RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development has launched its latest pioneering initiative, “Priority For Them,” a move to aid accessibility to government services and departments for people with special needs.
It will target four segments of society — the elderly, disabled, pregnant women and new mothers — granting them priority in waiting areas and queues, which will ensure a better delivery of service wherever they go.
The initiative is being publicized through social media, having already gone viral on Twitter, and comes as part of the ministry’s social initiatives program “Building and Empowering.”
“‘Priority For Them’ is a community awareness initiative that does not require significant financial resources to implement it. This initiative aims at giving priority to the elderly, those with disabilities, pregnant women, and those carrying a baby, enabling them to cross the crowded paths, sit in waiting areas, and to obtain requested services as soon as possible,” Nourah Fahad Al-Jebali, a ministry consultant, told Arab News.
According to figures from the General Authority of Statistics in 2018, the plans could provide fast-tracks for over 5 million Saudi citizens.
The initiative comes in line with the National Transformation Program (NTP), and as part of the Vision 2030 objectives to enhance and develop all social services provided in the Kingdom. The ministry has pledged to raise public awareness of people’s rights as a result, as well as implement new ones for those considered more vulnerable.
The governor of Al-Baha, Dr. Hussam bin Saud, launched the “Priority For Them” initiative and also signed several strategic partnerships and hiring agreements for disabled citizens as part of the program.
Al-Jebali said: “The expected impact of this initiative is to facilitate transactions and, thus, increase the quality of services provided to achieve community integration. Empowering people with disabilities leads us to a comprehensive and harmonious society in which people with needs are productive and stable.”
Initiatives reinforcing community values were, she added, essential in order to influence upcoming generations standards of etiquette and charity.
Saudi ministry launches ‘Priority For Them’ access initiative
Saudi ministry launches ‘Priority For Them’ access initiative
- The initiative comes in line with the National Transformation Program (NTP), and as part of the Vision 2030 objectives to enhance and develop all social services provided in Saudi Arabia
Board of Grievances unveils judicial intelligence hackathon to foster innovation
- Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Board of Grievances has opened registration for the Judicial Intelligence Hackathon, the institution’s first competition seeking sustainable solutions that harness cutting-edge technology to improve the efficiency of judicial procedures, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Registration opens on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, and continues through Jan. 20, 2026, as part of efforts to cultivate talent and promote innovation in digital transformation and artificial intelligence in the judicial sector.
The board is calling on industry experts, experienced professionals, and university students to form teams of three to five members. Each team must be led by a Saudi citizen or academic staff member at least 18 years old.
Participants register via a dedicated portal on the board’s digital platform and must submit a preliminary proposal demonstrating practical and legal viability, incorporating advanced technology with appropriate quality standards, and showing innovation relevant to the board's operations with transformative impact and long-term sustainability.
Competition unfolds in two distinct tracks. The first addresses AI applications and creative solutions for administrative justice, tackling challenges such as minimizing procedural errors and offenses during virtual court proceedings and streamlining lawsuit filing classifications.
The second track emphasizes digital innovation enhancing user journeys, focusing on simplifying document submission processes when initiating lawsuits and developing accessibility solutions enabling seniors and people with disabilities to navigate board services more effectively.
Finalists are scheduled to be announced on Jan. 23, 2026, followed by virtual project discussion and presentation sessions on Jan. 28.
According to the SPA, this methodology for sourcing innovative concepts underscores the dedication of the board’s leadership to advance performance across judicial chambers and administrative divisions while pursuing strategic goals of refining administrative court litigation processes, expediting case resolutions, and establishing competitive leadership in the judicial arena.
