Saudi Crown Prince, British Foreign Secretary Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, British Foreign Secretary Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held talks on Wednesday in Riyadh with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, focusing on regional developments and efforts to achieve security and stability.

The two sides reviewed aspects of bilateral relations and means to strengthen and develop areas of joint cooperation.

The meeting was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, Minister of State and National Security Advisor, in addition to the British minister of Middle Eastern Affairs, Tariq Ahmad, and Neil Crompton, British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Cameron also met in Riyadh with the head of Yemen’s Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, who called on the international community to adopt stricter punitive measures against the Houthis.

He noted that those must include working for the implementation of international resolutions and supporting the legitimate government to restore the institutions, liberate Al-Hodeidah and prevent the flow of Iranian weapons to the rebel group.

Prior to his visit to Riyadh, Cameron held talks in Muscat with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. In media statements, he noted that his country and Oman were working together to promote stability in the Middle East and alleviate tension.



Saudi Arabia Tops Edelman’s Trust Index for National Leadership

Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia Tops Edelman’s Trust Index for National Leadership

Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has topped the global trust rankings in Edelman’s 2024 Annual Trust Barometer. The report from the global consulting and PR firm shows that 86% of Saudi citizens trust their government to make key decisions for the country’s goals.
The 24th edition of the report also finds that 78% of respondents trust the Saudi business sector, and over 80% have strong confidence in the nation's leaders and scientists to manage innovation.
Despite global worries about new regulations and tech trends, Saudi Arabia scored a high trust level of 56%, the highest among the 28 countries surveyed.
The Kingdom also leads in trust regarding AI regulations, surpassing the US at 24%, France and Japan at 23%, the UK at 18%, Germany at 27%, and South Korea at 28%.
The report highlights trust in clean energy and AI as crucial for "Saudi Vision 2030". The Kingdom has a 68% trust level in regulated AI technologies, well above the global average of 50%.
Arent Jan Hesselink, CEO of Edelman Europe, Middle East, and Africa, noted that innovation is key to Saudi Arabia’s progress, but stressed the importance of clear communication and transparency to build trust in managing new technologies.
“Innovation is the protagonist of our annual Trust Barometer study this year. The public needs assurance that emerging technologies from business have been evaluated by scientists and effectively regulated by the government,” said Hesselink.
“People need to understand and feel in control over the impact of technological innovations in their lives,” he added.
Elie Azzi, General Manager at Edelman KSA, said: “Guided by high levels of public trust and the Kingdom’s solid confidence in government and their leadership in the transformative objectives of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, there is a real opportunity to demonstrate innovation's deep impact on both the economy and society. It's important for the Kingdom to continue to demonstrate through communications and storytelling that innovation will bring us a better future.”
“Saudi Arabia's proactive approach to innovation and a strong regulatory framework have resulted in a high level of trust in new technologies. This trust is crucial as the Kingdom advances towards its Vision 2030 and demonstrates how effective management and clear communication of technological advancements can result in widespread public support that drives economic growth”, Azzi commented.
The annual Edelman Trust Barometer surveyed 32,000 people across 28 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Japan, Ireland, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia, Germany, Australia, the US, Singapore, China, Argentina, Malaysia, Kenya, France, Brazil, South Africa, Thailand, Spain, Colombia, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, and India.
The report examines trust in business leaders, media, governments, and NGOs, guiding dialogue and priorities for the year ahead.