G20 Sherpas Discuss Restoring Growth

Sherpas concluded their second extraordinary Sherpa meeting under the G20 Saudi Presidency on Friday.
Sherpas concluded their second extraordinary Sherpa meeting under the G20 Saudi Presidency on Friday.
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G20 Sherpas Discuss Restoring Growth

Sherpas concluded their second extraordinary Sherpa meeting under the G20 Saudi Presidency on Friday.
Sherpas concluded their second extraordinary Sherpa meeting under the G20 Saudi Presidency on Friday.

The Second G20 Extraordinary Sherpa Meeting was held virtually on Friday, under the Saudi G20 Presidency, with participation from all G20 members, invited countries, and international organizations

G20 Sherpas took stock of the progress achieved on the commitments by the G20 Leaders in the Extraordinary Leaders’ Summit that was held in March, with a focus on health, global economy, trade and international cooperation, the Saudi G20 Secretariat said in a statement.

Sherpas discussed opportunities to build long-term resilience, such as better prepared health and social protection systems, emergency response for least developing countries, and efforts to protect the environment for a stronger global recovery. Sherpas also discussed the progress in all the G20 work streams, and the way forward towards the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November.

The Saudi G20 Sherpa, Fahad Almubarak, highlighted the importance of continuing the G20 collective efforts to achieve the commitments made by the Leaders in response to the coronavirus pandemic in order to protect lives and restore growth.

In his opening remarks, Almubarak emphasized that “a united global leadership is greatly required to emerge from this pandemic stronger and in a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable manner.”

“During the meeting, G20 Sherpas expressed their satisfaction on the progress thus far and provided their inputs on the way forward towards future Sherpa Meetings and the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November,” said the Saudi G20 Secretariat statement.



Saudi Arabia Says Now Is Time for Syria’s Stability and Revival

The Saudi and Syrian delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
The Saudi and Syrian delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Says Now Is Time for Syria’s Stability and Revival

The Saudi and Syrian delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
The Saudi and Syrian delegations are seen at the meeting in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Thursday that “it is about time for Syria to become stable,” underlining the need for its revival and for it to benefit from its own capabilities, most significantly its “brotherly people.”

He received in Riyadh a delegation from the new Syrian administration that included Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra.

Talks focused on the developments in Syria and ways to support its political transition to meet the aspirations of the people and ensure the country’s security, stability and territorial integrity.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is seen at the meeting on Thursday. (SPA)

In a post on the X platform, Prince Khalid said he held a “productive” meeting with the Syrian delegation.

“Our brothers and sisters in Syria have suffered from wars, destruction and challenging living conditions,” he added.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah also held a separate meeting with Shibani.

Syrian Defense Minister Asaad al-Shibani during the meeting with Prince Khalid. (SPA)

Shibani had arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday on his first foreign visit since assuming his post.

His accompanying delegation also included chief of intelligence Anas Khattab.

In a post on X, Shibani hoped the visit would “open a new chapter in ties” between Syria and the Kingdom.