Makkah deputy governor opens sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia opened the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah on Sunday, bringing together officials, service providers and pilgrims’ affairs offices from more than 150 countries. The event unveiled new agreements, digital tools and infrastructure plans aimed at improving Hajj services and readiness for future seasons.

Why it matters: - The conference is a major coordination platform for Hajj planning, service upgrades and partnership-building ahead of future pilgrim seasons. - The event highlights Saudi Arabia’s push to expand digital services, improve logistics and raise service quality for pilgrims coming from around the world. - The opening also produced new agreements tied to education, tourism, aviation, research, charitable work and transport infrastructure.

What happened: - On Sunday, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz opened the sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah organized the event at Jeddah Superdome under the theme “From Makkah to the World.” - The opening drew princes, ministers, heads of Hajj delegations and representatives of pilgrims’ affairs offices from across the Islamic world. - Prince Saud toured the exhibition and reviewed technologies, enrichment initiatives and smart solutions meant to serve pilgrims. - Prince Saud also visited pavilions from government, private and nonprofit participants. - Prince Saud delivered the king’s speech welcoming attendees to Saudi Arabia and underscoring continued efforts to serve the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims. - Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah also spoke at the opening and reviewed major changes in the Hajj and Umrah system.

The details: - The king’s speech said Saudi Arabia is prioritizing continuous development of the Hajj system, better service quality, new technologies and stronger coordination among government agencies. - The speech said these efforts are meant to help pilgrims from departure in their home countries through safe return. - The speech said the continued success of Hajj seasons reflects the readiness and efficiency of the Hajj system. - The speech described the conference and exhibition as a key enabler of that success through cooperation, coordination, agreements and readiness planning. - Al-Rabiah said the ministry increased service providers for international pilgrims to 34 companies. - Al-Rabiah said direct contracting arrangements expanded in 58 countries. - Al-Rabiah said 75 additional nations can now send pilgrims through the Direct Hajj Program. - Al-Rabiah said early preparations have begun for the 1448 AH Hajj season with pilgrims’ affairs offices in 78 countries. - Al-Rabiah said the ministry improved services in the Holy Sites and transportation. - Al-Rabiah said digital transformation efforts have lifted users of the Nusuk platform and app to more than 70 million. - Al-Rabiah said pilgrim satisfaction reached 93% during the 1447 AH Hajj season. - Al-Rabiah said the conference has become a global platform for early preparation, partnerships, contract finalization and service improvement. - The opening ceremony included an address on behalf of heads of pilgrims’ affairs offices by Indonesian Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Mochamad Irfan Yusuf. - The ceremony also launched the Awareness and Training Forum and a unified portal for workers. - Prince Saud witnessed the signing of eight agreements and memoranda of understanding. - One agreement lets the Ministry of Education help provide personnel to serve pilgrims. - Another agreement with the Ministry of Tourism aims to improve accommodation quality in Makkah and Madinah. - An MoU with Saudia Airlines will establish and operate a pilgrim travel terminal in Makkah. - An agreement with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology will support talent development, research and innovation in pilgrim services. - An MoU between the King Abdulaziz Endowment for Al-Ain Al-Azizia and the Haji and Mu’tamer’s Gift Charitable Association will improve the experience of visitors and worshippers at the Two Holy Mosques and the Holy Sites. - A strategic partnership among the General Authority for Awqaf, the Pilgrim Experience Program and the Nusuk Humanitarian Foundation will establish and support initiatives serving pilgrims. - Another partnership between the General Authority for Awqaf and the Nusuk Humanitarian Foundation will establish and operate development and humanitarian projects for pilgrims. - The eighth agreement covers the Wasel Al-Haram project, signed between the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, through the General Transport Center, and two private-sector consortia. - The Wasel Al-Haram project is valued at SAR5.6 billion and aims to develop stations and routes to and from the Grand Mosque. - The project also aims to improve service quality in cooperation with the private sector. - Prince Saud honored entities and partners participating in the conference at the end of the ceremony.

Between the lines: - The size and mix of participants show Saudi Arabia is treating Hajj operations as a broad ecosystem, not just a religious event. - The emphasis on digital tools, early contracting and international participation suggests the Kingdom is trying to reduce friction before pilgrims arrive. - The transport deal and service-provider expansion point to a stronger role for private-sector and cross-agency coordination in Hajj logistics.

What's next: - The sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition will run for four days. - More than 520 government, private and nonprofit entities are taking part. - Organizers say attendance and participation come from more than 150 countries. - The event spans more than 67,000 square meters and is set up to support early Hajj preparation, partnerships and service improvements. - Further agreements, demonstrations and coordination efforts are likely as the conference continues.