Misk Highlights Youth Achievements on International Youth Day

The Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk) has marked International Youth Day by highlighting a year of achievement in building youth capabilities, with more than 524,000 beneficiaries reached through its programs and initiatives during 2025, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). The Riyadh-based foundation, established under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, reported that its integrated system of programs spans leadership development, skills training, entrepreneurship, culture and the arts — all designed to support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthen investment in people as a key driver of national development.

The scale of Misk’s reach reflects a deliberate national strategy: Saudi Arabia is a young nation, with roughly two-thirds of its population under the age of 35, and the Kingdom has placed youth empowerment at the center of its long-term transformation agenda. Misk — whose full name is the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation — operates as a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and nurturing talent across the Kingdom, providing young Saudis with platforms to develop skills, launch enterprises, and represent their country on the world stage. Why does this matter for observers far beyond the Kingdom’s borders? Because how Saudi Arabia invests in its young population will shape not only its own economic future but also its role as a global partner in innovation, culture, and diplomacy.

Context and Background

How did Misk become one of the region’s most recognized youth-focused institutions? The foundation was established to serve as a catalyst for Saudi talent, and its annual calendar of programs has grown steadily in scope and ambition since its founding. The milestones reported for 2025 include the ninth edition of the Misk Global Forum, the ninth edition of Misk Art Week, and the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding with London Business School (LBS) to empower leadership talent. Each of these initiatives reflects a distinct pillar of the foundation’s mission — dialogue and thought leadership, cultural expression, and world-class human capital development.

The Misk Global Forum has become a flagship gathering where young people from Saudi Arabia and around the world exchange ideas with entrepreneurs, policymakers, and creative leaders. The 2025 edition drew 1,461 speakers and attracted 16,583 visitors both in person and virtually, according to the foundation’s performance indicators. Misk Art Week, meanwhile, attracted more than 45,000 visitors, cementing its position as a platform for contemporary art and creative dialogue in the region. Together, these events demonstrate how Saudi Arabia is building convening power in fields that matter to young people globally — from technology and entrepreneurship to art and design.

The memorandum of understanding with London Business School represents another dimension of Misk’s strategy: partnering with elite international institutions to accelerate the development of Saudi leadership talent. Such partnerships are central to Vision 2030’s human capability development goals, which seek to prepare Saudi citizens for the jobs and industries of the future. By linking young Saudis with globally recognized academic and professional networks, Misk helps ensure that the Kingdom’s next generation of leaders is equipped to compete — and collaborate — on an international stage.

Key Details

What do the numbers from 2025 actually tell us about the depth of Misk’s impact? The reported figure of more than 524,000 beneficiaries across the foundation’s programs and entities is not simply a headline statistic; it represents hundreds of thousands of individual experiences — training courses completed, mentorships formed, startups launched, artworks exhibited, and connections made. The foundation’s work spans multiple tracks: leadership development programs that prepare young Saudis for roles in government and industry; skills-building initiatives focused on digital literacy, communication, and professional readiness; entrepreneurship support that helps young founders turn ideas into viable businesses; and cultural programs that nurture creative expression in art, music, film, and design.

The ninth Misk Global Forum stands out as a case study in youth engagement at scale. With 1,461 speakers and 16,583 attendees across physical and virtual formats, the forum functions as a global meeting point for young changemakers. The event’s hybrid format — combining in-person participation in Riyadh with digital access worldwide — reflects a deliberate effort to ensure that geography is not a barrier to participation. For international observers, this is a signal that Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a hub for global youth dialogue, not merely a participant in it.

Misk Art Week’s attendance of more than 45,000 visitors underscores the growing appetite for cultural programming in the Kingdom. The event has evolved into a fixture on the regional arts calendar, showcasing Saudi and international artists while providing young creatives with a professional platform. This aligns with broader national investments in the cultural economy, including the establishment of institutions and initiatives that create career pathways for artists, curators, and cultural entrepreneurs. Culture, in this context, is not a side project — it is an economic sector and a source of national identity.

