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Military Discussions Held at Global Workshop in Riyadh

Group photo of officers participating in the workshop (Ministry of Defense)
Group photo of officers participating in the workshop (Ministry of Defense)
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Military Discussions Held at Global Workshop in Riyadh

Group photo of officers participating in the workshop (Ministry of Defense)
Group photo of officers participating in the workshop (Ministry of Defense)

The 18th edition of the Senior Workshop on International Rules Governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) kicked off in Riyadh on Saturday, organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense, represented by the Saudi National Defense University (SANDU), in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The event, opened by Lieutenant General Fayyadh al-Ruwaili, Saudi Arabia’s Chief of the General Staff, and Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, carries special significance amid a global surge in armed conflicts and growing strain on the international legal framework designed to protect civilians during war.

Speaking before more than 125 senior military officers from 90 countries, Lt. Gen. al-Ruwaili said the workshop, held for the first time in the Kingdom, reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s firm commitment to respecting and promoting international humanitarian law and strengthening its application in military operations.

He said the Kingdom, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, has given great attention to the principles of international humanitarian law in its national legislation, criminalizing violations of the laws of war and aligning its regulations with international legal standards governing armed operations.

The system also ensures fair accountability through a solid legal and institutional framework in which competent courts play an active role in addressing cases that may arise in wartime, in accordance with international humanitarian law and its guarantees, he said.

Al-Ruwaili stressed that the Kingdom’s commitment is rooted in the principles of Islamic Sharia, which call for mercy, justice and benevolence, even in times of war, and for humane treatment of prisoners of war.

He added that these noble values form a solid foundation for promoting human rights both in peace and conflict, as part of the Kingdom’s deeply held respect for human dignity.

The Chief of the General Staff said the Ministry of Defense has integrated the principles of international humanitarian law into its military education curricula and training programs to ensure that members of the armed forces understand and apply them in the field.

He revealed that the ministry has carried out numerous specialized training programs in international humanitarian law, either in cooperation with the ICRC or through national institutions, emphasizing that Saudi Arabia seeks to be a global model in the implementation and teaching of international law.

Al-Ruwaili described the partnership with the ICRC as “a distinguished example of effective cooperation in legal and humanitarian training and awareness,” which strengthens professional conduct and discipline across the armed forces.

He added that the Kingdom’s commitment extends beyond the legal and military spheres to the humanitarian and relief fields, citing the efforts of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), which has implemented hundreds of projects in conflict and disaster zones worldwide, embodying the values of compassion, solidarity, neutrality, and non-discrimination enshrined in international humanitarian law.

For her part, Spoljaric said this year’s workshop comes at a pivotal moment, as the world witnesses a rise in both the number and intensity of conflicts while the laws established to protect civilians in wartime face unprecedented pressure.

She said the gathering of representatives from 90 countries, including states on opposing sides of current conflicts, in Riyadh reflects the shared responsibility of all nations to respect and uphold international humanitarian law.

Spoljaric also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for hosting the global forum, aimed at turning the rules of war from words on paper into practice on the battlefield.

The six-day workshop will cover a wide range of topics, including urban warfare, emerging military technologies, multinational operations, and the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in conflict zones.

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Gulf

Saudi FM, Qatari PM Co-Chair Coordination Council Executive Committee Meeting

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani co-chair the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council. SPA
Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani co-chair the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council. SPA
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Saudi FM, Qatari PM Co-Chair Coordination Council Executive Committee Meeting

Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani co-chair the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council. SPA
Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani co-chair the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Thursday with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Riyadh.

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations, aspects of cooperation, and ways to develop them in a manner that meets the aspirations of the leaderships and peoples of the two countries.

Following the meeting, Prince Faisal and Sheikh Mohammed co-chaired the Executive Committee meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

They reviewed the strong fraternal relations and ways to enhance them at bilateral and multilateral levels. They also discussed strengthening cooperation through several initiatives that would elevate relations to broader prospects.

Both sides praised the cooperation and coordination among the committees and working groups formed under the coordination council, stressing the importance of maintaining this level of progress to serve the mutual interests of both nations and their peoples.

The Executive Committee Secretariat presented an overview of the council’s activities and its committees over the past period, along with the latest updates and preparatory work for the eighth meeting of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

At the end of the meeting, the two ministers signed the minutes of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council.

Gulf

Albudaiwi: GCC is a Global Investment Magnet, Driven by Stability and Economic Strength

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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Albudaiwi: GCC is a Global Investment Magnet, Driven by Stability and Economic Strength

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

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stated that the strategic geographical location, political stability, and strong economic foundations of the Gulf states, coupled with the acceleration of Gulf integration projects, make the GCC a global destination attractive for investment and a key platform for international partnerships.

