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 Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Saudi Arabia Says Hantavirus Risk to Kingdom Is ‘Very Low’

A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
A test tube labelled "Hantavirus negative" is held in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Saudi Arabia’s Public Health Authority (Weqaya) said Friday it is closely monitoring, in coordination with international health organizations, reports of hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

In a statement, the authority said the current assessment indicates a low level of risk and that the likelihood of the virus reaching Saudi Arabia is “very low,” given the effectiveness of the Kingdom’s early warning channels, epidemiological surveillance tools, food safety monitoring systems, environmental public health controls, border monitoring measures, and preventive procedures in place across the country.

The statement said hantavirus is considered a rare viral disease, but infection can be serious. The virus is typically transmitted to humans through exposure to infected rodents’ secretions, including urine, feces, or saliva, or through inhalation of contaminated particles.

The authority added that human-to-human transmission is uncommon and has been documented only in limited cases linked to a specific strain of the virus and involving prolonged close contact.

Hantavirus is usually transmitted to humans through exposure to secretions from infected rodents (Reuters)

Weqaya said the advisory comes as part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health awareness among travelers, particularly during the summer season, which sees increased travel and movement.

The authority urged the public to follow general preventive measures that help reduce the risk of infectious diseases, whether linked to hantavirus or other outbreaks.

It also advised travelers to follow official health guidance, verify preventive requirements before traveling, pay attention to food and water safety, maintain personal hygiene, avoid contact with rodents or areas where they may be present, stay away from unsafe food or unsanitary locations, and ensure appropriate health coverage during travel.

Weqaya called on the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid rumors or unverified reports, stressing that it would announce any public health developments when necessary.


Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi, Egyptian FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian FM Dr. Badr Abdelatty. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Friday with his Egyptian counterpart Dr. Badr Abdelatty.

They discussed developments in the region, underscoring their continued coordination and consultations over them.


Saudi Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Kingdom Did Not Allow Use of Its Airspace for Offensive Military Operations

Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Kingdom Did Not Allow Use of Its Airspace for Offensive Military Operations

Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Dr. Rayed Krimly during a recent meeting with a French delegation in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

A Saudi source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom has not permitted its airspace to be used in support of any offensive military operations, stressing that Riyadh is seeking de-escalation and supports Pakistan’s efforts to reach an agreement ending the war.

The source said certain parties were attempting to present a misleading picture of the Kingdom’s position for what he described as “suspicious” motives.

Meanwhile, Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Dr. Rayed Krimly reaffirmed the Kingdom’s position calling for de-escalation, avoiding further escalation, and supporting negotiations and efforts aimed at ending the war between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other.

Krimly underscored Riyadh’s consistent position in support of de-escalation and avoiding further escalation, warning in a post on X against "media reports attributed to unnamed sources - some of whom claim to be Saudi - suggesting otherwise."

For his part, Gulf Research Center Chairman Dr. Abdulaziz bin Sager said the Saudi position had been clear from the outset and centered on “avoiding escalation and resolving disputes through political dialogue.”

Bin Sager told Asharq Al-Awsat: “We recall Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which he affirmed that the Kingdom would not allow its territory or airspace to be used in any military operations.”

A senior Saudi Foreign Ministry official had previously told Asharq Al-Awsat on March 24 that the Kingdom had already denied allegations claiming the Saudi leadership preferred prolonging the ongoing war between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other.

The official added that Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan had previously stated, during a press conference following a ministerial meeting of Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh, that Iranian attacks must stop, that the Kingdom’s patience has limits, and that Riyadh reserves the right to respond and deter aggression through political and other measures.

According to bin Sager, Saudi Arabia’s key demands include “halting Iranian attacks, securing guarantees to end the war, preventing Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Gulf and other Arab states, as well as ensuring maritime and energy security.”

He added: “The Kingdom is seeking to lower tensions and create space for negotiations, and believes that any escalation could obstruct talks and affect the Strait of Hormuz.”

Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, said Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors for international trade and global energy security.

Al-Wasel made the remarks during a joint press conference in New York between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United States regarding a draft resolution on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Saudi diplomat said any threat to freedom of navigation in the strait would directly affect the stability of global markets and international supply chains. He also warned of the humanitarian and economic repercussions of disruptions to the flow of essential goods, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid.

Al-Wasel stressed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring the safe and uninterrupted flow of international trade in accordance with international law.

He called for coordinated international action to de-escalate tensions and prevent the crisis from worsening in a way that would preserve regional and international security and stability.

The Saudi diplomat also emphasized the importance of strengthening international cooperation to protect vital maritime corridors and maintain international peace and security.