RIYADH — What is Quality of Life and how can the Kingdom shape it for generations to come? This is the question Saudi Arabia is embracing as it hosts “Future Studios”, a unique global gathering, where it brings together futurists, entrepreneurs and visionaries with the Kingdom’s key policymakers.

The goal? To co-create a vision of quality of life for the people of Saudi Arabia from the people of Saudi Arabia: giving a voice to various stakeholders of society to inform, challenge and evolve the thinking of policy makers responsible for the Quality of Life Program, as the Kingdom strives towards its Vision 2030.

The two-day event opens today, hosted by Ahmed Bin Aqeel Al Khateeb in his role as Chairman of The Quality of Life Program committee, one of the Vision Realization Programs of Vision 2030 that is responsible for coordinating the activities of sports, culture an entertainment; and Chairman of General Entertainment Authority Saudi Arabia. He is joined by Princess Reema Bint Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, GSA’s vice President for Planning & Development.

Ahmed Al Khateeb said: “As the Kingdom undertakes its journey to Vision 2030, under the patronage of The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Quality of Life Vision Realization Program will play a vital role in making Saudi Arabia a top living destination for both Saudi citizens and foreigners.”

“The definition of the concept of Quality of Life is unique, and to achieve this vision the aim is to drive innovation with high ambition.”

“The Quality of Life Program’s ultimate ambition is to make Saudi Arabia a top living destination and include at least three Saudi Arabian cities in the Top 100 most liveable cities indexes by 2030.”

“Achieving such a target requires addressing a wide range of components, from the development of an entertainment infrastructure to higher public participation in athletic activities.”

“We have gathered a carefully curated selection of policy-makers, global and Saudi innovators, world-class thinkers and private sector participants, at this event, to amplify and accelerate existing Quality of Life initiatives, as well as to create new ones. In a fast-changing world, we are trying to map what Quality of Life could be in The Kingdom’s future.”

Featuring keynote ‘creative inspiration’ as well as ‘accelerator’ workshops, Quality of Life studio seeks to create the path to impact for critical initiatives to be realized and delivered to realize the nation’s vision.

From Saudi Arabia, officials from 20 different key government stakeholders will sit with over 20 leading lights from The Kingdom. These chosen contributors include digital entrepreneurs, architects, e-commerce leaders, urban designers, athletes, health care advocates, artists and film-makers.

They will be joined by international luminaries who have all achieved milestones in their respective fields. From urban transport experts to Olympians, technologists to theatre producers, these 17 curated innovators bring cutting-edge thinking and innovation to the table.

Together they will explore topics that include Social Engagement, Education and Economic Opportunity, Sport and Physical Activity, Art, Culture and Heritage, Entertainment and Recreation and Urban Design and Environment. — SG