On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (KFCRIS) organized a workshop exploring how Saudi Arabia is solidifying its position as a regional leader, balancing political influence with developmental impact in a shifting world. The workshop shed light on the Kingdom’s role in advancing regional cooperation, through well-crafted research papers presented by young scholars with deep analytical insight. Participants emphasized that Saudi Arabia is no longer just a powerful actor—but a guiding reference point that shapes consensus and leads with vision and wisdom. The papers ranged from theoretical reflections on leadership to practical case studies of Saudi presence in security, economic, and diplomatic arenas. The workshop highlighted the Kingdom’s transformation into a reference power, harmonizing political initiative with symbolic and spiritual legitimacy in the Arab and Islamic spheres.