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Communications Minister: Saudi Arabia Model of Int'l Cooperation in Bridging Social and AI Gaps

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha speaks at the panel session on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha speaks at the panel session on Monday. (SPA)
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Communications Minister: Saudi Arabia Model of Int'l Cooperation in Bridging Social and AI Gaps

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha speaks at the panel session on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha speaks at the panel session on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha said on Monday the Kingdom, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, presents a model of international cooperation to bridge social, economic and AI gaps.

Alswaha highlighted the Kingdom's efforts, in collaboration with the UN’s International Telecommunication Union, to conduct a study on how to bridge the digital divide, in view of the fact that 2.6 billion people lack access to digital solutions.

He made his remarks at a panel session at the Summit of the Future held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Kingdom launched the virtual hospital as a pioneering model in healthcare, and performed numerous specialized surgeries, including open-heart operations on patients in various countries, Alswaha continued.

The Kingdom is proud of the growth of its digital economy; it had proposed the establishment of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) to bridge gaps and serve over 800 million people, he added.

This can be done by providing digital platforms and a unified digital market to foster innovative and entrepreneurial models in healthcare, education, and business, thus improving efficiency and helping the digital economy grow, he said.

Through its membership in the AI Advisory Body, led by the UN secretary-general, Saudi Arabia is contributing to bridging social, economic and AI gaps, shaping the future of humanity and empowering individuals, stressed Alswaha.

The Kingdom, he added, presented seven recommendations, among which, to establish an independent international scientific committee focused on AI, launch a multi-government dialogue on AI governance involving stakeholders, create a platform for sharing standards and experience related to AI, and building a global network for capacity development.

"To boost joint efforts and exchange experience, the Kingdom is proud to announce its framework for AI governance in partnership with the UN, the establishment of the International Center for Artificial Intelligence Research and Ethics (ICAIRE) in partnership with UNESCO, and the launching of the AI Readiness Framework in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union," the minister said.

"As we celebrate today the launch of the Pact for the Future, we must unite in recognizing that we have only one option: a comprehensive AI that empowers humanity and ensures that no one is left behind in keeping pace with the world," he said.

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Gulf

Saudi Support for Inclusive Southern Dialogue Without Monopoly or Exclusion

Caption: Saudi Arabia seeks comprehensive solutions for southern Yemenis through the forthcoming dialogue (Reuters).
Caption: Saudi Arabia seeks comprehensive solutions for southern Yemenis through the forthcoming dialogue (Reuters).
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Saudi Support for Inclusive Southern Dialogue Without Monopoly or Exclusion

Caption: Saudi Arabia seeks comprehensive solutions for southern Yemenis through the forthcoming dialogue (Reuters).
Caption: Saudi Arabia seeks comprehensive solutions for southern Yemenis through the forthcoming dialogue (Reuters).

Riyadh has hosted the Southern Consultative Meeting as a prelude to a comprehensive Southern Dialogue Conference, signaling the return of southern Yemen as a core issue in the country’s peace process. The meeting brought together a broad range of southern leaders and groups, including advocates of restoring the state that existed in southern and eastern Yemen before the 1990 unification with the north.

The consultative talks were attended by Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Vice President Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami, who read the final communiqué.

Saudi sponsorship reflects a shift in the Kingdom’s role from primarily military support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government to that of a key political sponsor of a comprehensive settlement.

The communiqué underscored this approach, stressing that Saudi Arabia “does not adopt a hostile position toward any southern option,” provided it is the outcome of an inclusive, non-exclusive intra-dialogue.

Beyond politics, Saudi backing extended to urgent economic measures, including the allocation of SAR 1.9 billion to support the economy and ensure payment of salaries for civil servants and military personnel. Observers say these steps give Saudi mediation tangible credibility and directly link economic stability with the success of the political process.

Criticism of External Interference

The final statement, and reactions surrounding it, carried pointed — if indirect — criticism of the United Arab Emirates.

Analysts accuse Abu Dhabi of deepening southern divisions by backing specific factions, particularly those previously led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, former head of the dissolved Southern Transitional Council, who reportedly moved to Abu Dhabi after refusing to join the Riyadh-sponsored dialogue.

This contrast casts Riyadh as an alternative to what critics describe as “chaotic” Emirati interference, emphasizing inclusive dialogue among southerners and support for state institutions as part of a pathway toward broader Yemeni stability.

Southern visions remain diverse. Some leaders seek secession and restoration of the pre-1990 state, others favor a federal Yemen with self-governing regions, while additional voices propose alternative arrangements they see as fairer and less centralized. These differing perspectives place Saudi Arabia in the role of mediator seeking to unify southerners, while Abu Dhabi is increasingly portrayed by critics as a force fueling fragmentation.

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi has previously called on the UAE to withdraw militarily from Yemen and halt interference in internal affairs, accusing it of backing unilateral moves to impose control by force over Hadramout and Al-Mahra.

Internal Reckoning and a Historic Chance

The consultative meeting also highlighted internal challenges that have weakened the southern cause. Participants rejected any monopoly over representation or attempts to reduce the issue to a single leader or group. The statement distinguished between the legitimacy of the southern cause as a political and rights-based demand and the harmful practices of some leaders accused of exploiting it for regional agendas or corruption.

This self-criticism, particularly from figures once associated with the Transitional Council, suggests a desire to correct course and rebuild credibility with the southern public and the international community. Calls for popular support “with awareness and responsibility” aim to restore grassroots legitimacy and prevent the manipulation of protests for narrow interests.

The communiqué described the upcoming comprehensive Southern Dialogue Conference as a “rare historic opportunity,” enabled by Saudi sponsorship and a growing southern consensus on dialogue as the only safe path forward.

Regionally and internationally, resolving the southern issue is increasingly seen as a key gateway to a comprehensive peace in Yemen. However, success will depend on overcoming deep internal divisions and shielding the process from destabilizing interference.

Gulf

GCC Chief Welcomes Syrian Government's Agreement with SDF

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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GCC Chief Welcomes Syrian Government's Agreement with SDF

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi welcomed the new agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi welcomed the announcement by Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa regarding a new agreement with the SDF and the provisions it includes that contribute to strengthening and maintaining security and stability in Syria.

He emphasized that the final communiqué issued by the 46th session of the Supreme Council of the leaders of the GCC states stresses the importance of respecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria, noting that Syria’s security and stability are a fundamental pillar of regional security and stability.

Gulf

Saudi FM Holds Phone Calls with US Envoy for Syria, Omani Counterpart, US Secretary of State

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
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Saudi FM Holds Phone Calls with US Envoy for Syria, Omani Counterpart, US Secretary of State

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone call on Monday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

During the call, they discussed the latest developments in Syria. 

The Saudi minister also spoke by telephone with his Omani counterpart, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. They exchanged views on the latest regional developments and the efforts being made in this regard. 

Earlier on Monday, the Saudi minister held a phone call with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They discussed the latest regional developments.