RIYADH: The Korea-Saudi Friendship Society (KSFS) outlined recently its activities to contribute to the mutual exchanges between the Kingdom and the Asian country.
Dr. Abdullah Lee, chairman of the society, told Arab News from Seoul that KSFS has held seminars involving the Kingdom and supported the application process for visa.
“We feel responsible to further encourage active exchanges between the two countries and KSFS is proud to participate in such initiatives,” he said.
He said that KSFS was established in 2004 with the support of many Saudis and is registered with the Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Lee added that the KSFS also initiated the publication of the “Korea-Saudi Newsletter” with the approval of the Saudi government starting 2010 when the G20 Seoul Summit was held.
He said “this bi-monthly newsletter is being distributed through on-line website and e-mailed to more than 4,000 subscribers and as of now it has printed its 36th edition.”
He added that through the media, KSFS was able to disseminate information and insights regarding business prospects in Korea.
Lee said that through its homepage (www.koreasaudi.com), KSFS also offers a variety of background knowledge on government policies, visa application, and business practices.
He added that more than 1,000 visitors visit KSFS homepage per day and more than 2.7 million viewers visited the site since 2007.
Lee said that in 2014, KSFS successfully celebrated the 10th anniversary of its establishment at a local hotel in Seoul with support from the Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the first Korea-Saudi Business Forum was also held.
He said that Saudi ministers, high-level officials and more than 200 entrepreneurs participated in the forum and had meetings with various Korean companies.
Lee, who worked in the Kingdom as diplomat for many years, also expressed his hope that the next forum will be held in the Saudi capital.
KSFS cites role in Saudi-Korean mutual exchanges
KSFS cites role in Saudi-Korean mutual exchanges
Saudi Arabia advances in Universal Health Coverage index
- Life expectancy in Kingdom rose from 74 in 2016 to 79.7 in 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has made notable progress in the Universal Health Coverage Service Coverage Index, reinforcing its position among leading nations in global health indicators, according to the latest data released by the World Health Organization and the World Bank.
The Kingdom recorded a score of 83 points in the latest UHC update, marking a nine-point increase within two years and placing Saudi Arabia among countries classified as having high-level health service coverage.
The steady rise reflects sustained improvements over the past two decades and underscores the impact of the Kingdom’s Health Sector Transformation Program under Saudi Vision 2030.
The UHC Service Coverage Index is one of the internationally recognized Sustainable Development Goal indicators and measures access to essential health services across key areas, including preventive care, treatment, and system capacity.
Progress in the index is closely linked to broader development outcomes such as improved quality of life, reduced disease burden, and enhanced social well-being.
Saudi Arabia’s advancement has been driven by a strategic focus on preventive healthcare, strengthened primary care services, expanded early screening programs, and increased health system readiness.
The transformation has also been supported by rapid digitalization, including platforms such as Sehhaty and the Seha Virtual Hospital, which have expanded access to care and improved service efficiency nationwide.
These reforms have translated into measurable public health gains. Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rose from 74 years in 2016 to about 79.7 in 2025, bringing the Kingdom close to its Vision 2030 target of 80 years and highlighting the effectiveness of preventive and treatment programs.
Health Minister Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel said the progress reflected the tangible outcomes of Vision 2030 and sustained leadership support.
He said: “The improvements we see today in international health indicators demonstrate the real impact of the Kingdom’s health transformation, which prioritizes prevention, primary care empowerment, and digital health solutions. Raising life expectancy to 79.7 years is the result of an integrated effort focused on improving people’s health and quality of life.”
Saudi Arabia’s progress in the UHC index further strengthens its standing among G20 countries and underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to building a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable health system, with people at the center of national development.