International and Regional Impact

How is Misk translating domestic success into international presence? During 2025, the foundation continued to strengthen its global footprint through high-profile partnerships and participation in major international gatherings. These included engagement at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the launch of the third edition of the Global Youth Index, and participation in Anime Japan 2025 in Tokyo. Each of these activities serves a distinct purpose: Davos places Saudi youth perspectives within the global economic conversation; the Global Youth Index provides a data-driven tool for measuring and comparing youth development outcomes; and Anime Japan opens doors for Saudi creative talent in one of the world’s most dynamic content markets.

The Global Youth Index is particularly significant as a knowledge product. By launching its third edition, Misk contributes to a growing body of international research on how countries can better support young people through education, employment, health, and civic participation. For a non-profit foundation to produce a recurring global index is a notable achievement — it signals that Saudi Arabia is not only investing in its own youth but also contributing to the global understanding of youth development. Participation in Anime Japan 2025 in Tokyo reflects the foundation’s engagement with creative industries and popular culture, areas where Saudi youth are increasingly active as creators and consumers.

Regionally, Misk’s work supports the broader Gulf trend of prioritizing human capital as a pillar of economic diversification. As Saudi Arabia reduces its historical dependence on hydrocarbons, the productivity and creativity of its young workforce become ever more important. Misk’s programs help bridge the gap between education and employment, giving young Saudis practical experience, networks, and confidence. For international partners — whether universities, corporations, or cultural institutions — Misk offers a trusted channel for collaboration with the Kingdom’s rising generation.

Economic and Strategic Significance

Why should economists and business leaders pay attention to youth-focused philanthropy in Saudi Arabia? Because human capital is the foundation of every diversified economy. The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda sets ambitious targets for employment, entrepreneurship, and private-sector growth, and none of those targets can be met without a skilled, motivated, and globally connected young population. Misk’s reported reach of more than 524,000 beneficiaries in a single year represents a meaningful contribution to that national effort, complementing government programs and private-sector training initiatives.

The partnership with London Business School is emblematic of the strategic approach: rather than building every capability from scratch, Saudi institutions are partnering with world-class organizations to accelerate learning and transfer best practices. This model of international collaboration is increasingly common across the Kingdom’s development landscape, from education to healthcare to technology. For LBS, the agreement offers access to a dynamic pool of emerging leaders in one of the world’s fastest-changing economies. For Saudi Arabia, it provides a direct pipeline of leadership development aligned with national priorities.

The entrepreneurship and culture tracks of Misk’s work also carry economic weight. Startups create jobs and diversify revenue streams; cultural industries generate tourism, exports, and soft power. By supporting both, Misk contributes to a more resilient and varied Saudi economy. The foundation’s activities also complement major national projects and giga-projects that are creating new demand for creative professionals, event managers, digital specialists, and entrepreneurs — roles that Misk’s programs are designed to fill.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does Misk’s 2025 record connect to the Kingdom’s long-term vision? Saudi Vision 2030, launched in 2016, is built on three pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. Misk’s programs touch all three. Leadership and skills development strengthen the ambitious nation; entrepreneurship and cultural investment fuel a thriving economy; and youth engagement in arts, dialogue, and community building enriches a vibrant society. The foundation’s work is therefore not peripheral to Vision 2030 — it is woven into its fabric.

The emphasis on international partnerships and global forums further supports Vision 2030’s goal of positioning Saudi Arabia as a pivotal player in global affairs. By sending young Saudis to Davos, Tokyo, and other international stages, Misk helps project a modern, forward-looking image of the Kingdom while giving its youth firsthand exposure to global networks and ideas. As Saudi Arabia continues its transformation, the foundation’s investment in young people will remain a critical driver of progress — building not only individual careers but also the national capabilities that will define the Kingdom’s next chapter.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation (Misk)?

