Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, will host a meeting of the Global Alliance for Implementing the Two-State Solution on Wednesday and Thursday.
The event will bring together diplomats and representatives from various countries and organizations to discuss a clear timeline for establishing a Palestinian state and achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah will open the meeting with a welcoming speech, followed by comments from Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
In September, Saudi Arabia announced the creation of the Alliance on behalf of Arab and Islamic nations, along with European partners. The announcement was made during a ministerial meeting on the Palestinian issue held at the United Nations General Assembly.
The upcoming meeting in Riyadh, the first high-level follow-up gathering, aims to garner practical insights and present them to political leaders. It will outline proposed components under the coalition and initiate practical preparations.
Follow-up meetings are planned in Brussels, Cairo, Amman, Oslo, Ankara, and potentially other locations, focusing on specific elements needed to implement the two-state solution.
The Riyadh meeting aims to produce tangible results for communicating these discussions to political leaders and ensuring their implementation. It will establish a timeline for creating a Palestinian state and outline measures to uphold the two-state solution’s viability, including accountability under international law and the execution of relevant UN resolutions.
Sources indicate that by hosting this meeting, Saudi Arabia is collaborating closely with other coalition partners, including members of the joint Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation contact group focused on Gaza, along with the European Union and Norway.
Additionally, the Riyadh meeting will address the role of UNRWA as the main humanitarian organization in Gaza, crucial for the humanitarian response until the two-state solution is achieved.
At the United Nations General Assembly in September, Prince Faisal stressed that establishing an independent Palestinian state is a fundamental right essential for peace, not just a negotiable outcome.
He expressed gratitude to countries that have recently recognized Palestine and urged all nations to join the 149 countries that support its recognition.
“The two-state solution is the best way to end the cycle of conflict and suffering, allowing the region, including Israel, to enjoy security and coexistence,” he stated.
Prince Faisal concluded his speech by announcing the launch of the Alliance.
He invited nations to join this initiative, assuring that Saudi Arabia will work hard to create a reliable path to fair and lasting peace, and expressed eagerness to hear contributions that will help end the conflict and promote international peace and security.
