Without a doubt, 2020 been far from smooth sailing for anyone, an unprecedented year that has seen countries across the globe grapple with placing the safety of their citizens first while also trying to protect their economy from stagnating. But although faced by many of the same obstacles and challenges as other nations, Saudi Arabia has made some impressive accomplishments in 2020, guided by its unwavering commitment to reach its Vision 2030 objectives. We’re taking a look at five milestones that were achieved by the Kingdom this year:
1. COMMENDABLE COVID-19 RESPONSE
Under the #G20 presidency, Saudi Arabia is supporting international efforts in generating a COVID-19 vaccine and insuring it is provided to the largest possible number of affected people.https://t.co/T46riu0XSb
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) July 22, 2020
Saudi Arabia’s response to curbing the spread of COVID-19 has been nothing short of notable, particularly for its use of modern tech and continued access to e-government services, so much so that the Kingdom was even commended by the World Bank for its technological agility during lockdown. In fact, the Kingdom was ranked amongst the top 3 for its innovative use of technology in battling the pandemic, such as its utilization of tracking software and its smartphone social distancing app, Tabaud.
Saudi Arabia is devoted to maintaining its COVID-19 precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on public health, the economy, and communities.https://t.co/yfZ88e6hRu
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) September 8, 2020
Aside from its use of tech in battling the ongoing pandemic, Saudi Arabia has also excelled when it comes to finding solid solutions, such as becoming one of the first participating countries taking part in COVAX, a global research alliance for COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, scientists at Saudi Arabia’s renowned King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) gave the world this year the most up-to-date models of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind the pandemic, which is crucial in better understanding the virus and for developing COVID-19 treatments.
2. NOTABLE G20 PRESIDENCY
Saudi Arabia’s G20 Presidency Captures Worldwide Attention: https://t.co/1zyjYvO9Mv pic.twitter.com/MTjyI1w4K1
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) June 8, 2020
This year, Saudi Arabia embarked on a milestone journey as it assumed the G20 (Group of 20) Presidency, and just a few months into its term: the Kingdom was ranked third amongst G20 countries with regards to reducing carbon emissions from fuel consumption; it ranked number one for digital competitiveness within the G20; it held a series of summit meetings and laying down main priorities, a key one being the Women Empowerment Initiative; and, under its presidency this year, culture was put on this year’s G20 agenda, marking the first time G20 policy discussions acknowledged the growing contribution of culture in forging more sustainable societies and economies across the globe.
With inspirational women like @Salma_AlRashid and Dr. @ThorayaObaid in charge, the Saudi Arabian @W20org presidency has initiated work on a @G20org
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) November 25, 2020
gender policy tracker –among other important things.
CC: @Salma_alrashidhttps://t.co/tLAFWa1EFN
In addition, Saudi Space Commission (SCC), chaired by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman, who is the world’s first Arab and Muslim into space, hosted the first meeting of space agency leaders from G20 (Group of 20) countries, marking a milestone moment for the Kingdom and the region.
3. PRIORITIZING WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Dr. @HananAlAhmadi Becomes The First Saudi Female Shura Council To Chair A Session: https://t.co/Vs8S5elhwv pic.twitter.com/RuALY46TgE
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) December 3, 2020
The empowerment of women and the improvement of their rights have been high on the Kingdom’s agenda in recent years, and 2020 was no exception. Amongst the achievements made by Saudi Arabia this was the pledge by its consultative Shoura Council to protect women’s rights to their inheritance and proposing criminalizing the deprivation of women of their rightful inheritance, by putting in measures such as jail and fine penalties against offenders.
Remarkable women are bettering life in Saudi Arabia through their essential roles in the Shura Council, including @HananAlAhmadi, @Mody_A_AlKhalaf, and @LatifahAshaalan.https://t.co/3tKXecfjad
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) September 30, 2020
Women have also been at the forefront of championing their rights as the Kingdom continued pushing this year to integrate women in all levels of its legal sector. For instance, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice revealed earlier this year that almost half of the applicants for its newly announced conciliator positions at the Reconciliation Center were women.
The revolutionary Wusool has provided over 60,000 women with a safe and secure daily commute to work, providing the necessary support to get more Saudi women to join the workforce.https://t.co/uVON8RU9hE
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) March 15, 2020
Finally, as part of improving women’s rights, Saudi Arabia has also been making transportation affordable to women in the private sector, a key move in supporting their increased mobility and access to work. This has been achieved primarily through WUSOOL, a subsidy program by the Saudi Human Resources Fund (HADAF), which aims to help reduce transportation costs. The program was extended from 12 months to 24 months, and now covers costs for those choosing ride-hailing services.
4. CHAMPIONING WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
In line with its key Vision 2030 objectives, Saudi Arabia has been pushing to diversify its economy, moving away from its overreliance on oil exports. From tourism to the sporting sector, the Kingdom has also been empowering women by providing them with job opportunities and encouraging them to take on leadership roles.
Meet Johara Al-Sudairi, the Saudi female football player scoring all her dream goals: https://t.co/JwbASIG301 pic.twitter.com/SAgorMvz8n
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) May 5, 2020
Today, the Kingdom is witnessing an unprecedented increase in female athletes, licensed lawyers, women in water sports and the diving sector, female tour guides, doping control officers, and even female officers into the nation’s armed forces. In addition, this year saw the launch of the Future Women's Civil Association in Saudi Arabia, which aims to nurture and support the work of women, and the makeup of G20 Saudi Secretariat employees under Saudi Arabia’s presidency 41 percent women, strongly reflecting the direction the country has been taking with regards to integrating women into every level of governance and leadership.
5. FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Just last month, Saudi Arabia announced that it will abolish its long-running sponsorship system, known as kafala, a move that is set to come into full effect in the first half of 2021. This announcement means that more than one million foreign workers currently in the Kingdom are set to benefit from the ease of employment regulations.
Saudi Arabia hopes to improve the satisfaction of foreign workers in the Kingdom, better protect their rights, and boost their productivity in the labor market.https://t.co/zZCXhx0WvU
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) November 3, 2020
In addition, with this easing of employment regulations for expats, Saudi Arabia is also setting the stage to attract talent and investments from across the globe, a key part of its Vision 2030 objectives.
