Saudi Arabia and Africa... Laying the Foundations for Continental Integration, Sustainable Future

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman delivers his speech at the opening of the summit (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman delivers his speech at the opening of the summit (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia and Africa... Laying the Foundations for Continental Integration, Sustainable Future

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman delivers his speech at the opening of the summit (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman delivers his speech at the opening of the summit (SPA)

The leaders of Saudi Arabia and African countries have affirmed their determination to develop cooperation and partnership and to lay the foundations for continental integration that charts a sustainable future for the countries and peoples of both regions.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the first Saudi-African summit in Riyadh on Friday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ development initiative in Africa, which seeks to implement development projects and programs in the continent with a value exceeding one billion dollars over a period of ten years.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged to pump more than $25 billion in new Saudi investments into various sectors, finance and secure $10 billion in exports, provide $5 billion in additional development financing to Africa until 2030, and increase the number of Saudi diplomatic missions in the continent to more than 40 embassies.

“The Kingdom and African countries are keen to enhance cooperation in a way that contributes to establishing security and peace in the region and the world,” the Saudi Crown Prince said.

Pointing to the war on Gaza, he stated: “We condemn the military aggression witnessed in the Gaza Strip, the targeting of civilians, and the continued violations of international humanitarian law by the Israeli occupation authority. Let us stress the need to stop this war and forced displacement, and create conditions for the return of stability and the achievement of peace.”

Prince Mohammed explained that the Kingdom and African countries support “all efforts aimed at achieving security and stability.”

He added: “In this regard, we welcome the resumption of the Jeddah talks with representatives of both sides of the crisis in Sudan, and we hope that the language of dialogue will be the basis for preserving the unity of the Republic of Sudan and the security of its people.”

The Crown Prince went on to say: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has provided more than $45 billion to support development and humanitarian projects in 54 African countries.”

He added that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has offered more than $450 million in aid in 46 African countries.

“We are determined to deepen relations of cooperation and partnership with African countries and develop areas of trade and integration,” Prince Mohammed said.

“From this standpoint, we are pleased to announce the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ development initiative in Africa, by launching development projects and programs with a value exceeding one billion dollars over a period of 10 years.”

For his part, Moussa Mahamat, Commissioner of the African Union, touched on the spiritual, historical, cultural, economic and commercial ties between Africa and Saudi Arabia, which he said were translated by bilateral relations between the Kingdom and a large number of members of the African Union.



Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Israel’s Ongoing Attack against Palestinians, Relief Agencies

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Categorical Rejection of Israel’s Ongoing Attack against Palestinians, Relief Agencies

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday its categorical rejection of the Israeli forces’ ongoing attacks against civilians and humanitarian and relief agencies.

It called on the international community to assume its responsibilities towards these violations against the Palestinian people.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The ministers were briefed on the telephone calls Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held with Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron.

They reviewed the talks held by senior Saudi officials with their counterparts from different countries, at bilateral and multilateral levels, with the aim of strengthening ties, intensifying efforts to open up new horizons in various fields and achieve aspired goals, and bolstering efforts exerted to tackle global challenges.

The cabinet tackled the outcome of the second meeting of the Saudi-French Ministerial Committee, and the efforts to strengthen cultural, tourism, and economic partnerships between AlUla and Paris, in view of the special relations between their countries and commitment to developing ties in all sectors.

The cabinet commended the outcome of the second meeting of the Ministerial Committee on Political, Security, Social, and Cultural Cooperation, established under the Saudi-India Strategic Partnership Council, which underscored the importance of coordination and cooperation on issues of common interest, particularly those related to economic development and international security and peace.

It reviewed the latest regional and international developments, focusing on the situation in the Palestinian territories.

The cabinet reiterated its concern over extremist Israeli statements about imposing sovereignty over the West Bank, and the construction and expansion of settlements.

These actions undermine peace efforts, threaten regional security and stability, and are a blatant violation of international laws and relevant UN resolutions, it warned.

Domestically, the cabinet hailed the support lent by King Salman to the current Riyadh Economic Forum, saying that the recommendations of the 11th session of the forum can be expected to give further impetus to the national economy and bolster the private sector's role in the Kingdom's comprehensive development.

The cabinet recognized the success of the "Cityscape Global 2024" exhibition held in Riyadh, which aligns with national goals and offers promising prospects to the real estate sector. The value of the transactions concluded at the exhibition surpassed SAR230 billion, with sales from local and international developers exceeding SAR20 billion. The exhibition attracted over 172,000 visitors, underscoring the success of the Kingdom's efforts to position itself as a global hub for exhibitions and conferences.

Moreover, the cabinet praised the outcomes of the "Jeddah Declaration", issued during the Fourth High-Level Ministerial Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance, commending the initiatives and mechanisms that bolster the global commitment to a multifaceted approach in tackling global health challenges and seeking solutions through research, development, and innovation.

The cabinet said the Fourth Edition of the Saudi Green Initiative Forum, set for December 3-4, will be geared toward expediting efforts aimed at fostering a more sustainable future. The initiative has had concrete positive impacts on climate and environmental initiatives, helping boost the total capacity of renewable energy sources to over four gigawatts, planting about 95 million trees, and translocating 1,660 endangered animals across the Kingdom.