with over 100 Officials Representing 195 Countries
Geneva – October 21, 2025
His Excellency Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of the National Competitiveness Center, emphasized the role of Saudi Vision 2030 during the proceedings of the 16th session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. He noted that the Vision, launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister (may God protect him), has driven an unprecedented transformation of the Saudi economy, making it markedly different from the past.
The Kingdom is taking part in the session, hosted by the Swiss city of Geneva until the 23rd of this month under the theme 'Shaping the Future: Driving economic transformation for equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development.' The event brings together high-level governmental representation, including 60 ministers, 40 deputy ministers, and senior officials from 195 countries.
During the ministerial roundtable titled 'Making the digital economy inclusive and sustainable through cooperation,' Al-Kassabi highlighted the impact of Vision 2030 on the growth and development of the Kingdom's digital economy. The session was moderated by journalist Isabelle Kumar and attended by the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila.
It also featured the participation of H.E. Dr. Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion of Zimbabwe; Helene Budliger Artieda, State Secretary and Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland; and Mr. Gerd Müller, Director General of the UN Industrial Development Organization.
H.E. Al-Kassabi explained that Vision 2030 has provided a comprehensive framework, making reform a continuous process. This has resulted in updated legislation, restructuring, and digitalization of thousands of procedures. From this process, the impact is evident in the private sector's contribution rising to nearly half of the GDP, with the digital economy accounting for 16% of GDP. H.E. Al-Kassabi noted that the Saudi Business Center has been instrumental in improving the business environment, particularly in e-commerce, and stated that the Kingdom aims to make the digital economy accessible to entrepreneurs.
During the session's proceedings, H.E. Al-Kassabi held a series of meetings that focused on strengthening economic cooperation and facilitating trade with several ministers and international officials: Mr. Atheer Al-Ghrairi, Minister of Commerce of Iraq; Mr. Qais bin Mohammed Al-Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of Oman; Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk, Finance Minister of Egypt; Dr. Arnoldo André Tinoco, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica; Mr. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade of Morocco; H.E. Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs at Ministry of Commerce & Industry of Qatar; and Dr. Kamel Rezig, Minister of Trade and Export Promotion, People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. H.E. Al-Kassabi also met with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General; and Ms. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
The session addressed a number of key topics, most notably the digital economy and its impact on inclusivity and sustainability, the importance of strengthening international cooperation, and the role of UNCTAD in shaping relevant policies, especially in data governance and an inclusive digital economy. It also highlighted UNCTAD's capacity to assist countries in building resilient digital ecosystems that bridge divides, improve data governance, foster innovation, and support the circular economy.
