Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah underscored the crucial role of investing in infrastructure and industrial policies in the world's least developed countries. He emphasized that such investments not only help these nations transition to middle-income economies but also positively impact the global economy. Dr. Al-Rabeeah made these remarks during his participation in the roundtable discussion titled "Industrial Policies for the Development of the Least Developed Countries," part of the second session of the Multilateral Industrial Policy Forum (MIPF 2024). The event, organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, brought together around 3,000 global industry leaders, decision-makers, CEOs, and experts from the industrial sector. "In this significant gathering, our goal is to advance economic prospe rity, industrial development, and sustainable practices,' Dr. Al-Rabeeah stated. "This roundtable is a vital platform for exchanging ideas, experiences, and strategies that have enabled least developed countries to achieve a successful transition to middle-income status". He highlighted the alignment of UNIDO's mission with the ninth Sustainable Development Goal, which focuses on building resilient infrastructure, fostering inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and promoting innovation. He added that KSrelief's efforts mirror these objectives, as the organization looks beyond immediate relief to empower vulnerable communities toward self-reliance. Since its establishment, KSrelief has partnered with over 190 humanitarian organizations, impacting 102 countries globally. Dr. Al-Rabeeah emphasized that localization is central to KSrelief's mission, strengthening national capabilities and enhancing social resilience. This approach, he noted, is instrumental in creating long-term prosperity, peace, and so cial cohesion while also boosting employment and empowering marginalized groups. He cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a critical lesson in the importance of coordinated logistical efforts, as countries often struggled to manage aid and vaccine distribution independently. In response, the Kingdom is focusing on localizing vaccine production and establishing logistics centers for critical supplies, aiming to ensure a more effective response to future health emergencies on both regional and global scales. Highlighting KSrelief's successes, Dr. Al-Rabeeah pointed out that the center has positively affected over 43,000 beneficiaries through diverse training and capacity-building initiatives. In Yemen, he said, more than 11,000 individuals-particularly women and youth-have acquired professional and entrepreneurial skills, leading to improved living conditions. He noted that 87% of these individuals have started their own businesses and increased their income, attributing their success to KSrelief's support. He also mentioned that KSrelief's projects have empowered 375 Yemeni women in the renewable energy sector, establishing solar energy projects that benefit 21,000 people. He emphasized the importance of an integrated approach that combines humanitarian work, development, and peace-building, enabling effective responses to crises and fostering sustainable development in conflict-affected regions. MIPF 2024 offers a platform to showcase Saudi Arabia's accomplishments in the industrial sector, highlighting initiatives aimed at localizing strategic industries and presenting new investment opportunities. The forum aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the National Industrial Strategy, both of which aim to enhance the competitiveness of the industrial sector and promote innovation and creativity. Source: Saudi Press Agency
Friday, May 01, 2026