Saudi Arabia is cementing its position as a rising economic power in Davos

In a prominent appearance at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Saudi Arabia strongly showcased the opportunities of its new economy, emphasizing its pivotal role as an active international partner in shaping the future of the global economy. The high-level Saudi delegation, which included several ministers, highlighted the profound transformations underway in the Kingdom under Vision 2030, focusing on attracting investment in vital sectors such as artificial intelligence, tourism, and industry.

Historical background: From participant to active partner

The World Economic Forum in Davos is the world’s premier platform that brings together world leaders, major corporations, and thought leaders to discuss global challenges and opportunities. The Kingdom’s participation this year is the culmination of years of strategic planning and economic transformation. While its previous participations focused heavily on its role in stabilizing energy markets, the Kingdom is now presenting itself as a global hub for innovation and investment in non-oil sectors—a fundamental shift reflecting the ambitions of Vision 2030 to diversify the economy and build a sustainable future.

Key pillars of the new economy: trade, tourism, and technology

During its various sessions, the Saudi delegation highlighted the Kingdom's competitive advantages. His Excellency the Minister of Commerce, Mr. Majid Al-Qasabi, explained that the Kingdom's strategic location and vast resources qualify it to be a global economic bridge and a pivotal logistical hub connecting continents, especially as global trade moves towards a more managed and regulated model.

In the tourism sector, His Excellency the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Ahmed Al-Khatib, affirmed that the sector is witnessing unprecedented growth opportunities. With the United Nations Tourism Organization's projections of reaching two billion international tourists by 2030, the Saudi market stands out as one of the most attractive destinations for global investors in the hospitality, entertainment, and related technology sectors.

Artificial intelligence and economic stability: an attractive environment for innovation

The Kingdom affirmed its commitment to adopting future technologies, with His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah Al-Swaha, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships in the age of artificial intelligence. He noted that the Kingdom's ability to address energy and computing power challenges makes it a reliable partner and an ideal location for developing and implementing AI technologies. This commitment was further demonstrated by the launch of the "Saudi-American Innovation Partnership" on the sidelines of the forum, which aims to accelerate cooperation in vital fields such as life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

To support these ambitions, His Excellency the Minister of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Al-Jadaan, pointed out that the government’s role is to provide a stable and predictable economic environment, stressing that the Kingdom is constantly working to enhance the resilience of its economy and build bridges of trust with the local and international private sector.

Expected impact: To enhance local growth and regional role

The initiatives and partnerships announced in Davos have broad positive implications. Domestically, these investments are expected to contribute to creating high-quality jobs for Saudi youth, transferring knowledge and technology, and accelerating economic diversification. Regionally, these steps solidify the Kingdom's position as a leader in economic transformation in the Middle East. Internationally, the Kingdom is emerging as a key player that cannot be ignored in global value chains, whether in the field of strategic minerals, as His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar Al-Khorayef, explained, or in shaping future economic partnerships.

Standard response from the Saudi emergency system

The National Security Operations Center (911) announced a remarkable record in the volume of incoming reports, receiving 84,866 calls via the unified emergency number in just one day, on Thursday, January 22, 2026. This statistic included four main regions: Riyadh, Makkah, the Eastern Province, and Madinah, reflecting the operational pressure and high efficiency with which the center operates around the clock to serve citizens, residents, and visitors.

Call distribution and key metrics

According to data released by the center, the Riyadh region topped the list with the highest number of calls, at 35,352, followed by the Makkah region with 26,247 calls, then the Eastern Province with 16,200 calls, and finally the Madinah region with 7,067 calls. The center noted that the average number of incoming calls was approximately 58 per minute, a strong indicator of growing confidence in the security system and its ability to respond quickly and effectively to various types of reports.

Project background and strategic objectives

The Unified Security Operations Center (911) project is one of the most important initiatives launched by the Saudi Ministry of Interior as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The project aims to unify the various emergency numbers (such as police, traffic, civil defense, and the Red Crescent) into a single, easy-to-remember and use number, thereby reducing response times and improving the quality of security and humanitarian services. The 911 centers are equipped with the latest global technologies to ensure immediate coordination between different security and service agencies and to direct resources to incident sites with exceptional accuracy and speed.

Local significance and impact on quality of life

The center's importance lies in its pivotal role in strengthening the Kingdom's security and public safety system. By receiving and efficiently processing security and service-related reports, the center contributes to preserving lives and property. Furthermore, the presence of qualified personnel fluent in multiple languages ​​ensures service delivery to all segments of society, including visitors, pilgrims, and Umrah performers from around the world. This integrated service positively impacts quality of life indicators and enhances the sense of security among the Kingdom's residents and visitors.

A leading position at both the regional and international levels

The impact of this project extends beyond the local level, placing the Kingdom among the world's leading nations in emergency and crisis management. The ability to efficiently handle such a massive volume of calls, particularly in vital areas like Mecca and Medina, which experience immense population density during Hajj and Umrah seasons, highlights the Kingdom's organizational and technological capabilities. This model serves as an inspiration for many countries in the region seeking to develop their security and service systems.

The National Security Operations Center 911 affirms its commitment to handling all reports with complete confidentiality, and encourages everyone to report any emergency without hesitation, while ensuring that the report is transferred to the competent authority and followed up until the situation is resolved, within the framework of an integrated work system aimed at achieving the highest levels of security and safety for the community.