view of Iran, this war is not of their making. This is already causing widespread economic problems,” he wrote.


Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Thai Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Thai Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah - File Photo/SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Sihasak Phuangketkeow, according to SPA.

During the call, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the region and ongoing international efforts in this regard.


Saudi King, Crown Prince Congratulate President of Pakistan on National Day

 File Photo of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud- SPA
File Photo of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud- SPA
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Saudi King, Crown Prince Congratulate President of Pakistan on National Day

 File Photo of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud- SPA
File Photo of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud- SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a cable of congratulations to President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari on his country's National Day.

King Salman wished the president continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Pakistan steady progress and prosperity.

For his part, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has also sent a cable of congratulations to President Zardari, and wished him continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Pakistan steady progress and prosperity.