Back in the 1950s, Riyadh was a tiny capital city of a relatively young country. During those days, the population of the city was very small. As a matter of fact, it was less than the total population of a modern Riyadh district of today.
The buildings were simple and the streets were usually dotted with palm trees. In other words, at that time the capital was striving to carve its own niche among the rich regional capitals.
It would not be wrong be claim that the city’s transformation began on Feb. 4, 1963 when then Prince Salman was appointed its governor. His tenure as the governor of one of the most important world capitals lasted for 48 years i.e. almost half a century. It was during those five decades that the city transformed into a modern city with world-class infrastructure. It was Prince Salman’s efforts that made the city a key center of business and politics and it emerged as city of global and regional importance.
In one way or the other, the history of the city of Riyadh is the history of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman himself. It is not only a city that he effectively managed for decades. To him, it is more than just a city. It is part of his life. During his tenure as the governor of Riyadh, he met and hosted international VIPs who visited the capital, he learned the intricacies of politics and understood the tricks of business negotiation. During his tenure, the city grew its network of roads, bridges and underpasses. Universities were built and skyscrapers were constructed.
Being at the heart of all this action, King Salman demonstrated all the qualities of a leader who inspired, motivated, directed, moderated, negotiated and took the toughest of decisions just at the right time. Riyadh was the city that prepared him, transformed him into the king we all know today.
Therefore, when the moment came on Jan. 23, 2015, King Salman was ready to assume his new role as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the King of Saudi Arabia.
During his first year as the king, he had to take tough decision with far-reaching consequences. The declining oil prices pressuring our budget, the terrorist threats we are facing on our northern and southern borders are two examples.
The king took quick moves to contain all threats. Within a short time after ascending the throne, King Salman ordered abolition of most of the government committees to streamline all official procedures under two bodies: the Council of Political and Security Affairs and the Council for Economic and Development Affairs.
These two councils have been assigned the task to restructure the government procedures.
The changes these committees are trying to introduce can already be seen through their decisions to reshape government bodies. Through these committees, ministers’ performances are monitored and evaluated.
Moreover, the chaos erupting in Yemen and threatening our southern borders was something King Salman did not take long to address. In March, he decided to take military action to support Yemen’s government against the Houthi rebellion. From the name of that operation, Decisive Storm, the King earned his new name, The King of Decisiveness.
