Lead:
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman inaugurated the third year of the ninth term of the Saudi Consultative Council on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz, delivering the annual royal address that outlined the kingdom's domestic and foreign policy direction. Senior officials across government ministries and regional administrations have since praised the speech, characterizing it as a comprehensive roadmap for national development and the continued implementation of Vision 2030 reforms.
Details:
The Crown Prince, serving as chairman of the Council of Ministers, presided over the opening session of the Consultative Council, where the annual royal address set the tone for legislative priorities and policy initiatives. According to reporting from Sabq, the speech addressed both internal and external challenges facing the kingdom, with particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia's role in regional peace-building and international development efforts.
Senior officials responded with unified endorsement of the royal address. Shaikh Dr. Abdullah Al Al-Shaikh, president of the Consultative Council, characterized the speech as a roadmap for achieving national aspirations, highlighting its comprehensive approach to governance. Dr. Meshal Al-Sulmi, the council's vice president, emphasized that the address articulates the kingdom's domestic and foreign policy frameworks. Additionally, Muhammad bin Dakhil Al-Mutairi, secretary general of the council, described the speech as a strategic direction for the council's legislative agenda.
Regional administrators and institutional leaders similarly expressed support. Prince Saud bin Nayef, emir of the Eastern Region, and Prince Salman bin Sultan, emir of Medina Region, both praised the address for reflecting the leadership's commitment to Vision 2030 achievements. Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, president of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), highlighted the designation of 2026 as "Year of Artificial Intelligence," characterizing it as evidence of the kingdom's commitment to global leadership in emerging technologies. Dr. Ali bin Ahmad Al-Ahaidhab, president of the Board of Grievances, underscored the role of administrative judiciary in advancing Vision 2030 implementation. Shaikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, chief of religious affairs at the Holy Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, affirmed that the address reflects the kingdom's foundational principles in serving the Two Holy Mosques.
Watch For:
Implementation timelines for the artificial intelligence designation and associated regulatory frameworks issued by SDAIA, which recently released eight regulatory principles for responsible AI use across sectors. The effectiveness of council deliberations in translating royal policy directives into legislative action during the third year of this term. Regional responses and international diplomatic initiatives that may follow from the speech's emphasis on Saudi Arabia's peace-building role in Middle Eastern affairs.