What was GOSI’s motivation for hosting the Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific?

Through hosting the Regional Forum, we aimed to showcase GOSI’s leadership in providing innovative social insurance services. The forum highlighted GOSI’s role in empowering various generations through pioneering insurance products that enhance social protection for individuals.

The RSSF was also an invaluable opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise among participating countries and leverage the latest advancements in social security throughout Asia and the Pacific. Social security systems, like any other frameworks, require continuous review and development to meet the evolving needs of societies, retirees, and future generations, especially since the world is witnessing a demographic change that varies between countries. This impacts job opportunities, wages, health insurance and other factors, which requires us to continue cooperation to provide sustainable, fair and comprehensive insurance protection systems.

The Regional Forum additionally marked a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia, highlighting the Kingdom's transformative journey under Saudi Vision 2030, which demonstrates advancements in financial sustainability, comprehensive digital transformation, and public-private collaboration in developing modern insurance tool. The Kingdom has achieved in 3 key pillars: Global leadership in digital transformation, with digital transformation a cornerstone of Vision 2030; excellence in government digital services; and enabling the ecosystem.

What was your experience from hosting the Regional Forum?

We are proud and honoured to have hosted the Regional Forum in Riyadh, an event that brought together around 450 participants to our rapidly growing Saudi capital at a time of great transformation in the Kingdom. The forum represented a landmark opportunity for peer-to-peer sharing, learning and networking, enabling participants to forge links with other leaders in social security.

At the forum we presented a series of white papers that highlighted our successes in the digital transformation of insurance protection. These white papers emphasized the development of a strategic plan to enhance proactive services and foster a customer-centric culture through cutting‑edge technology.

Our exhibition showcased innovative insurance products and solutions that we developed to meet individual and corporate needs, including our smart anti-fraud tool "Kashef," our streamlined medical services, the digital human assistant "Ameen," and our virtual visit service.

We were delighted to be recognized with certificates in the ISSA Good Practice Award competition, designed to encourage the exchange of innovative solutions and developmental initiatives among global insurance protection institutions. Through these awards, we seek to collaborate with institutions worldwide by sharing expertise, combining skills, and aligning efforts to create more inclusive and sustainable social security systems.

How does the Regional Forum fit into the ambitions for social security in Saudi Arabia?

The Kingdom’s journey has been extraordinary, with achievements that not only elevate our nation, but also inspire global collaboration and innovation. Our social protection framework is today ensuring inclusivity, security, and well-being for every individual in the Kingdom.

More than four million individuals are covered under pensions, guaranteeing financial security in retirement, and 12 million workers are insured for work-related injuries. Saudi Arabia supports 4.7 million domestic workers through mandatory insurance policies Every resident in Saudi Arabia — 32 million people — enjoys healthcare coverage.

The insurance sector in Saudi Arabia is today contributing to the nation’s economic transformation in areas beyond social protection. These areas include securing giga-project assets, empowering home ownership, and protecting tourists and pilgrims visiting the Kingdom.

Going forward, GOSI is embarking on a new phase where we aim to create greater value still for our clients at every critical juncture at every step of life, focusing on three key areas: enhancing financial wellbeing, supporting career growth and promoting physical well-being.

What are your key take-aways from the Regional Forum?  

The insights and ideas discussed at the forum will shape the future of social protection systems in our region and beyond, aligning with global economic growth.

The forum’s outcomes will also help in unifying visions and developing a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable social protection systems, which would contribute to achieving stability and well-being for the peoples of the region.

This is a moment for all of us to lead boldly, act decisively, and create systems that will serve not just today but the generations to come. Together, we must build a future of inclusion, empowerment, and excellence.