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.



Saudi Arabia Ranks Second Globally in Humanitarian Aid for 2025

Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025. (SP)A
Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025. (SP)A
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Saudi Arabia Ranks Second Globally in Humanitarian Aid for 2025

Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025. (SP)A
Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025. (SP)A

Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025, leading in contributions to Yemen with 49.3% of total aid and ranking second for aid to Syria, according to the United Nations Financial Tracking Service.

A recently released 2024 report on development assistance showed that the Kingdom ranks second among 16 non-member donor countries and tenth globally in aid volume among all 48 donor countries, including both members and non-members.

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah stressed that the Kingdom's leadership in humanitarian efforts reflects its commitment to generosity and prioritizing human dignity.

These figures are documented in real time on the Saudi Aid Platform, the region's largest aid platform. This approach, supported by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has been crucial in achieving these international rankings and making a tangible global impact.

Al Rabeeah said Saudi Arabia remains a constant source of generosity and a beacon of goodwill, committed under its leadership to providing assistance to those in need worldwide.


Saudi Crown Prince, Syria’s Sharaa Discuss Opportunities to Boost Bilateral Ties

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Doha on September 15, 2025. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Doha on September 15, 2025. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Syria’s Sharaa Discuss Opportunities to Boost Bilateral Ties

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Doha on September 15, 2025. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Doha on September 15, 2025. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Sunday a telephone call from Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

They reviewed relations and opportunities to boost them in various fields.

They also discussed the latest regional developments and a number of issues of mutual interest.


Al-Mahrami: Saudi Arabia Backs the Solution for Southern Yemen without Preconditions

Officials are seen at the consultative meeting on southern Yemen in Riyadh on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at the consultative meeting on southern Yemen in Riyadh on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Al-Mahrami: Saudi Arabia Backs the Solution for Southern Yemen without Preconditions

Officials are seen at the consultative meeting on southern Yemen in Riyadh on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at the consultative meeting on southern Yemen in Riyadh on Sunday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A consultative meeting on southern Yemen kicked off in Riyadh on Sunday. The meeting brings together leaderships, elders and senior figures from southern Yemen. 

In a statement, the gatherers said the meeting reflects the South’s “collective will to search for a just, secure and guaranteed solution” to the southern cause “away from escalation or attempts to create secondary conflicts that do not serve the South and its future.” 

They praised Saudi Arabia’s “clear” support for their cause as demonstrated in direct meetings with its leaders and officials, said the statement that was read by member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Abou Zaraa Al-Mahrami. 

Saudi Arabia’s positions “align completely with the just demands of the people of the South and back their right to reach a comprehensive political solution that guarantees their dignity, security, stability and future without preconditions or political demands.” 

These positions allow the people to determine their political fate and destiny, including reclaiming full sovereignty, added the statement. 

Al-Mahrami said the upcoming Saudi-sponsored intra-southern dialogue “is a rare historic opportunity that should not be squandered or undermined through sparking internal southern disputes.” 

He cautioned against antagonizing the Kingdom or creating disputes with it, saying this “serves the parties that are opposed to our cause.” 

Furthermore, he stressed that no one will be marginalized, explaining that the dialogue is based on the greatest possible partnership and representation of the South. 

“Since arriving in Riyadh, we sensed clear and sincere support for the southern cause. Our presence here played a direct role in meeting the demands of our people and forces,” he continued. 

Al-Mahrami noted the Kingdom’s keenness on supporting the Yemeni people’s daily needs, as well as the country’s economy. 

“We also received direct assurances from Saudi officials that support for the southern forces will continue,” he added. The forces are protecting the South and its security and are deployed at battlefronts. 

The support will consolidate the stability of the South and block attempts to weaken the southern front or raise doubts about its people, he went on to say. 

The statement said Saudi Arabia’s economic and development support “are the pillars for the future partnership” between the South and the Kingdom. 

“Today’s meeting will pave the way for a real strategic future based on security, stability and development,” it stressed. 

Moreover, the statement noted that Saudi Arabia had been at the forefront in protecting the South against all threats. “It is the main partner in maintaining its security and stability and backing its just cause,” it added. 

“Saudi Arabia’s stances have proven that the Kingdom has and continues to be a sincere supporter and guarantor of the South’s security and stability,” it said. 

“The real danger against the South lies in the Houthi militias and their expansionist agendas against the South and entire region,” it warned. The statement also warned against the threat of ISIS and al-Qaeda. 

“We therefore categorically reject any attempts that aim to raise doubts against the Kingdom’s role,” it said, while also dismissing campaigns against the southern military and security forces led by the Giants Brigades and National Shield forces.