2015 - The accession of King Salman

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabia in which my two daughters are growing up today is a very different country to the one in which they were born. 

On Jan. 23, 2015, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia began a momentous new chapter in its history with the accession to the throne of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. 

At the time, my daughter Nahed was just two-and-a-half years old, and not overly concerned with grand affairs of state; Salma, her 11-month-old sister, even less so. 

Now, ages 12 and 10, ambitious and daring, they are growing up in a Saudi Arabia in which all doors are open to them, secure in the knowledge that only hard work and ambition stands between them and the realization of all their dreams. 

Of life in the Kingdom in which their mother grew up, they know only what their elders tell them. And that, for me, as a mother and a Saudi woman empowered by the sweeping transformation of the Kingdom that has been achieved in just 10 short years, will perhaps prove to be King Salman’s greatest legacy. 

For all Saudis, the passing of a king is a moment of great sadness, and so it was on Jan. 23, 2015, with the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who had reigned since 2005 and was a much beloved ruler who cared deeply for his people. 

As always, however, the blow of the loss of a monarch was tempered by the passing of the torch to his successor, a comforting moment of continuity and hope for a people united by a tradition of leadership which, for the best part of a century, has always been steadfastly loyal and caring toward its citizens. 

Born on Dec. 31, 1935, in Riyadh, the man who would become King Salman was the 25th son of King Abdulaziz, the unifier of modern Saudi Arabia. Educated at the prestigious Princes’ School, he was immersed in the values of leadership and public service from an early age, and his career in governance began in 1954 when, at the age of just 19, he was appointed deputy governor of Riyadh Province. 

A year later, he assumed the position of governor, a role in which he would serve two terms, from 1955 to 1960, and from 1963 to 2011.

During more than five decades as governor of Riyadh, the future king transformed the capital from a modest city of 200,000 inhabitants into a thriving metropolis, home to more than 7 million people; a symbol of its progress and a testament to his ability to inspire change and growth. 

Today, as I drive through the bustling streets of the capital, I am reminded of the profound changes that began under his governance, changes that laid the foundations for the ongoing modernization of the entire Kingdom. 

King Salman’s path to the throne was paved with a series of pivotal roles that showcased his leadership skills. In 2011, he was appointed minister of defense, in which position he spearheaded the modernization of the Saudi military and bolstered national security. 

His appointment as crown prince in 2012, following the passing of Crown Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz, was recognition of his decades of public service and unwavering commitment to the Kingdom. 

The coronation of King Salman in 2015 as the seventh monarch of Saudi Arabia was greeted with optimism, as he pledged to uphold the legacy of his predecessors while steering the nation toward a future defined by innovation, inclusivity and global engagement. 

His reign has been marked by bold, forward-thinking initiatives that have reshaped the trajectory of the Kingdom. He is the sixth son of the nation’s founder to occupy the throne, but also the first Saudi monarch to pass the torch to a new generation. 

On June 21, 2017, King Salman appointed his son, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as crown prince, in the process not only ensuring a stable line of succession but also paving the way for a dramatic transformation of the Kingdom. 

On April 25, 2016, while he was still deputy crown prince, Prince Mohammed, in his role as chairperson of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, had unveiled Vision 2030, describing it as “an ambitious yet achievable blueprint, which expresses our long-term goals and expectations and reflects our country’s strengths and capabilities.” 

The aim, he said, was to build “a better country, fulfilling our dream of prosperity and unlocking the talent, potential and dedication of our young men and women.” 

Vision 2030, the foundation upon which many of the Kingdom’s great transformative projects are now being built, was endorsed by the Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of King Salman. 

This blueprint set out not only to diversify the national economy, thereby reducing the dependence on oil and fostering sustainable development, but also to transform the Kingdom socially. 

Over the past decade we have seen a series of momentous social and economic reforms under King Salman, in many cases driven through by his son, the crown prince, with his father’s blessing. 

Women have been granted the right to drive, travel and establish businesses independently; a long-standing ban on cinemas has been lifted; several economic reforms and megaprojects designed to diversify the national economy have been launched; and Saudi Arabia has been opened up to the world, both for global investment and as an international destination for tourism, sport and culture. 

Beyond his domestic achievements, King Salman’s humanitarian efforts have had a profound global impact. As chairperson of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, established in 2015, he has overseen more than 3,300 projects in 105 countries that have provided critical aid to millions in need. 

These efforts have not only cemented the Kingdom’s role as a global humanitarian leader but also serve as a reflection of the king’s deeply held belief in the importance of compassion and solidarity. 

As he enters the second decade of his reign, King Salman’s legacy — one of visionary leadership, transformative change and unwavering dedication to his people — is already secure. 

His reign has been defined by a commitment to progress, inclusivity and innovation, setting the stage for a brighter future for Saudi Arabia and its people. As the Kingdom continues to navigate the complexities of the 21st century under his leadership, his example serves as a guiding light, inspiring future generations to build on the foundations he has laid. 

As for my daughters, blessed by the empowerment of women that is one of the pillars of Vision 2030, they now understand that it is thanks to King Salman and his son, the crown prince, that they are growing up in a “new” Saudi Arabia, one in which women are fulfilling their potential as business executives and owners, board members, ambassadors and even government ministers. 

They know, as King Salman knew, that in years gone by Saudi women never lacked talent, they merely lacked opportunity. 

• Noor Nugali is deputy editor-in-chief of Arab News.