HM King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud was proclaimed the seventh King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in January 2015, following the death of his half-brother, King Abdullah. Prior to this, he served as Crown Prince from June 2012 and held numerous senior roles, including Governor of Riyadh Province for nearly five decades. King Salman’s authority derives from his position as absolute monarch of the Arab world’s most influential state, the custodian of Islam’s two holiest cities, and ruler of one of the world’s largest oil-producing nations.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques: As Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman oversees Makkah and Madinah, visited annually by millions of pilgrims. Each year, between two and three million Muslims perform Hajj, while millions more undertake Umrah throughout the year. Major multibillion-dollar expansion projects are underway in both the Masjid al-Haram in Makkah and the Prophet’s ﷺMosque in Madinah, improving capacity, transportation, and facilities for pilgrims. His custodianship gives him unparalleled influence over the global Muslim community.
Head of the World’s Largest Dawah Network: King Salman is also head of the most extensive dawah network of missionary Muslims in the world, promoting the Salafi brand of Islam. Salafism is historically rooted in Saudi Arabia and owes its global spread to the financial backing of Saudi Arabia.
Oil Reserves: Saudi Arabia possesses around 17% of the world’s proven oil reserves, and petroleum continues to account for a majority of state revenues. However, King Salman has overseen a major strategic shift through Vision 2030, launched in 2016 under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership, aiming to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on hydrocarbons, and transform the Kingdom into a hub for tourism, technology, logistics, and renewable energy.
Vision 2030: Flagship projects such as the futuristic city of NEOM continue despite logistical and financial challenges. At the same time, the Kingdom has expanded its soft power through sports and culture, hosting high-profile golf and football tournaments, and securing the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Vision 2030 has also driven significant social and economic reforms, among the most notable being the steady rise in female workforce participation, reflecting the broader social shifts that are redefining Saudi society while supporting long-term economic sustainability.
Humanitarian: The King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aid (KSRelief) was established in 2015 and delivers aid internationally to victims of civil war and natural disasters. KSRelief has funded more than 2,400 projects in 92 countries, spending over $6 billion. Projects included assisting Syrian patients living in the Zaatari Syrian refugee camp in Jordan and providing prosthetic limbs to Yemeni civilians wounded during the war. KSRelief also partnered with UNICEF and UNHCR to support families affected by war.
Key Appointments: The transfer of power from the sons of the founder of Saudi Arabia, King Abdul-Aziz, to the new generation, which some feared would be an issue that would split the country, has been remarkably smooth so far. HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the second Crown Prince from the new generation appointed by King Salman. These appointees have brought changes in law which have had monumental social effects, changes such as allowing women in Saudi Arabia to move freely and drive, and the promotion of cinemas and music concerts.
The Gaza Genocide: Recent years have seen several Arab countries normalise relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia has been keen to follow suit. The Israeli genocide in Gaza has complicated matters but political will to normalise relations with Israel remains. Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s actions and demanded the establishment of a Palestinian state.
