RIYADH: From major announcements placing the Kingdom at the forefront of global sports to forums setting a precedent for regional investment and the heroic actions of citizens that stand as a testament to Saudi traditions, 2025 marked a historic benchmark in the nation’s transformation.
With fewer than five years remaining until the Vision 2030 deadline, Arab News looks back at the pivotal moments this year that helped shape the Kingdom’s future.
It was in 2012 that the Council of Ministers approved the implementation of the King Abdulaziz Project for Riyadh Public Transport, which included the Riyadh Metro. At the time, the $22.5 billion project was seen as a massive undertaking to transform Riyadh’s infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump poses for a family picture with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and other attendees during the US-Saudi Investment Forum in Washington, DC, November 19, 2025. (Reuters/File)
Fast forward to January 2025, and that vision became a reality with the inauguration of the Orange Line. This marked the completion of the capital’s six-line metro project — a significant step in modernizing urban transport and advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals.
