RIYADH: Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has defended the pace of the Kingdom’s economic transformation under Vision 2030, challenging critics and observers to identify another country that has changed its economic direction at a comparable speed.
In remarks to energy-sector leaders, the minister said: “Look into history books… see if you can find any country that was able to transform under this transformation in such a short time. There is none.”
The comments reflect Riyadh’s emphasis on the scale and speed of its reform programme, which seeks to broaden the economy beyond its traditional dependence on crude oil. Vision 2030 includes efforts to expand investment, tourism, industry, renewable energy and other sectors.
Prince Abdulaziz said the Kingdom’s long-term decisions were being made with future generations in mind, referring to the responsibility to secure prosperity for “our sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters.”
Saudi Arabia has announced initiatives spanning renewable power and green hydrogen alongside wider industrial and economic diversification. The impact of these programmes will depend on investment, implementation, global energy markets and the ability of new sectors to create sustainable economic activity.
The minister also described Saudi citizens as “fearless, competent, and determined,” saying the country would continue pursuing its long-term industrial ambitions despite near-term uncertainty.
Editor’s note: The remarks and quotations in this report should be checked against the original event recording before publication. This report reflects the minister’s stated position; the claim that the transformation has “no match in history” is an attributed assessment, not an independently established historical conclusion.
