Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
Prof. Dr. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Dawood
Your Excellency, Mr. President
Celebrating the anniversary of our glorious National Day, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represents an annual occasion to review the achievements and works the Kingdom has accomplished during the year. It is an event that goes beyond recalling the history of the establishment and unification of this blessed country to pride and honor in the new gains achieved between the previous and subsequent National Day anniversaries. With the anniversary of National Day each year, there are many achievements and additions that elevate our country towards promising future horizons..
This year's National Day, falling on the 13th of Muharram 1440 AH, corresponding to September 23, 2018 CE, marks the 88th anniversary of the unification of this great entity, representing the largest unity witnessed in the modern Arab world. While the Arab region suffered at the hands of Western colonial powers, the brilliant leader, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman – may God have mercy on him – along with his men, fought and struggled to unify the largest parts of the Arabian Peninsula. This culminated in the establishment of this blessed nation, stretching from the Arabian Gulf to the Red Sea, and from Yemen to the Levant. It embraces the two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, and encompasses vast regions united under a single rule. It has integrated into a civil society that has embraced the means of modernization and development, human development, interaction with civilizational developments, and the building and strengthening of relations with countries around the world..
Each year, the Kingdom witnesses a package of important programs, projects, and decisions. This year saw the approval of the largest spending budget in the Kingdom's history, amounting to 978 billion riyals. This budget aimed to enhance the development and progress toward achieving the goals of "Vision 2030," increase national economic growth, diversify the economic base and sources of income, and enhance the ability to adapt to developments and overcome challenges..
The Kingdom has also launched the "Citizen's Account" program, a program that ensures the efficiency of government support for the most deserving citizens. This will help keep pace with the economic reforms implemented by the Kingdom to diversify income sources, reduce reliance on oil, and transition to a productive economy. In the same context, the government has launched a private sector stimulus plan worth SAR 200 billion over the next four years, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of several segments of the national economy and develop its products, in addition to improving the business and investment environment, boosting the private sector's confidence in the economy, strengthening its developmental role, opening up great prospects for the private sector, and providing job opportunities for the nation's youth..
This year, the Kingdom also announced the establishment of an independent Ministry of Culture, as part of doubling the focus on cultural and heritage aspects in the Kingdom, as well as arts and intellectual and social heritage. This includes supporting libraries and literary clubs, encouraging intellectuals and writers, and revitalizing the cultural movement, publishing, and knowledge dissemination. This year also witnessed the establishment of a Royal Commission for the Development of Makkah Al-Mukaramah and the Holy Sites, aiming to enhance the development of Umm Al-Qura and the Holy Sites. It will work on implementing new construction projects and developing the system of services for pilgrims and visitors by increasing the capacity of all locations, starting from the Grand Mosque in Makkah, and passing through roads and streets. It will also support and encourage private projects to improve the housing for visitors and pilgrims, and bolster entertainment projects by establishing public parks for residents..
In the context of environmental concern, a Royal Order was issued to establish the Royal Reserves Council, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense. These Royal Reserves aim to preserve the Kingdom's environmental wealth, enrich biodiversity, and foster a balanced relationship between present life and future needs within an integrated healthy environment..
In a symbolic move highlighting the centrality of the NEOM project, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman – may God protect him – visited the project site on the northwestern coast of the Kingdom and spent several days there, holding a session of the Council of Ministers, to emphasize that this city will be the ideal destination for living and tourism in an environment blending geographical and climatic natural elements, and considering it one of the mega-projects being built entirely on smart technology foundations..
This year, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz - may God protect him - launched the Qiddiya project, which is the largest integrated entertainment project of its kind in the world. It is located 40 km from Riyadh and aims to develop the tourism and entertainment sector in the Kingdom, targeting an annual economic value of approximately 17 billion riyals for the Saudi economy..
This year also saw the actual implementation of the decision allowing women to drive, a step that reflects positive social changes in Saudi society, in addition to the decision to allow cinemas to open under regulations that respect societal values, and the holding of entertainment events aimed at encouraging the tourism sector..
In the framework of strengthening the application of systems and laws in Saudi society, and increasing awareness of vehicle and road safety, the Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Department of Traffic, has enhanced traffic enforcement and reduced car accidents. This includes implementing mobile automated monitoring for many violations, such as using a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and crossing the yellow line. These steps reflect the state's commitment to translating the level of development and civilization the Kingdom has reached..
The achievements of the Kingdom between the celebration of the 87th and 88th National Day represent an extension of the positive accomplishments and changes the Kingdom is witnessing under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, may God protect them both. They are leading the largest development project, Vision 2030, which is an extension of the development march that has characterized the Kingdom since its founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman – may God have mercy on him – through his sons, the kings who succeeded him in leading the state and advancing it towards the shores of development, peace, and progress. This glorious era brings with it the harbingers of launching a qualitative strategic development vision that holds a bright future for the Kingdom and its people. Citizens have felt, during this stage of the National Transformation Program, the efficiency of the active government, represented by combating corruption, enhancing transparency and accountability, encouraging a culture of performance, and working to create the necessary environment for citizens, the business sector, and the non-profit sector to assume their responsibilities and take the initiative in facing challenges and seizing opportunities..
On the occasion of the 88th National Day, on which we remember the epic of unification and the battle of construction and development, I extend my warmest congratulations and blessings to the leader of the march, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, may God protect them. I also extend my congratulations to His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Al-Qassim region, and to His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Faisal bin Turki bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Al-Qassim region, may God protect them, and to all the noble Saudi people, asking God to bestow upon our country continued blessings of security, safety, development, and prosperity. God is the Giver of success.
