The Minister of Education, during the inauguration of the Human Capability Development Initiative Conference, said:
The Crown Prince prioritizes human development in national transformation projects
His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, inaugurated the second edition of the Human Capability Development Initiative (HCI) Conference this morning. This conference coincides with the Education Global Exhibition (EDGEx 2025), organized by the Ministry of Education and scheduled for April 13 to 16 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh. The conference gathers a select group of educational leaders, policymakers, and professionals, along with representatives from local and international universities, colleges, institutions, major technology companies, and investors in the education sector.
In his opening remarks, the Minister of Education highlighted that this year's conference corresponds with the objectives of the Human Capability Development Program, which is one of the initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030. This program receives continuous support and monitoring from His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Human Capability Development Program Committee, who places a strong emphasis on human development within national transformation projects.
His Excellency highlighted that this year's edition of the HCI conference features qualitative additions, including the introduction of the Education Global Exhibition (EDGEx), which is hosted in partnership with the Ministry of Education, in addition to a specialized ministerial roundtable dedicated to discussing the implication of artificial intelligence (AI) on human capacity development. These events will enrich our overall experience and contribute to enhancing participation in the field of human capability development.
Minister Al-Benyan said, "We gather here today at a pivotal moment marked by challenges amid extraordinary potential. Our world is evolving faster than ever, driven by technological leaps, environmental sustainability challenges, demographic shifts, and global uncertainties. Yet amidst these complexities, our important constant remains human capabilities, the boundless potential of our people."
He added that developing human capabilities—the essential skills, knowledge, and values—enables individuals to lead productive lives. He continued, saying that this process serves as our pathway and destination, allowing generations to prepare for a future beyond readiness. He explained that this edition of the initiative underscores our collective responsibility to ensure that human capabilities remain at the core of our shared vision for sustainable economic growth.
The Minister of Education explained that the journey toward unleashing human potential starts with transforming our approach to capability development, fostering lifelong learning, and adopting flexible systems that allow individuals to continuously enhance their skills throughout their lives. He emphasized that the complexities of today's challenges necessitate unprecedented collaboration among governments, businesses, educational institutions, and society.
His Excellency added, "The Human Capability Development Initiative is part of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on supporting human capability. It is important to consider how we can work collectively on the main three themes of the conference: harnessing our capabilities to develop our capacities, honoring our values to enhance our growth, and dedicating our efforts to maximizing our impact for a better future."
In concluding his remarks, the Minister of Education called on everyone to confront challenges and transform them into lasting opportunities to shape a prosperous and sustainable future for future generations.