360The 2010s: Vision 2030 and a changing Kingdom
King Salman began his reign in 2015, and in 2016 Saudi Arabia launched Vision 2030 to diversify its economy. Women began driving in 2018, and tourist visas were introduced in 2019. Worldwide, scientists found the Higgs boson, photographed a black hole, and nations signed the Paris climate agreement.
In January 2015, King Salman bin Abdulaziz began his reign. In April 2016, the Kingdom announced Vision 2030, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It set goals to reduce dependence on oil, grow private business, develop tourism, entertainment and sport, and raise quality of life.
Change came quickly. Cinemas reopened in 2018, and in June 2018 women began driving. In September 2019, Saudi Arabia introduced tourist visas for visitors from dozens of countries. In December 2019, the Kingdom took on the presidency of the G20, the group of the world's major economies. Saudi Aramco listed its shares in 2019 in what was then the world's largest stock market listing.
In July 2012, scientists at CERN announced the discovery of the Higgs boson, a particle that helps explain why matter has mass.
In December 2015, nearly every country agreed the Paris Agreement, aiming to limit global warming.
In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration published the first image of a black hole, at the centre of the galaxy M87.
At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus was identified, which would lead to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2012
- Higgs boson discovered
- 2015
- King Salman's reign begins; Paris Agreement
- 2016
- Vision 2030 launched
- 2018
- Women begin driving in Saudi Arabia
- 2019
- Tourist visas introduced; first black hole image
Sources: Vision 2030 · Saudipedia · CERN · Britannica.