Beirut: The American University of Beirut (AUB) recently held a significant panel discussion titled “Hawkama and Vision 2030: The Reform of Governance in Saudi Arabia,” hosted by the Good Governance and Citizenship Observatory (GGCO) at the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship. The event featured insights from Bernard Haykel, a Professor of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University, known for his expertise in the Gulf and Middle East regions. The discussion focused on how institutional reform and regulatory change are enhancing transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation agenda.
According to National News Agency – Lebanon, the panel attracted notable attendees, including Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Waleed Al-Bukhari, as well as the ambassadors of Spain and Mexico to Lebanon. Also present were Dr. Fadi Makki, Lebanon’s minister of state for administrative reform, former ministers, and senior AUB representatives, such as its president Dr. Fadlo Khuri and provost Dr. Zaher Dawy. Lina Abou-Habib, Director of the Asfari Institute, opened the event by emphasizing the timeliness and significance of discussing governance structures in the Arab region during this period of transition and instability.
Dr. Simon Kachar, GGCO founding director and political science lecturer at AUB, provided context for the discussion, underscoring the importance of understanding governance reform in today’s rapidly changing world. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 as an ambitious blueprint for economic diversification and social change, underpinned by governance reform. Kachar noted that the GGCO aims to foster critical thinking and informed dialogue regarding governance and citizenship within Arab contexts, linking progress and sustainable development to transparent and inclusive governance structures.
AUB President Dr. Fadlo Khuri remarked on the panel’s regional and global significance, asserting that understanding Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is crucial for both neighboring countries and the international community. He praised Professor Haykel’s expertise and objectivity, calling him one of the region’s most insightful and honest experts.
Moderated by Dr. Tania Haddad, associate professor of public administration and nonprofit management at AUB, the discussion delved into Saudi Arabia’s ambitious state-led transformation agenda over the past decade. Anchored in Vision 2030, the reforms encompass economic diversification, bureaucratic modernization, social liberalization, and institutional restructuring. The panel critically examined the governance dimensions, including origins, mechanisms, and implications of these reforms.
Professor Haykel outlined the driving forces behind Saudi Arabia’s reform agenda, emphasizing the leadership’s realization that the previous governance system was unsustainable. He noted the distinctive honesty with which Saudi leadership has discussed the need for change. The conversation explored how reforms have reshaped state-citizen relationships, focusing on nationalism, identity, and civic responsibility, while addressing accountability, transparency, and citizen participation. The discussion concluded with a reflection on the broader regional implications of Saudi Arabia’s reform experience.
The event ended with a Q and A session, inviting reflections on the sustainability, implementation, and broader impact of the reforms.