When Ideas Take Visual Form

This article explores how the Quality of Life Program has become a defining pillar of Vision 2030. Through more than 120 initiatives, the program has reshaped everyday realities and raised aspirations across the Kingdom. In a candid conversation during Misk Global Forum 2024, CEO Khaled Albaker shares how strategy and leadership meet on the ground—where empowerment turns into real, lived impact for Saudi youth and society.
 
 

What moment shaped your leadership and decision-making style? In a dialogue at the Misk Global Forum 2024, Khaled Khalid Abdullah Albaker, CEO of the Quality of Life Program, reflected on his leadership journey: 

“A person is shaped by many moments—life experiences, challenges, education, professional ventures, and even social events and family influence. All of these shape how one sees leadership and makes decisions.” 

For Albaker, leadership maturity isn’t an overnight occurrence—it’s a layered outcome of diverse encounters. 

How Does a Leader Make Time to Grow? 

Balancing daily demands with self-development is one of leadership’s greatest challenges. According to Albaker, the answer lies in surrounding oneself with a capable team, setting clear priorities, adapting to change, and most importantly—listening. These are what allow a leader to keep evolving. 

The Quality of Life Program: A Strategic Vision for a Brighter Future 

The Quality-of-Life Program is one of the flagship initiatives under Vision 2030, driving more than 120 projects aimed at enriching everyday life for all segments of society. The program targets six main sectors: 

  • Sports 
  • Tourism 
  • Culture and Heritage 
  • Entertainment and Hobbies 
  • Urban Design 
  • Safety and Security 

It operates under two main pillars: 

  • Enhancing Livability through improvements in urban infrastructure, housing, transport, healthcare, and safety. 
  • Enriching Lifestyles by creating vibrant cultural, recreational, and touristic opportunities—especially for the youth. 

From Vision to Impact: Initiatives That Make a Difference 

The strength of the program lies not only in its vision, but in its ability to translate that vision into tangible results. More than 120 initiatives are currently underway, many of them youth-focused. 

Among the highlights, Albaker cited the Fakher program—an inclusive sports initiative for individuals with disabilities, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Sports. One powerful story emerged when a beneficiary named his daughter “Fakher,” a heartfelt tribute to the impact the initiative had on his life. 

Albaker also noted that several Vision 2030 targets have already been achieved well ahead of schedule: 

  • Tourism Goal Achieved: The Kingdom reached 100 million tourist visits in 2023, a goal originally set for 2030. The new target is now 150 million. 
  • Cultural Heritage Milestone: Eight Saudi sites have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as of 2024, meeting the 2030 goal six years early. 

From Recipient to Contributor: Youth Take the Lead 

One of the most profound shifts driven by the program is how it redefined the role of Saudi youth—from passive recipients to active contributors and investors in national growth. 

New doors have opened in previously untapped sectors like culture, entertainment, and tourism. Young Saudis are stepping up not just as participants, but as creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals helping fuel the Kingdom’s economic engine. 

To lead this transformation, Albaker emphasized the importance of equipping youth with essential traits such as: 

  • Adaptability 
  • Resilience in the face of challenges 
  • Risk-taking ability 
  • Social intelligence through public engagement 
  • Professional firmness with kindness and flexibility 

In conclusion, With a clear vision and results grounded in measurable impact, the Quality of Life Program proves that transformation isn’t just a promise—it’s a visible, daily reality. 

Quality of life is no longer a luxury—it’s a national priority. It’s about unlocking human potential, fostering leadership, and empowering a generation to imagine, build, and own the future of their country. 

 

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