Boris Johnson Hails Saudi Arabia’s Rapid Transformation at Forum

At the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson pointed to Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation under Vision 2030 as a lesson for other nations. Johnson, who resigned in 2022, contrasted Saudi Arabia’s swift development with the UK’s infrastructure delays.

“You’ve spent USD 68 billion on these projects, and we still can’t complete one railway," he said, referencing the UK’s stalled High Speed 2 rail project.

Johnson recalled a visit to NEOM eight years ago, when the area was empty, and contrasted it with its current status as a growing hub for tourism and development. He also pointed to rising female participation in the workforce, particularly in tech, where he claimed Saudi women are outpacing Europe and Silicon Valley.

The Saudi Media Forum runs in Riyadh from February 19th to the 21st, drawing global media figures and policymakers.