Saudi Arabia Will Respond Decisively to Any Security Threat, Crown Prince Says
Delivering the annual Royal Address on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the opening of the third year of the Shura Council’s ninth session in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia will continue efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and pursue diplomatic solutions but will not hesitate to respond decisively to any threat to its security, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman said on Wednesday.
Delivering the annual Royal Address on behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the opening of the third year of the Shura Council’s ninth session in Riyadh, the Crown Prince said recent attacks targeting Gulf states had demonstrated the “indivisibility of Gulf security and stability.”
“We are exerting every possible effort to de-escalate tensions and support diplomatic solutions without the slightest compromise on preserving our security,” he said.
“We will not hesitate to respond decisively to any threat or attack aimed at undermining it.”
Makkah Defence Pact highlighted
The Crown Prince said Saudi Arabia was working with its Gulf partners to safeguard regional security, strengthen strategic cooperation and economic integration, and reinforce joint action.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Makkah Defence Pact between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, saying the agreement reflected the three countries’ joint efforts to promote security and stability in the region.
He thanked brotherly and friendly countries for supporting the Kingdom and contributing to regional security and stability.
Saudi Arabia committed to global energy security
Turning to international security challenges, Mohammed bin Salman warned that the world was facing an energy crisis with potentially far-reaching consequences.
He said Saudi Arabia had continued to safeguard global energy security by maintaining oil supplies to international markets despite escalating regional tensions.
The Crown Prince also highlighted the establishment of the Multinational Maritime Defence Alliance, saying the initiative was intended to strengthen maritime security, protect common interests in international waterways and reject the use of maritime routes as instruments of political or economic pressure.
Saudi Arabia, he said, would continue working with its partners to strengthen international cooperation, reduce tensions and ensure the safe flow of essential goods and humanitarian assistance.
Crown Prince condemns attacks on Palestinians
On Gaza, the Crown Prince strongly condemned continuing attacks against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and repeated violations of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
“We call upon the international community, and the Security Council in particular, to play its expected role in reaching a lasting political solution,” he said.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for the rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with international law.
Saudi Arabia reiterates support for Yemen, Sudan
On Yemen, Mohammed bin Salman said Saudi Arabia continued to support the Yemeni government through the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in its efforts to extend state authority, restore stability and confront attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.
He also reiterated the Kingdom’s support for Sudan’s unity and stability and the preservation of its legitimate institutions.
Vision 2030: 93% of objectives achieved
The Crown Prince also used the annual address to highlight Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation under Vision 2030, saying 93 percent of the objectives of its programs and strategies had been achieved over the past decade.
He said non-oil exports had increased by 155 percent compared with 2016, while the private sector’s contribution to the economy had risen to 51 percent.
The Public Investment Fund had also launched a five-year strategy aimed at developing competitive domestic economic ecosystems through private-sector partnerships, increasing local content and generating sustainable financial returns.
Saudi Arabia pushes ahead with AI ambitions
The Crown Prince said Saudi Arabia had made significant progress across digital and investment indicators, citing the Kingdom’s positions in digital readiness, ICT development, cybersecurity and digital government maturity indices.
He also highlighted the designation of 2026 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence, saying the Kingdom aimed to become a global leader in developing AI applications and solutions while using the technology to improve productivity, service quality and the skills of Saudi talent.
Mohammed bin Salman said reforms had strengthened the resilience of the Saudi economy and improved the ability of state institutions to respond to regional and global changes.
He also pointed to continuing reforms in education, healthcare, employment and the real estate sector, saying the government’s central objective remained the advancement and prosperity of the Kingdom and improving quality of life for its people.
