The Saudi Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Passports at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, announced the successful and seamless completion of entry procedures for guests and visitors of the World Defence Exhibition 2026. The Directorate mobilized all its human and technological resources to ensure an exceptional arrival experience for participants in this major global event, by allocating modern passport control counters equipped with the latest digital systems and staffed by highly trained personnel to handle international delegations.

The General Directorate of Passports explained that this step comes within the framework of the integrated efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance the experience of visitors and exhibitors coming from around the world, and to facilitate their entry procedures to participate in the third edition of the exhibition. This high level of logistical preparedness reflects the Kingdom's commitment to providing smart and efficient government services befitting its status as a global destination for major exhibitions and conferences.

World Defence Exhibition: A global platform with a Saudi vision

The third edition of the World Defense Show 2026 will take place in Riyadh, specifically at the exhibition site in Malham, north of the city, from February 8 to 12. The exhibition is held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and is organized and supervised by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI). This event is considered one of the world's leading defense and security exhibitions, bringing together major international companies, military experts, and decision-makers to discuss the future of defense and security.

Strategic importance and its alignment with Vision 2030

The World Defence Exhibition (WDE) holds significant strategic importance as it represents a cornerstone in achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly regarding the localization of military industries. The Kingdom aims to localize more than 50% of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030. The exhibition provides an ideal environment for exchanging expertise, forging strategic partnerships between local and international companies, and showcasing the latest technologies in the field of operational interoperability.

Integration of defense and security fields

The exhibition is distinguished by its comprehensiveness, covering the five main defense domains: land, sea, air, space, and security. This edition is expected to feature a significant presence of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence in the military field, further solidifying the Kingdom's position as a pivotal hub for the defense industry in the region. The successful facilitation of entry for delegations by the General Directorate of Passports is a key factor in the success of this international event, reflecting positively on the Kingdom's organizational readiness.

In a move aimed at promoting sustainable urban development and supporting the local economy, the Jeddah Municipality signed a strategic tripartite cooperation agreement on Thursday with the Street Vendors Support, Development, and Empowerment Team at the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and the Majid Bin Abdulaziz Society for Development and Social Services. This agreement comes as part of a broader initiative underway in the Kingdom to regulate the informal sector and integrate it into the formal economy.

Details of the agreement and its parties

The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including His Excellency Mayor Saleh Al-Turki, representing the Jeddah Municipality; Her Royal Highness Princess Najoud bint Hathloul bin Abdulaziz, General Supervisor of the Street Vendor Support and Development Program, representing the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing; and Baraa Al-Abdi, Executive Director of the Majid Society. This partnership reflects the integration between the government and non-profit sectors to achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 regarding citizen empowerment and improving quality of life.

Goals that go beyond traditional organization

The objectives of this agreement are not limited to simply identifying sales locations, but extend to include a comprehensive vision for empowering street vendors through:

• Providing a safe and orderly environment: Allocating equipped sites that ensure the safety of both vendors and consumers.
• The shift towards institutional work: helping vendors develop their businesses so that they can eventually transition from street vendors to owners of stable commercial establishments, thus promoting small business entrepreneurship.
• Addressing visual distortion: Eliminating the haphazard nature of sales that negatively affects the city's aesthetics, and replacing it with civilized models that are consistent with Jeddah's urban identity.

Developmental context and economic impact

This initiative comes at a time when the Kingdom is giving considerable attention to the "quality of life" file and addressing visual pollution in major cities. Regulating the work of street vendors is a fundamental pillar in transforming the informal economy into a formal economy that contributes to the gross domestic product. Instead of pursuing vendors, modern strategies focus on integrating and training them, creating formal job opportunities for citizens and reducing unemployment rates, while simultaneously ensuring consumer protection through oversight of the goods offered.

Areas of cooperation and training

According to the terms of the agreement, work will proceed along several implementation tracks, including:

• Establishing precise regulatory controls and standards for the activity.
• Implementing intensive training programs for salespeople in the areas of public health, food safety, and marketing and sales skills, to ensure the provision of a professional service.
• Launching awareness workshops and community initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of supporting this sector.

Towards smart and sustainable cities

In keeping with technological advancements, the agreement focuses on developing innovative solutions that align with the requirements of smart cities, as well as conducting regular field studies to measure the social and economic impact of these initiatives. Specialized exhibitions and events will also be organized, allowing vendors to showcase their products in a competitive and attractive environment, thus boosting the income of productive families and ambitious young Saudis.