Boris Johnson: Mohammed bin Salman Is More Successful & Courageous Than Me
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday praised Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his political achievements, describing him as a courageous leader who has surpassed him in political success. Johnson’s remarks came during his keynote speech at the 2025 Saudi Media Forum, which is being held in Riyadh.
Addressing the Saudi audience, Johnson urged them to take pride in their nation’s accomplishments, saying, “Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has achieved greater political success than I have, and you are fortunate to have a leader with such remarkable courage.” His comments were reported by Russia Today.
Johnson, known for his candid style and often colorful speeches, added that he was hesitant to offer any advice to the Saudi Crown Prince, acknowledging the Kingdom’s growing regional and global influence under Prince Mohammed’s leadership. “I hesitate to give any guidance to His Royal Highness because he has been more politically successful than me. All I would say is to continue demonstrating the remarkable courage that has marked his leadership,” he said.
The Saudi Media Forum, now in its fourth edition, began on February 19 and will run until February 21 in the Saudi capital. The event is held under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Media Salman bin Yousef Al-Dosari and carries the theme “Media in a Shaping World.” The three-day forum has attracted widespread participation from the global media community, drawing around 200 prominent speakers, including media professionals, academics, policymakers, and industry experts.
The forum’s agenda includes discussions on the evolving media landscape, challenges facing traditional media outlets, the rise of digital platforms, and the role of technology in shaping news consumption. In addition to media executives, ministers, and government officials, the event also brings together decision-makers from regional and international media organizations, investors, and technology innovators.
Saudi Arabia has been making significant strides in expanding its media sector as part of broader efforts to diversify its economy under Vision 2030 — a comprehensive reform plan spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aimed at reducing the Kingdom’s dependence on oil, fostering investment, and modernizing various sectors, including entertainment and media.
Participants at the forum have highlighted the Kingdom’s ambitions to become a regional media hub, with ongoing investments in infrastructure, content creation, and digital media platforms. The discussions also underscored the importance of fostering cooperation between global media organizations to address the challenges of misinformation, technological disruptions, and changing audience behaviors.
Johnson’s appearance at the forum comes amid strengthening ties between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, particularly in trade, investment, and defense. His remarks were seen by some attendees as a nod to the Kingdom’s transformative policies and its growing role on the international stage.
The Saudi Media Forum is expected to conclude with a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing global media cooperation, addressing emerging trends, and supporting the sustainability of media organizations in an increasingly digital world.
