Leading Kuwaiti columnist and businessman Ahmed Al-Sarraf wrote an impressive article in the Al-Qabas newspaper about the biggest secret behind the success of the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman.

Al-Sarraf listed some of the reforms undertaken by the Crown Prince, noting that he “represents an exceptional case.” The writer further noted that the Crown Prince was able to make his name the most conspicuous in the Arab and international media within a short period by all standards and that he is the most vibrant and prominent name in the vision of the region.

In ratification of this, Prince Mohammed bin Salman was recently selected as the most influential Arab leader of 2023 by RT Arabic’s poll. This victory for the third year in a row was not a mere coincidence. Rather, it reflects his strong popularity at home, as evidenced by the 2023 index on people’s confidence in their governments. Saudi Arabia topped the list with a rate of 86 percent, ahead of China, which came second with 85 percent. This not only shows the people’s satisfaction with the reforms led by the Crown Prince but also reinforces the remarkable charismatic confidence he exudes during external presence. In addition, his strategies took his country to the highest ranks, which it aspires to achieve according to the Saudi Vision 2030.

I believe that the key to Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s successes lies in executing his concept, accuracy in planning and execution, and the focus on final results, while not getting lost in the small details, for which he chose a number of the nation’s finest, competent and trusted sons. Ever since assuming major official responsibilities in 2015, Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s path was not paved with roses and flowers. The challenges were many, and some governmental tasks required firmness and fairness in the face of “whoever he was.”

He has had to overcome many difficulties to face these strenuous and intractable issues, which were imposed by previous stages as an inescapable reality. Before Prince Mohammed bin Salman took over the affairs of state administration under the generous guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, the government aspired to implement several national projects, but it did have neither a plan to “recover from oil addiction” and generate jobs for the sons and daughters of the nation nor was any official preceded him through launching a “quality of life” program for the residents of this country. His determination and decisiveness were instrumental in opening all closed doors.

The Crown Prince’s insight was evident in his early discovery that all complexities and problems are interconnected and may depend on each other. He had to work on all levels: unemployment, women empowerment, creating a new concept of societal security, updating laws and legislation, resetting the education compass to be consistent with the requirements and changes in the labor market, reexamining the penal, commercial, and family laws, and gradually developing the Saudi financial market to become one of the largest markets in the region, as well as in the world in the near future.

Prince Mohammed continued working hard day and night toward achieving the goals of Vision 2030 until he accomplished a large portion of it six years before the deadlines for its ambitious projects. Several friendly countries began to follow the young prince’s footsteps by setting a vision for their progress and growth.

This was not all in isolation from foreign policy, which has become a reflection of the importance of Saudi Arabia and its pioneering role in the Arab and Islamic world as well as other parts of the world. Saudi Arabia has become the country of regional and international summits. It also emerged as an influential country in efforts to settle global conflicts, with a special emphasis on the Saudi role in trying to bring peace to Sudan and Ukraine, Saudi Arabia’s acceptance of reconciliation with Iran after a long period of estrangement, and the firm Saudi position, reaffirmed by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to find the required solution to the Palestinian issue.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman succeeded, with clear diplomacy supported by intelligence and political sagacity, in bringing together opposites and contradictions. It brought the leaders of the great powers to sit together with the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in key summits, and it brought together the leaders of the Arab and Islamic countries in a high-profile gathering in global politics.

These remarkable achievements were made without deviating from his country’s consistent, moderate and neutral policies, which reject any interference in the affairs of other countries. This is another achievement in addition to adhering to the Kingdom’s political legacy, such as holding fast to its cultural heritage, and its tourism and urban resources. Notable among these reforms are the relentless efforts made by Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the areas of empowering women, with measures to ensure their protection in the workplace and their appointment to the highest government positions. The private sector responded proactively to these measures by choosing women to head companies or chair their boards of directors.

The secret of this charisma and the attempts of friendly countries to emulate his unconventional methodology lies in the fact that Prince Mohammed bin Salman puts the Saudi individual at the forefront of his priorities, whether it is development, employment or social care. This is what made the Saudi people, whom the Crown Prince himself described as “the Tuwaiq people,” react to his announcements that led to economic leaps, social changes, and landmark initiatives in the diplomatic, political and sporting realms.

All Saudis realize that their country is endowed with vast resources bestowed by God. Prince Mohammed bin Salman came forward with developing an effective strategy for Saudis on how to exploit their sovereign wealth for the sake of humanity, soil, and the country’s religious and moral heritage. If we take all these into account, certainly it is not strange for Prince Mohammed bin Salman to win this international ranking over and over again.

As there is progress in the accomplishment of the goals of Vision 2030, the whole world knows that there is a new Saudi Arabia whose ambitions are sky-high. It is not a Saudi Arabia that makes its steps simply for the renewal of things. Rather, it is a Saudi Arabia that is determined to change, develop, and rebuild its humans to occupy the advanced position it deserves among peoples and nations.

Therefore, other leaders have the right to emulate him, and the friendly peoples have the right to hope that their countries will emulate the leadership of Prince Mohammed bin Salman. How beautiful it is for brothers and friends to share the success story that leaves its indelible mark on Mohammed bin Salman’s arduous and brilliant career.