Saudi Arabia at 95: A Nation Rooted in Heritage, Soaring Towards the Future

Today, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrates its 95th National Day marking nearly a century since the historic unification of the Arabian Peninsula under the leadership of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud in 1932. From a desert kingdom to a global powerhouse at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, Saudi Arabia's story is one of resilience, faith, and ambition.

- BY KHALIDH RIZWAN

The unification of Saudi Arabia is one of the most remarkable nation-building stories of the 20th century. On 23 September, 1932, King Abdulaziz declared the formation of the modern Kingdom, consolidating disparate regions into a single state governed by the principles of justice, Islamic values, and national solidarity.

Under his vision, Saudi Arabia quickly became recognized as the heartland of the Islamic world, home to the two holiest cities, Makkah and Madinah — attracting millions of pilgrims each year for Hajj and Umrah. This spiritual leadership remains a cornerstone of the Kingdom's identity, shaping its domestic policies and international role.

Modern Achievements: Vision 2030 and Beyond Today, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia stands at the forefront of a bold transformation. The Vision 2030 strategy, launched in 2016, has been a game-changer, diversifying the economy beyond oil and positioning the Kingdom as a hub of innovation, tourism, and sustainability. Key achievements include:

Economic Diversification: Expansion into renewable energy, entertainment, and technology sectors. Saudi Arabia is now one of the fastest-growing economies in the G20.