Saudi Shura Council Vice Speaker Takes Part in G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit in Brazil

Dr. Al-Salami also discussed the Kingdom's approach to addressing poverty and hunger at the national and international levels - SPA
Dr. Al-Salami also discussed the Kingdom's approach to addressing poverty and hunger at the national and international levels - SPA
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Saudi Shura Council Vice Speaker Takes Part in G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit in Brazil

Dr. Al-Salami also discussed the Kingdom's approach to addressing poverty and hunger at the national and international levels - SPA
Dr. Al-Salami also discussed the Kingdom's approach to addressing poverty and hunger at the national and international levels - SPA

A Saudi Shura Council delegation, led by Vice Speaker of the Shura Council Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Salami, has participated in the 10th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) inaugurated in Brasilia by the National Congress of Brazil in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union under the theme "Parliaments for a Just World and a Sustainable Planet."
During the opening session attended by the speakers of the G20 parliaments and other invited countries, the vice speaker of the Shura Council expressed his sincere gratitude to the Brazilian parliament for its hospitality and warm reception.

He also expressed his high appreciation for Brazil's launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty during the previous G20 summit, SPA reported.
He emphasized that the Kingdom became a member of the global alliance to combat hunger and poverty in May 2024 and will be hosting the UN Conference on Land and Drought in Riyadh in December.
Dr. Al-Salami also discussed the Kingdom's approach to addressing poverty and hunger at the national and international levels. He noted that the government has issued a series of resolutions on poverty and hunger, while the Shura Council has enacted legislation to combat poverty, hunger, and inequality. The legislation creates social safety through government support programs, social insurance programs, labor market support, the establishment of a Social Development Bank, and the contribution of charities.
He asserted that the Kingdom has been committed to sponsoring and promoting charitable and humanitarian work. He cited the approximately $133 billion in development assistance provided from 1975 to 2024, which was distributed to 171 countries worldwide and implemented over 7,090 humanitarian, relief, and development projects. He added that the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) is currently engaged in over 1,700 projects to address hunger and poverty worldwide.
In terms of the Kingdom's endeavors to address inequality, he said that Saudi Arabia has ratified the Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100) and the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. 111). He confirmed that the percentage of women's participation in the labor market increased to 37% in 2023, surpassing the percentage anticipated in Vision 2030, noting that the Kingdom's laws prohibit all forms of discrimination in jobs and wages between men and women at work.
The vice speaker of the Shura Council also stated that Saudi Arabia has provided essential relief to the Palestinian people in Gaza in the amount of $187 million, as well as a total of $1.6 billion in development and general humanitarian assistance.
Dr. Al-Salami affirmed that the Kingdom has also made significant political efforts. He said that the Kingdom called for an Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh on November 11, 2023, and launched the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in partnership with the Arab and Islamic countries, the European Union, and Norway. He added that the Kingdom hosted the alliance's first meeting in Riyadh on October 30, 2024, and announced the holding of the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh on November 11. He indicated that all these efforts are aimed at an immediate ceasefire, ending the Israeli occupation, providing relief to the Palestinian people, and establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
The P20 summit addressed a variety of critical issues on its agenda, including the contribution of parliaments in fighting hunger, poverty, and inequality, as well as the role of parliaments in addressing the environmental crisis, sustainability, and building global governance adapted to the challenges of the 21st century.



Saudi Arabia Warns Israeli Crimes Threaten Regional Peace

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Warns Israeli Crimes Threaten Regional Peace

A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency SPA on November 11, 2024, shows Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman addressing the joint extraordinary leaders summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League in Riyadh. (Photo by SPA / AFP)

Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned what it called Israel's genocide against Palestinians, which has left over 150,000 dead, injured, or missing, mostly women and children.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, speaking at an emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh, criticized Israel’s attacks on civilians, violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque, and efforts to weaken the Palestinian Authority. He warned these actions undermine peace efforts and Palestinians’ rights.

The Crown Prince also criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid in Palestinian territories, including halting operations by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

He pledged Saudi support for Palestinians and Lebanese people facing the ongoing Israeli attacks. The Crown Prince urged the international community to act immediately to stop the violence and protect peace.

Dr. Hesham Alghannam of the Carnegie Middle East Center highlighted Saudi Arabia’s strong stance, calling Israel’s actions in Gaza “genocide”—the Kingdom’s harshest condemnation of Israel’s human rights violations.

Saudi Arabia considers the Palestinian Authority (PA) a vital representative for Palestinians in peace talks and international matters, said Saudi scholar Alghannam, stressing its key role in achieving a two-state solution.

Alghannam noted that Israel’s actions, including military aggression and expanding illegal West Bank settlements, undermine the PA’s ability to govern and reduce the land available for a future Palestinian state.

He added that Saudi Arabia highlights core Palestinian rights, such as self-determination, refugee return, and statehood, accusing Israel of systematically blocking these rights.

Saudi Arabia’s position is rallying support from Arab, Islamic, and international communities against Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon, said Dr. Ali Dabkel Al-Anazi, a media professor at King Saud University.

“The Kingdom has condemned the aggression on Gaza and Lebanon, as well as attacks on Iran,” he noted.

Saudi Arabia is determined to lead efforts to halt Israeli attacks on Palestinians and Lebanese and push for a two-state solution, said Al-Anazi

He said the kingdom’s description of Israel’s actions as “crimes” reflects a strong stance in supporting Palestinian rights and reviving peace talks for a state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Al-Anazi noted that Saudi Arabia’s summit aimed to unify Arab and Islamic positions and pressure the incoming US administration of Donald Trump to act.

“Saudi Arabia opposes temporary truces or partial solutions,” he said, emphasizing its goals: a ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza, ending forced displacement, halting attacks on Lebanon, and achieving a fair resolution with a Palestinian state.

He added that Saudi efforts have led to 149 countries recognizing Palestine and the creation of a global alliance, which held its first meeting in Riyadh with 90 nations and UN organizations.

Since Israel’s military operation last year, Saudi Arabia has focused on protecting the Palestinian cause, both in land and people, said Dr. Mutlaq Al-Mutairi, a political media professor at King Saud University.

He noted that the Kingdom has increased diplomatic efforts to secure Palestine's recognition as a state and membership in the United Nations.

Al-Mutairi added that Saudi Arabia’s push for an international coalition to recognize Palestine, regardless of Israel’s position, has been a political victory, making it harder to ignore the Palestinian issue.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s stance is based on the belief that Palestine is an Arab state and its existence is an Arab responsibility.

On the humanitarian front, Al-Mutairi said Saudi Arabia has been committed to providing aid to Gaza and Lebanon, ensuring it remains separate from political or military considerations.

He pointed to Saudi support for UNRWA as a key part of its effort to protect the safety and health of people in both Palestine and Lebanon.

“The situation is difficult, but delivering aid is essential,” he said. “There is no alternative to this support.”