Riyadh: Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary affirmed that the Kingdom is steadily making progress in achieving results that create impact and foster sustainability, based on confidence in its ability to deliver.

According to Saudi Press Agency, during the 32nd government press conference held by the Ministry of Media in Riyadh, Al-Dossary noted that royal orders issued last week appointing national leaders embody the approach of empowering talent and continuing the development process. He also highlighted that the approval by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to launch the sixth edition of the National Campaign for Charitable Work through the Ehsan platform on the third day of Ramadan is an extension of the Kingdom's approach of giving and generosity.

The conference also featured Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail, who discussed the transformation of the non-profit sector, and Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) President Dr. Abdullah Alghamdi, who highlighted efforts to empower charitable work during the holy month.

Regarding the care of the two holy mosques, Al-Dossary noted that the number of international Umrah pilgrims increased from 8.5 million in 2019 to more than 18 million in 2025, and pilgrim satisfaction increased from 80% to 94% during the same period, exceeding Vision 2030 targets through the development of more than 90 initiatives.

On media affairs, the minister stated that the fifth edition of the Saudi Media Forum reached over five billion international impressions, featured more than 300 experts from over 20 countries, and launched more than 12 initiatives. He noted that the forum set a Guinness World Record for the largest media event, attracting over 65,000 visitors.

In terms of humanitarian aid and economic development, Al-Dossary noted that the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen launched 28 new development projects worth SAR1.9 billion, including a petroleum derivatives grant and support for health, energy, and education.

Domestically, he pointed to the conclusion of the fourth Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Forum, which saw the participation of over 13,000 representatives and more than 100 PIF portfolio companies. He added that the forum witnessed the signing of more than 135 memoranda of understanding with a total value of SAR60 billion. Furthermore, the third World Defense Show 2026 attracted over 137,000 visitors and 1,500 exhibitors from 90 countries, with procurement contracts reaching SAR33 billion.

Al-Dossary stated that the telecommunications sector created more than 406,000 jobs by the end of 2025, up from 250,000 in 2018. He added that the communications and information technology market reached nearly SAR190 billion in 2025, representing cumulative growth of 80%.

In the industrial sector, five new renewable energy projects were signed with investments exceeding SAR9 billion. He noted that the Dawadmi Wind Energy Project recorded the lowest global cost for electricity production from wind power, with available capacity reaching approximately 64 gigawatts by the end of 2025. Additionally, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) signed industrial and logistics investments exceeding SAR8.8 billion across more than 3.3 million square meters, with existing industrial facilities reaching approximately 13,000, and total investments of SAR1.22 trillion. The Saudi Export-Import Bank has provided SAR115 billion in credit facilities since its establishment until the end of 2025.

Regarding social development and healthcare, Al-Dossary stated that the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development enabled nearly 100,000 social security beneficiaries by the end of November 2025 through various employment and training programs. He noted that Saudization rates in several specialized professions have reached 70%.

In healthcare, registered practitioners exceeded 800,000 by the end of 2025, reflecting an annual growth rate of over 8%. The Saudi Board graduated more than 5,500 physicians in 2025, the largest cohort in its history.

Addressing media regulation, the minister said the General Authority of Media Regulation enforces laws against misinformation, noting that most content is positive because of the Saudi public's high awareness.

Finally, he described Founding Day, observed annually on February 22, as a deeply rooted national occasion and stated that this year's celebration would include high-quality programs from the Ministry of Culture that resonate with the spirit of Ramadan.

Municipalities and Housing Minister Al-Hogail affirmed that the donation of SAR1 billion from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, represents a message that investing in human capital is a strategic choice and that family stability is a national priority within the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

Al-Hogail stated that the partnership with the non-profit sector has undergone a qualitative transformation that expanded the scope of support and services. He indicated that the sector now includes 313 non-profit organizations with over 345,000 volunteers, achieving results that include providing housing support to more than 106,000 individuals and protecting more than 200,000 people from losing their homes.

He stated that 1.4 million volunteers have been registered over the past five years, fostering a culture of giving. He further noted that the ministry has worked to empower families and improve housing through programs in home rehabilitation, neighborhood improvement, economic independence, and skills development.

Regarding the Jood Eskan platform, Al-Hogail stated that it began by serving 100 families and has since expanded into a national platform serving over 50,000 families across the Kingdom. He noted that the number of donors has exceeded 4.5 million, with total contributions surpassing SAR5 billion since 2021.

The minister addressed the role of digital transformation in expediting support delivery, noting that a platform for those facing financial difficulties, linked to the Ministry of Justice, has reduced case processing time from one month to 19 days. He added that the electronic signature service has shortened the property ownership process from 14 days to two days.

Al-Hogail reported that in 2025, more than 150,000 digital transactions were processed, and the needs of more than 400,000 beneficiaries were assessed through integrated national databases.

Regarding the Vision 2030 target to increase the non-profit sector's contribution to 5% and the potential transfer of assets, Al-Hogail noted that over the past five years, the non-profit sector has developed under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. He affirmed that this development has prompted government agencies to reassess allocations to the private sector, partnerships with the third sector, and the portion that will remain within annual government budgets.

SDAIA President Alghamdi revealed record-breaking figures achieved by the Ehsan platform, noting that total donations have exceeded SAR14 billion through more than 330 million transactions since its inception in 2021. He stated that 2025 was an exceptional year in which the platform achieved a significant leap, surpassing SAR4.5 billion through 135 million transactions.

Alghamdi added that indicators demonstrated a high level of operational maturity, with an average donation speed of four transactions per second and an average daily donation exceeding SAR12 million through 390,000 transactions daily.

Regarding sustainability, Alghamdi discussed the Ehsan endowment fund, describing it as the largest traded endowment fund in the Kingdom, with donations exceeding SAR2 billion through more than 3.8 million endowment contributions. He noted that the fund supports more than 2,400 charitable organizations.

In response to journalists' questions, Alghamdi said that the Ehsan platform utilizes spatial analysis techniques, such as heat maps, to identify gaps and prioritize areas. He stated that the platform automates the entire donation journey from opportunity identification to impact measurement, fostering trust through real-time reports and personalized recommendations for donors to ensure transparency.

In closing, Alghamdi invited donors to participate in the sixth national campaign launching on the third of Ramadan to continue the tradition of giving and uphold the values of charity and benevolence in society.