A1. Misk is a Saudi non-profit foundation dedicated to empowering youth through leadership development, skills training, entrepreneurship, culture, and the arts. It supports Saudi Vision 2030 objectives and invests in human capital as a key driver of national development.

Q2. Why did Misk highlight its achievements on International Youth Day?

A2. International Youth Day is a global occasion to recognize young people’s contributions. Misk used the occasion to showcase its 2025 milestones and reaffirm its commitment to building youth capabilities in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Q3. How many beneficiaries did Misk reach in 2025?

A3. According to official figures released via the Saudi Press Agency, Misk’s programs and entities benefited more than 524,000 people during 2025, reflecting the foundation’s broad reach across multiple tracks.

Q4. What was the Misk Global Forum’s ninth edition like?

A4. The ninth Misk Global Forum featured 1,461 speakers and attracted 16,583 visitors in person and virtually. It serves as a platform for dialogue among youth, entrepreneurs, and global leaders.

Q5. How many visitors attended Misk Art Week?

A5. The ninth edition of Misk Art Week attracted more than 45,000 visitors, reinforcing its role as a major cultural event that showcases Saudi and international artistic talent.

Q6. What is the significance of the MoU with London Business School?

A6. The strategic memorandum of understanding with London Business School aims to empower leadership talent, giving young Saudis access to world-class business education and international networks aligned with Vision 2030 goals.

Q7. What international events did Misk participate in during 2025?

A7. Misk participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos, launched the third edition of the Global Youth Index, and took part in Anime Japan 2025 in Tokyo, strengthening its international presence.

Q8. What is the Global Youth Index?

A8. The Global Youth Index is a knowledge product that measures youth development outcomes across countries. Its third edition, launched by Misk, contributes to international research on supporting young people.

Q9. Why is youth empowerment important for Saudi Arabia?

A9. Roughly two-thirds of Saudi Arabia’s population is under 35. Empowering youth is essential for economic diversification, innovation, and achieving Vision 2030’s goals of a vibrant society and thriving economy.

Q10. How does Misk support entrepreneurship?

A10. Misk offers programs that help young Saudis turn ideas into viable businesses, providing training, mentorship, and access to networks that foster startup growth and job creation.

Q11. What role does culture play in Misk’s mission?

A11. Culture is a core pillar. Through Misk Art Week and other initiatives, the foundation nurtures creative expression, supports artists, and contributes to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s cultural economy.

Q12. How does Misk align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A12. Misk’s programs support all three Vision 2030 pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. Its investments in youth capabilities directly advance the Kingdom’s human capital goals.

Q13. What is the significance of Misk’s participation in Anime Japan?

A13. Participation in Anime Japan 2025 in Tokyo reflects Misk’s engagement with creative industries and popular culture, opening doors for Saudi talent in global content markets.

Q14. How does Misk measure its impact?

A14. Misk tracks performance indicators such as beneficiary numbers, event attendance, speaker participation, and partnership outcomes. These metrics help assess the scale and effectiveness of its programs.

Q15. Who leads Misk?

A15. Misk is associated with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, whose vision for youth empowerment underpins the foundation’s mission.

Q16. What types of programs does Misk offer?

A16. Misk offers leadership development, skills training, entrepreneurship support, and cultural and artistic programs, all designed to help young people contribute to national development.

Q17. Why are international partnerships important for Misk?

A17. Partnerships with institutions like London Business School and participation in global forums allow Misk to access best practices, build networks, and showcase Saudi talent on the world stage.

Q18. How does Misk support Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification?

A18. By developing skilled workers, supporting startups, and growing cultural industries, Misk helps reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and builds a more resilient, varied economy.

Q19. What can international observers learn from Misk’s model?

A19. Misk demonstrates how a national foundation can combine domestic programs with global partnerships to accelerate youth development, offering a replicable model for human capital investment.

Q20. What is next for Misk?

A20. Misk is expected to continue expanding its programs, partnerships, and international presence, building on its 2025 achievements to further empower Saudi youth in line with Vision 2030.

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