Saudi Cabinet Welcomes Launch of Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud  - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA
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Saudi Cabinet Welcomes Launch of Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud  - SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session on Tuesday, which reviewed Saudi Arabia’s recent discussions and consultations with brotherly and friendly nations to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation across various fields, achieve mutual interests, and support regional and international security and stability.

The Cabinet welcomed the institutional and operational activation of the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance following the completion of its organizational and planning frameworks. This marks a new phase of joint action to achieve full operational readiness and fulfill its mission to enhance collective maritime security, protect freedom of navigation across maritime straits and waterways, and support the continuity of international trade and global supply chains.

The Cabinet reiterated its categorical rejection of repeated Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and tankers, viewing them as a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to the safety and security of maritime navigation.

It also affirmed that these attacks constitute a grave violation of international laws and norms and a blatant defiance of the Security Council resolution obligating respect for commercial vessels' freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and condemning any threats or actions obstructing it.

On bilateral relations, the Cabinet deemed establishing the Saudi-Sudanese Coordination Council an extension of both nations' commitment to institutionalized joint coordination, advancing cooperation and integration through tangible outputs, initiatives, projects, and objectives to achieve desired aspirations.

The Cabinet commended the Kingdom's successful presidency of the 16th session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP16), which launched international partnerships and initiatives to combat land degradation, desertification, and drought, enhance water and food security, support climate adaptation, and advance innovative solutions for environmental protection and sustainable development.

On World Humanitarian Day, observed on August 19, the Cabinet expressed pride in Saudi Arabia's pioneering humanitarian role and its prominent standing among the world's leading donor nations. This reflects the Kingdom's long history of generosity, proactive initiative, and providing aid, assistance, and disaster relief to countries and communities in need globally.

Domestically, as the new academic year approaches, the Cabinet reviewed the education sector's achievements, notably in improving organizational and operational efficiency, advancing educational institutions, expanding students' scientific expertise, upgrading teachers' capabilities, and providing exemplary learning environments with leading curricula and specialized programs that foster innovation and creativity—all contributing to human capital development and Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

The Cabinet also commended the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) financial performance and continued progress toward its targets, evidenced by revenue and net profit growth in 2025. This reflects PIF's ongoing drive to spur economic diversification in the Kingdom, expand domestic and international investments, and bolster key strategic sectors, including artificial intelligence, technology, energy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.

The Cabinet praised government agencies' tangible progress in the 2026 Digital Experience Maturity Index, reflecting ongoing commitment to developing operations, innovating flexible and effective technological solutions, and delivering top-tier procedures and services to citizens, residents, and visitors, in line with the Kingdom's leadership and competitiveness in international rankings and indicators.



French Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Aviation Leading Our Exports to Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron chair the French-Saudi investment roundtable in Paris in August. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron chair the French-Saudi investment roundtable in Paris in August. (SPA)
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French Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Aviation Leading Our Exports to Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron chair the French-Saudi investment roundtable in Paris in August. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and French President Emmanuel Macron chair the French-Saudi investment roundtable in Paris in August. (SPA)

The visit by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Paris has propelled economic and investment relations between Saudi Arabia and France into a new phase, accelerating the implementation of joint projects and expanding cooperation in the transport, logistics, energy, and advanced technology sectors, French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The Crown Prince had visited Paris on August 24, where he co-chaired, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council.

The meeting marked a new milestone in bilateral relations between the two countries and witnessed the announcement of some 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding across several fields.

Maisonnave said the meeting “consolidated our long-term cooperation and accelerated the implementation of joint projects.”

“France has become one of the Kingdom’s foremost partners and a key player in the economic and cultural transformation the country is undergoing,” he added, noting trade volume grew by 11% in 2025, and Saudi Arabia now ranks as France’s leading trading partner in the Near and Middle East.

“While the aviation sector drives our exports, the range of goods is remarkably diverse; pharmaceuticals, food products, cosmetics, and electrical equipment, for instance, feature prominently,” said the ambassador.

