RIYADH: The opening day of the Human Capability Initiative 2025 in Riyadh marked a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s journey toward empowering youth and fostering innovation with the signing of several agreements and the launch of impactful programs.
In a move underscoring global collaboration, the Kingdom signed an agreement with the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association, the World Organization of the Scout Movement, and the World Scout Foundation.
Under this partnership, Saudi Arabia will invest $50 million over the next decade to support the Messengers of Peace initiative—a global youth-led program focused on peace-building and sustainable development projects.
On the national front, the Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to transforming education through the National Curriculum Center. This research-driven institution, working with key government entities such as the Ministries of Sports, Education, Economy and Planning, and Culture, aims to empower teachers and better prepare students for global competitiveness.
King Saud University and CEER, the Kingdom’s national automotive company, also signed a memorandum of understanding to promote collaboration in scientific research, training, and knowledge sharing.
Their partnership will emphasize innovation, technical consulting, and talent development—critical elements in building a knowledge-based economy.
In an effort to professionalize the sports sector, the Ministry of Sports, in partnership with the Leaders Development Institute, introduced the Professional License and Program Accreditation Regulation.
This initiative sets a new benchmark for qualifications, training, and the development of athletic professionals in line with Vision 2030.
Further advancing digital capabilities, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in collaboration with Noon, launched the second edition of the Digital Future Readiness Program.
This initiative will equip 7,000 Saudi students with generative AI skills, combining hands-on training with cutting-edge digital tools to cultivate future-ready leaders.
The Ministry of Tourism also backed a strategic agreement between Umm Al-Qura University and Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne to strengthen collaboration in tourism education and training.
KSU launched a new open online training platform, offering certified programs recognized by both the university and the National e-Learning Center.
This platform expands professional development opportunities while enabling developers to contribute and gain academic accreditation for their content.
Additionally, KSU signed agreements with IBM Middle East and the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence to accelerate AI innovation through specialized training and certifications.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development also awarded KSU the prestigious Gold Certificate for Accreditation, recognizing its compliance with Universal Accessibility Standards. This milestone underscores KSU’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive environment for both students and staff, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals for equitable and accessible education.
In related developments, the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched several initiatives aimed at strengthening Arabic language education and research on a global scale. One key initiative, the “Language Policies Around the World” project, will compile and analyze language policies in non-Arab countries, comparing them with Saudi Arabia’s own approach. The findings will be presented in a comprehensive report, followed by an international symposium to discuss the future directions of language policy.
KSGAAL is also expanding the scope of its Arabic Language Months initiative. In its second phase, the program will continue offering high-quality Arabic teaching programs, focusing on educator training, improving learning methodologies, and enhancing Arabic’s presence worldwide.
Alongside this, KSGAAL is introducing the “Kalamuna” video series, which features over 50 Arabic language experts who will produce 1,000 short video clips—each under two minutes—aimed at simplifying complex linguistic concepts and elevating the cultural status of Arabic. These videos will be shared across a variety of digital platforms.
Additionally, KSGAAL has launched the “Children of Arabic” book series, a collection of 30 interactive books designed for young learners. The series includes literary stories, language games, and coloring/activity books, with the goal of engaging children with both the Arabic language and Saudi culture in an educational and fun way.
Meanwhile, the Heritage Commission has introduced the Heritage Pioneers Program, an annual training initiative aimed at 500 participants in fields such as archaeology, site management, and craft preservation. The program offers participants hands-on experience, mentorship from experts, and collaboration with universities and cultural organizations to develop critical skills in heritage conservation.
Targeting both recent graduates and experienced practitioners, the program plays an important role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s cultural leadership and its broader sustainable development goals.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources signed an MoU with FESTO, a German company, to develop vocational training programs in industrial facilities across the Kingdom.
Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef also witnessed the launch of NAVA Academy—the first digital glossary for electric vehicle manufacturing and maintenance terminology.
This initiative was launched in partnership with theministry and the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language.
The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, through its Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education, established a strategic partnership with the World Bank to advance educational development initiatives.
The first day of the event concluded with the signing of a MoU between the Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries and the Technical and Vocational Training Corp., reinforcing efforts to enhance vocational education and workforce development across the region.
Held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Human Capability Initiative 2025 runs from April 13-14 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh. Themed “Beyond Readiness,” the summit brings together more than 12,000 attendees and 300+ speakers from over 100 countries.
Discussions focus on preparing the global workforce for future challenges, with key themes including AI-driven transformations, upskiling strategies, and inclusive development. The event also features the Education Global Exhibition, spotlighting innovations in learning and workforce evolution.
