Riyadh Economic Forum to examine legislative impact on sustainable development

The 12th session of the Riyadh Economic Forum, scheduled for October 12-14, 2026, will feature a specialized study titled "Measuring the Impact of Legislation and Public Policies and Their Role in Achieving Sustainable Development in Saudi Arabia."

The study aims to advance the development of legislation, policies, and procedures in the Kingdom, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which emphasizes economic growth, quality of life, and environmental sustainability.

It reviews the role of legislation in guiding economic, social, and environmental development, and highlights the importance of enhancing Saudi Arabia’s ability to achieve its sustainable development objectives and improve its performance in relevant international indicators.

The study focuses on enabling decision-makers to assess the real impact of legislation in areas such as economic growth, job creation, service quality, social justice, and environmental protection. It also aims to reinforce transparency and accountability, and to build an institutional culture based on evaluating the effectiveness of legislation and policies according to their outcomes.

Advanced methodologies and implementation challenges

The study stresses the importance of adopting advanced methodologies to measure the impact of legislation and public policies before and after their implementation, with the goal of increasing efficiency and minimizing unintended effects. It also supports evidence-based decision-making and the promotion of transparency and good governance.

It highlights key challenges facing the application of impact assessment practices in the Kingdom, most notably the limited methodological integration between measurement tools.

The forum’s discussions on the study are expected to yield practical recommendations and initiatives that will enhance the efficiency of the legislative and public policy system, supporting its role in achieving sustainable development across economic, social, and environmental dimensions, and strengthening the competitiveness of the national economy as part of the comprehensive transformation under Vision 2030.