“Economic relations between our two countries are now characterized by mutual investments, sustainable projects, and the transfer of expertise in areas of shared interest. The Strategic Partnership Council now serves as the framework that will forge closer economic ties between France and the Kingdom as we navigate the transformations of the future,” Maisonnave stressed.

Moreover, he noted that France currently ranks as the third-largest foreign investor in the Kingdom. “Our ambition is to strengthen this presence and encourage more French companies to seize the opportunities created by the Kingdom’s transformation.”

“The establishment of large-scale credit insurance mechanisms will further support the participation of French companies in the Kingdom’s major strategic projects. It is a Kingdom where France seeks to increase investment, forge partnerships, develop talent, and create value and jobs,” Maisonnave added.

French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Patrick Maisonnave. (French Embassy in Saudi Arabia)

He highlighted the agreement between CMA CGM and the Red Sea Gateway Terminal to develop and operate Terminal 4 at Jeddah Port as a perfect example of this commitment.

It combines the expertise of a major French group with a global footprint and Saudi Arabia’s ambition to strengthen its position as a key logistics hub - a strategic role connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa, the importance of which was clearly demonstrated during the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, said the ambassador.

“In the realm of urban transport, the contract awarded to Alstom to supply additional metro trains for Riyadh follows the same logic: leveraging French expertise to support the Kingdom’s major infrastructure projects,” he continued.

“I am also very pleased with the growing momentum of this dynamic. The entertainment project planned by Qiddiya in the Paris region is a powerful signal in this regard; for us, it serves as further proof of confidence in France’s ability to attract such projects,” stressed Maisonnave.

Future technologies

The ambassador also said it was “crucial” to strengthen the partnership in future technologies. “The strategic collaboration announced between HUMAIN and Mistral AI is a prime example of this,” he noted.

“This partnership encompasses AI infrastructure, the development of advanced models, and the deployment of solutions tailored to the Kingdom’s needs, with the aim of developing high-performance, sovereign capabilities in the Arabic language.”

In the energy sector, the ambassador said: “We are committed to enhancing the stability of global energy markets and ensuring security of supply. We will strengthen our strategic cooperation in the oil and petrochemical sectors, sustainable power generation, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, clean hydrogen, and peaceful nuclear energy.”

The outcomes of the French-Saudi investment roundtable, held during the Crown Prince’s visit to Paris, underscore the growing economic ties between the two countries. The event brought together private sector representatives to exchange views on opportunities across various key sectors.

“The approximately 20 agreements and memoranda of understanding announced on this occasion attest to the deepening ties between our companies,” said Maisonnave.


Saudi Crown Prince, CENTCOM Commander Discuss Regional Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, CENTCOM Commander Discuss Regional Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Jeddah on Monday US Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper for talks on bilateral ties between their countries.

They also discussed developments in the region.

Saudi Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban was present at the meeting.


Saudi Civil Defense Lifts Alert after Security Threat in Abha and Khamis Mushait

The Civil Defense stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels and adhering to instructions issued by competent authorities (SPA)
The Civil Defense stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels and adhering to instructions issued by competent authorities (SPA)
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Saudi Civil Defense Lifts Alert after Security Threat in Abha and Khamis Mushait

The Civil Defense stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels and adhering to instructions issued by competent authorities (SPA)
The Civil Defense stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels and adhering to instructions issued by competent authorities (SPA)

Saudi civil defense authorities said on Monday that the danger that prompted a security alert through the National Early Warning Platform for emergencies in Abha and Khamis Mushait had passed. The alert warned residents and urged them to follow safety instructions.

The civil defense issued an early warning of a potential security danger in Abha and Khamis Mushait, urging residents to remain calm, follow official instructions and move to the nearest safe place inside buildings. It also urged them to stay away from windows and exposed areas until the danger subsides.

It said that if an alert was received while driving, motorists should pull over away from bridges and high-rise buildings. It also urged people to report any danger by calling 911 in Makkah, Medina, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 998 in other parts of the kingdom.

The warning has also advised people not to leave buildings, refrain from filming incidents or gather in groups in hazardous areas.

The civil defense authorities also stressed the importance of obtaining information from official channels, and following instructions issued by the relevant authorities.