Person of the Year 2023: Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo is a big hit in Saudi Arabia (Image: ZAWYA)

If I were to summarise 2023 in a few words, on a personal level, I can describe the year as being very busy, ploughing through a never-ending to-do list with little sparks of fun in between. Somewhat most poignantly, I feel I have a clearer sense of what I want (and need) to do over the coming months. However, I also feel that I haven't moved forward as much as I would have liked, leaving this year as I started it. That being said, I sense a very productive and constructive 2024. When it comes to more global affairs, I suppose scenarios are pretty similar across the scale. Countries who were in conflict in January remain in that state to this day, world average temperatures continue to concern experts, and oppression and poverty in many nations show no signs of heading to the right direction.

But the lack of progression this year could open the door to potential for significant and intriguing changes over the coming 12 months. There are general elections in the UK, United States, Russia, Iran, the European Parliament, among other places. While it is generally expected that nothing unexpected will occur in Russia and Iran in terms of election outcomes, political corruption and renewed widespread sceptical attitudes towards their regimes, what I can predict is that by December 2024, we'll see leaderships from both nations change tact. We're seeing signs of this already; for example Iran has developed a more complex role and wider range of opinions surrounding the Israel/Gaza conflict - perhaps being conscious of the pressures its regime is facing from all corners - and that there is a growing sense that not all is okay in Russia, and people there are growing restless and looking away from the propaganda, as is in Iran. Cynics may be convinced that nothing will ever change in these countries, but quite honestly, I can't be that easily dismissive.

Events in the UK and US will be the most intriguing. As I write this, Joe Biden is keen to seek re-election as US President but so is Donald Trump, who is currently facing countless court battles and could even end up behind bars as he fights for White House residency. Usually at this time - 11 months before voters' head to the polls - we have some indication as who is more likely take the crown come November. I doubt we will even know who would be able to run for President by then... 

On the other side of the pond, if we are to believe in the polls, the Conservative Party could lose power it has held for 14 years to genuinely unknown territory in Keir Starmer's Labour Party. I say 'genuinely unknown' because very few of us have a clue what he plans to do. Either way, both of Britain's main parties will want to present themselves as the one who can ensure the UK is a global force once more.

Regardless of the outcomes of the elections mentioned above - the European Parliament included - there is one country that can hold the key to the successes of all of their fates, both diplomatically and economically. And that country isn't China, Russia or even the United States, but Saudi Arabia.

Yes, the country known to be rich in oil and home for super rich sheikhs. For a long time, world leaders have dismissed them for anything else - largely thanks to its poor human rights record, recent controversies such as the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, and its sense of nothing else to offer than dirty cash. It is a member of the G20 but not much else - rather much an outsider until it's called for something.

But this year, the Saudi authorities have put the money where their mouth is, and the mouths of every country and sector lead for that matter - in attempt to show the mainstream of their presence. Eyebrows were raised on the very first day of 2023 when Cristiano Ronaldo - arguably the world's most recognised and popular footballers ever - joined Al-Nassr, a team very few outside of Saudi Arabia had heard of prior to his arrival. Suddenly, other huge superstars wanted to join the Saudi Pro League, including Sadio Mane and Karim Benzema. Steven Gerrard is even a coach there. Only England's Premier League spent more money on players last summer. 

The authorities in Saudi Arabia are going above and beyond for any sport to being the marketable in the world. So much so, that the country is likely to host the men's 2034 FIFA World Cup and is a big player in other arenas, including hosting major boxing fights, its third ever Formula 1 Grand Prix, and its controversial LIV Golf is proven a big hit amongst top professional golfers.

Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia did what many described as the unthinkable and renew ties with Iran, after years of intense squabbling. Not only that, but they've reopened embassies, started visiting each other and are negotiating aviation deals so people can fly between the two nations directly; a complete transformation from previous times when they wouldn't be seen in the same room. It is also having its fingers on its pulse during the Israel/Gaza conflict by putting pressures on reluctant nations in calling for a ceasefire. It was also on the verge of signing an unprecedented diplomatic deal with Israel, but that is now on ice until the conflict shows signs of ending. It also held a significant key to a major environmental agreement at COP28, which at one point was on a knife-edge.

Saudi Arabia has had a huge year and should be recognised for trying to fill the gap that was, by default, taken up by Russia and China, who continue to lose credibility and influence amongst Western countries. This is why the country, as a whole, is my 'Person' of the Year, while TIME Magazine picked singing sensation Taylor Swift for taking control of her music and embarking on a worldwide tour that's breaking records. However impressive her achievements have been these past 12 months, to me, they are neither a surprise nor her actions are a major game changer if compared to Saudi Arabia's endless ambitions.

Certainly, it helps when money is no object, but if used as a genuine attempt to reduce tensions and conflict, I strongly encourage the splashing of the cash. If continued to be spent right, it has the capability of steering global affairs to directions we've not seen in years. I can't conclude without recognising that its influence has a long way to go in convincing many of its motives. Saudi Arabia has a long way to go in improving its human rights record - particularly for women, activists, migrants and LGBT+ communities - but I recognise the baby steps the country is making towards sustainable progress. Whether its authorities can keep this up or not, we're yet to see.

JSPrice Perception 'Person of the Year' - previous winners:

• 2022: Martin Lewis
• 2021: Jackie Weaver
• 2020: recurrent TV programmes
• 2019: Colleen Rooney and Dominic Grieve
• 2018: Declan Donnelly
• 2017: Meghan Markle
• 2016: Selection including Tim Peake