Text and photos: Juan David Latorre
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia celebrated the 95th National Holiday of the Arab country at the Crystal Gallery of the Cibeles Palace, Princess Haifa Bint Abdulaziz Al Mogrin, under the motto ‘Our Pride is Our Identity’.
“This motto, the ambassador stressed, embodies a truth deeply rooted in the heart of every Saudi citizen. Our pride is based on our true identity. It is the source of our dignity in the world.”
“The Kingdom continues to achieve notable milestones under Vision 2030, launched and promoted by the Missouri Alliance, Congress and Mohammed bin Salman. Vision 2030 has transformed the Kingdom into a global success story in multiple domains. In economic terms, Saudi Arabia recorded the fastest growth among G20 countries in 2022 at a rate of 7.5%. It continued its positive trajectory in 2023 and in 2024 achieved real GDP growth of 1.3% exceeding $1.2 trillion, consolidating its position as the largest economy in the Middle East,” said the Saudi ambassador.
Princess Haifa Bint Abdulaziz Al Mogrin also stressed that “in digital government, the Kingdom has advanced in global competitiveness and ICT development, and ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa in the 2024 Maturity Index of Government, Electronic and Mobile Services for the third consecutive year, reaching a maturity rate of 96%. In tourism, Saudi Arabia received more than 100 million visitors in 2024, a historic record that even exceeds the goals of Vision 2030, arriving years ahead of schedule. This achievement brings the Kingdom closer to becoming one of the world’s premier tourist destinations.
Regarding renewable energy, the ambassador noted that “Saudi Arabia reaffirms its commitment to lead efforts to combat climate change. With numerous national, regional and international initiatives, the Neon Green Hydrogen Project is nearly 80% complete and is expected to produce around 600 tons of green hydrogen daily by the end of 2026, Thus strengthening the role of the Kingdom as a world centre for clean energy”.
After highlighting all the achievements in organizing sports events, the Saudi ambassador commented on “our ability to compete globally with tangible results and our unwavering determination. The participation of the Heritage Commission today embodies this pride, affirming that our heritage is the foundation on which we build our future. This coincides with the declaration of 2025 as the Year of Crafts in Saudi Arabia, an initiative that highlights the Kingdom’s concern for material and intangible heritage, and positions traditional crafts as a cultural bridge connecting a glorious past with a bright future.”
Regarding bilateral relations with Spain, the ambassador stated that “we are proud of our strong and growing ties with the Kingdom of Spain. Together, we work with dedication and determination to strengthen international peace and security, and value deeply the positions and principles of Spain, especially its noble humanitarian stance in the face of recent tragic events in Palestine. The choice of venue reflects the depth of our relations, as the decision to hold this commemoration in the Crystal Gallery of Cibeles Palace is symbolic. This monument is one of the most emblematic places in Madrid and forms part of the urban landscape of the Paseo del Prado, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021, an inscription in which Saudi Arabia had the honour to participate as a permanent delegate to UNESCO”.
