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.
TT

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.



UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
TT

UAE, Syria Foreign Ministers Discuss Bolstering Ties on UAE visit

A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)
A handout photo made available by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) shows United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 06 January 2025. (WAM)

UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed bolstering "brotherly" ties with Syria during the first official visit by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, Emirati state news agency WAM reported.

The two ministers also discussed the overall developments in Syria since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted by opposition factions on Dec. 8.

The UAE's foreign minister reiterated the country's support for Syria's independence and sovereignty, WAM added.

Syria's Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, head of intelligence Anas Khattab and the UAE's minister of state for defense affairs, Mohammed Fadel al-Mazrouei, also attended the meeting.

The UAE is part of Shibani's second foreign tour, which earlier took him to Qatar and will also include a visit to Jordan. He said the visits aim to "support stability, security, economic recovery and build distinguished partnerships", according to his account on X.

Shibani made his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia last week, where Saudi officials discussed how best to support Syria's political transition.