These factors, he added, enhance the status of the council states as a major player in shaping the future of the global economy, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday.

The secretary-general's remarks were made during his participation in the opening session of the seventh Milken Institute Middle East and Africa Summit, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Reviewing global economic transformations, Albudaiwi emphasized that the Gulf economy is undergoing a strong and sustainable phase, reflecting the success of economic reforms and strategic investments in future sectors.

He said that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the GCC states reached approximately $2.3 trillion in 2024, positioning the council states in ninth place globally and accounting for 63% of the total Arab economy. He added that the contribution of non-oil sectors exceeded 76% of the GDP, an indicator reflecting the success of economic diversification policies.

Albudaiwi also pointed to the strength and stability of the GCC financial sector, which boasts a market value exceeding $4.2 trillion, banking assets amounting to $3.5 trillion, and reserves approaching $800 billion. This is in addition to sovereign wealth funds exceeding $4.8 trillion, a fact that solidifies the council states' position as a key player in enhancing global economic stability, he stressed.

The secretary-general revealed that the GCC states are negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) with numerous international partners, including the United Kingdom, China, Türkiye, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Korea. These negotiations aim to enhance trade and investment flows, diversify income sources, and open new markets for Gulf products, thereby elevating competitiveness and reducing consumer prices within the GCC states.

Regarding artificial intelligence, he confirmed that the GCC states treat AI as a fundamental pillar for economic and social transformation.

The General Secretariat has adopted several regulatory frameworks and guiding principles, including the Guiding Framework for AI Ethics (2024), the General Framework for AI Applications in Public Services (October 2025), and the General Framework for Climate Forecasting and Disaster Management using AI (October 2025). Furthermore, the comprehensive Gulf Strategy for Artificial Intelligence is set to be adopted in December 2025.

Gulf

Gulf–Italian Drive to Build Platform for Deeper Partnerships

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her speech (Saudi Al-Ekhbariyah). 
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her speech (Saudi Al-Ekhbariyah). 
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Gulf–Italian Drive to Build Platform for Deeper Partnerships

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her speech (Saudi Al-Ekhbariyah). 
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during her speech (Saudi Al-Ekhbariyah). 

Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa reaffirmed the Gulf Cooperation Council’s determination to strengthen its partnership with Italy, underscoring the importance of advancing economic, social, and cultural ties.

Speaking at a Gulf–Italian business session in Manama, the king praised Italy’s significant progress in recent years and its prominent role in supporting international peace, security, and the protection of global maritime routes.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, for her part, described her country as “a nation with an ancient heart and a forward-looking vision.” She invoked what she called the “Arab frontier” between the Roman Empire and the Arabian Peninsula - “not a rigid barrier,” she said, but a corridor of contact and commerce, animated for centuries by the Spice Routes that connected ancient Rome with India through the Mediterranean.

Meloni announced Italy’s readiness to host a Gulf–Mediterranean summit aimed at launching a new, ambitious framework for dialogue between the two regions. She noted that the shared geopolitical space between the Gulf and the Mediterranean is “set to grow in importance,” making more structured engagement essential. Effective cooperation, she said, depends on harnessing the complementary strengths and strategic positioning of both sides.

Meloni stressed that Italy’s approach goes beyond exporting finished goods. The country also offers financing tools, industrial know-how, and advanced technological expertise.

She outlined Italy’s proposal to establish a joint operational platform focused on priority challenges where both sides can have meaningful impact. At the top of that list is strengthening economic connectivity, now a crucial factor in a rapidly innovating global economy.

Meloni highlighted the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which links major ports from India to the Middle East and Europe, with integration opportunities for the United States, as a project that could unlock “tremendous potential for our economies and companies.”

Turning to regional security, Meloni reiterated that lasting stability in the Middle East requires a two-state solution: Israel’s recognition of the Palestinians’ right to statehood, coupled with a final recognition of Israel’s right to exist and live in security.

On Iran, Meloni noted Tehran’s repeated assertions that it does not seek nuclear weapons. She said: “If this is true - and I want to believe it - then a strict, credible agreement with full participation from the International Atomic Energy Agency is essential to assure the world of the peaceful nature of Iran’s program.”

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed the depth of Gulf–Italian ties, describing them as long-standing, trust-based, and anchored in shared interests. He noted clear progress in recent years across multiple fields, including security, stability, and counterterrorism, all aimed at supporting collective security and advancing peaceful conflict resolution.