Celebrating Under the Slogan: “We Dream and We Achieve”
Edited by Anna Popper
September 23rd is a highly historic day, marking the birth of the state of Saudi Arabia as we know it today. In 1932, Prince Abdul Aziz Saud, a powerful and charismatic leader, declared the unification of the rival tribes living in four scattered regions of the Arabian Peninsula into a single state through a series of conquests, beginning in 1902 with the seize of Riyadh, the ancestral home of his family and he was the first king of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s two holiest cities.
Since its establishment, Saudi Arabia has enjoyed full international recognition as an independent state and was one of the founding members of the United Nations in 1945. The development into a modern Kingdom from inhospitable deserts was made possible in a very short time by the discovery and exploitation of oil and gas fields from 1938, which was a milestone in the country’s history. Saudi Arabia is recognized worldwide as a major player in the oil industry. (In 2022, Aramco discovered two new gas fields in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia.)
By today the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has entered an era of remarkable economic, social progress and cultural success, thanks to the initiatives and transformations in several areas currently being implemented in the country within the framework of the ambitious “Vision 2030” – a flagship reform and development program, a roadmap for economic diversification and clean energy transition, global engagement and enhanced quality of life. This long-term strategy – launched in 2016 by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister – aims to bolster the country’s fiscal position, diversify and improve the competitiveness of its economy. The strategy provides an opportunity for international firms to invest in the country, particularly in the non-oil sectors, as the country significantly expands its non-oil economic activities.
On the occasion of the 93rd National Day, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Budapest hosted a diplomatic reception at the InterContinental Budapest, attended by Hungarian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the economic, business, cultural and academic circles and friends of Saudi Arabia.
Addressing the audience at the event, H.E. Ahmed Yahya Al Dagreer, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy, recalled the historical past and the tremendous progress and accomplishments of his homeland, and also talked about the major plans for the future:
“I would like to welcome you to the 93rd National Day ceremony of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Thank you for coming and sharing our joy.
Today the Kingdom commemorates its unification as a state by its founder, King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud, may God have mercy on him, who with determination and firmness at the beginning of the twentieth century was able to build the third Saudi state and unite it under the name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
After him, his sons the kings, including the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his faithful Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, followed this blessed journey and continued on the same correct path. After 93 years of building, striving and giving, my country is still a symbol of pride, glory and primacy.
On this day, we are proud of the achievements our dear country has reached in various fields, and the Kingdom has become the greatest success story of the 21st century, as a result of the wise decisions and directives of our sage leadership, in accordance with an ambitious vision. The pace of our progress will continue at a higher speed and will not stop or slow down for one day.
The Kingdom has become a peacemaker referred to in every forum because, through its distinguished international relations with all parties, it has been able to make decisions and present initiatives that have contributed to taking great steps towards combating and refuting terrorism and spread the culture of peace, tolerance and dialogue among peoples, and bring viewpoints between the parties closer together.
Sensing its humanitarian role towards the world, inspired by its message of preserving human dignity, and based on the teachings of the true Islamic religion, the Kingdom has paid great attention to preserving human life, dignity, and health, extending a helping hand, and providing support and assistance to individuals and brotherly and friendly countries through its relief institutions and charitable platforms.
The Kingdom has also achieved a leadership role in environmental protection by introducing local and international initiatives that rely on clean energy to contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
On the scientific side, the Kingdom accomplished a major scientific achievement this year by sending two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Moreover, the Saudi Science and Engineering Team also won scientific awards at “ISEF 2023” – the International Science and Engineering Fair.
All the achievements that the Kingdom has accomplished came through institutional work aimed at prosperity, security and societal well-being, and the serious pursuit of achieving the goals of Vision 2030, which anticipates the future and seeks to place the Kingdom at the forefront of the nations.
The Saudi-Hungarian relations are distinguished, and the two countries are always keen to work to further strengthen and reinforce them in areas of common interest, most notably the economic, trade and investment affairs. From this standpoint, I call on all companies in Hungary to seize the huge investment opportunities available in the Kingdom, and to enter the Saudi market, which is characterized by the facilities provided to investors, in addition to the special economic zones that provide support for a wide range of sectors and business activities that link the markets of the East and the West.
Once again, I thank you for responding to our invitation and I express my pleasure in meeting you on this Saudi National Day. Thank you!”
The official part also included video screenings, first about Riyadh Expo 2030 (as one of the candidates beside Rome/Italy and Busan/South Korea), being an important project and goal for Saudi Arabia, and then about Vision 2030, showing futuristic cities with smart buildings to the audience.
The evening continued with a generous buffet offering Saudi specialties and traditional sweets, including the best quality dates, as iconic symbol of their hospitality and essential part of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Source and Photos: Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Budapest
