Saudi Arabia: A rich past with a promising future

Saudi Arabia: A rich past with a promising future

Saudi Arabia — an Arab and regional power with considerable economic and political weight — comprises a wide geographical area, covering about 80% of the Arabian Peninsula.

To put this into perspective, Saudi Arabia’s size is equivalent to one-third of the area of the United States.

Located at the junction of key global trade routes and positioned between three continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa, Saudi Arabia has a rich history and is home to some of the oldest human civilisations.

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A photograph shows the Elephant rock, a rock formation in the desert, near the Saudi town of AlUla, on January 29, 2023.

Among them are the civilisations of Thamud, who lived in Mada'in Salih, and of Midian, located in the northwest of Saudi Arabia. Their history goes back to the era before Prophet Issa, known as Jesus Christ to Christians.

Additionally, it was the homeland of the oldest Arab kingdoms in the 2nd century BC, such as Tasm, Jadees, the Kingdom of Dilmun, and the Kingdom of Kindah, to the south of the current capital, Riyadh.

Birthplace of Islam

Saudi Arabia is also the cradle of Arab civilisation and the birthplace of Islam.

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Muslims perform Umrah around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, 27 January 2023.

This position has placed significant political burdens and responsibilities on the Kingdom. The stability of neighbouring Gulf and Arab countries is intrinsically linked the stability of Saudi Arabia.

To this end, the Kingdom has diligently worked to bridge existing gaps in the Arab and Islamic worlds. It has also coordinated joint Arab action, which helped to build the foundations of stability in those countries.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most prominent countries in the Arabian Gulf region due to its diverse set of strengths such as its historical and strategic importance, its human and material resources, its military and climatic and topographic diversity.

Interestingly enough, it is the only Arab country that has never been occupied by colonial powers, which kept the Arabic language pure and free from foreign linguistic influences, both in standard Arabic and spoken dialects.

Since its unification as a kingdom in 1932, Saudi Arabia's policy has been characterised by moderation, clarity, and independence of decision. It has never yielded to any party, being a sovereign state that acts based on its national interests without impairing the interests of others.

Quiet diplomacy

Islam, which is the official religion of the state and constitution, has significantly influenced its political activities and foreign relations. This can be seen in the stable nature of its relations with others, as the Kingdom expresses its positions calmly.

Saudi leaders opt to resolve differences through quiet dialogue and diplomatic means, adopting a policy of non-alignment, and establishing cooperative relations with all countries, with a realism that avoids slogans and political radicalism which are harmful to the security and stability of the Arab world.

Saudi leaders opt to resolve differences through quiet dialogue and diplomatic means, adopting a policy of non-alignment, and establishing cooperative relations with all countries, with a realism that avoids slogans and political radicalism which are harmful to the security and stability of the Arab world. 

Saudi Arabia supports the interests of the Arab and Islamic peoples and avoids interference in their countries' internal affairs. But it does play an active role within the framework of regional and international organisations. 

The Kingdom's religious approach stems from its acknowledgement of its regional and international importance. It is keen to cultivate great relations with all countries, which helps shield the country from external provocations, making it among the most secure and stable countries in the world.

Radical transformation

When King Salman bin Abdul Aziz ascended to the throne, and with the rise of the second generation, represented by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to power, there were radical transformations and changes that led to a strategic shift in Saudi Arabia's perception of its status and strategic and geopolitical weight. 

Consequently, it adopted a soft power approach, which enabled it to deal with regional and international powers on a peer-to-peer basis, especially regarding its internal regulations and societal laws, oil policies, and right to defend itself and the Arab neighbourhood against Iranian provocations.

Economic partnerships

On the economic level, the Saudi leadership has invested in its geostrategic location for decades by forming long-term trade and economic partnerships to promote its economic strength. 

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Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Mohammed Bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan and Raci Kaya, a delegate from Turkey, attend a session during the G20 Summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 16, 2022.

Joining the G20 in 2008 came with international recognition of its status as a global economic power with a significant impact on the worldwide economy. It is the only Arab country in the international grouping of the 20 major economies of the world.

Joining the G20 in 2008 came with international recognition of its status as a global economic power with a significant impact on the worldwide economy. It is the only Arab country in the international grouping of the 20 major economies of the world.

Today, being one of the 20 most powerful economies in the world, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia seeks to achieve a more advanced position by 2030, which has become a symbol of an integrated vision that links the economy, the concept of religious moderation, the preservation of the environment, as well as international relations and foreign policy. 

The 2030 Vision for the Kingdom not only hinges upon its economic power but also on its geographical location and political, civilisational, and religious status.

The Kingdom's regional and international role is buoyed by its participation in security and political alliances aimed at combating terrorism, peacefully settling disputes between Arab and Islamic countries, helping vulnerable people in developing countries, providing urgent humanitarian aid to countries affected by natural disasters and wars, and finally, defending the just causes of Arabs and Muslims.

Within the scope of its responsibility to serve Islam, the Kingdom has sought to consolidate coexistence between the Muslim world and the non-Muslim world and reintroduced the concept of true Islam.

Saudi Arabia is spearheading seminars and conferences around the world to cleanse Islam from false and toxic ideologies advocated by extremist groups claiming to represent the religion.

To this end, the Kingdom is playing an active and leading role, shedding light on true Islamic beliefs and practices and presenting them as an alternative to extremist ideologies that have emerged out of the Islamic world.

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