Riyadh Hours Away From Hosting World’s Largest Economies Summit

Caption: Logo of the Saudi G20 meetings (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Caption: Logo of the Saudi G20 meetings (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Riyadh Hours Away From Hosting World’s Largest Economies Summit

Caption: Logo of the Saudi G20 meetings (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Caption: Logo of the Saudi G20 meetings (Asharq Al-Awsat).

In few hours, the Saudi capital will host the largest gathering of global economies. The G20 summit, under Saudi Arabia's presidency, will kick-off on Saturday in an event held virtually due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the G20 member-states have earmarked $11 trillion to protect the global economy from the repercussions of the pandemic, this year’s agenda, under the leadership of Saudi Arabia, revolves around two strategic axes that focus on restoring growth and eliminating the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

Saudi Arabia affirmed that it had taken, during its G20 presidency, immediate and exceptional measures to address the crisis by applying unprecedented measures.

In this context, 46 low-income countries have benefited from the measures taken by the G20 to confront the Covid-19, as the virus had extensive negative effects on all countries and individuals around the world.

The Kingdom believes that the G20 countries, individually and collectively, were quick to respond to the pandemic in order to protect lives and livelihoods and support the global economy.

The G20 states have pumped more than $11 trillion to support the global economy and bridge the financing gap in the global health system with another $21 billion, with the aim to enhance pandemic preparedness and response.

Minister of Finance Mohammad Al-Jadaan stated that the G20 summit, under the Kingdom’s chairmanship, was keen to strengthen international cooperation to support global economic recovery and to lay solid foundations for a strong, sustainable, balanced and comprehensive growth.

“We have a chance to recover from the pandemic and return in a stronger and more sustainable way, with greater social and economic inclusion,” he remarked.

For his part, Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said that the Kingdom’s hosting of the 15th session of the G20 leaders’ summit has proven its global role and efforts to achieve the goals of the G20.

“G20 countries have allocated $11 trillion to protect and support the global economy from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” he said, referring to the historic initiative to suspend debt payments of 73 countries in the world, worth $14 billion.



Saudi FM Holds Separate Phone Calls with His Moroccan, Indonesian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 26, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 26, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi FM Holds Separate Phone Calls with His Moroccan, Indonesian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 26, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attends a meeting with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 26, 2023. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a phone conversation on Monday with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita.
The two officials discussed the latest developments concerning the Palestinian issue and the Arab and Muslim countries’ endeavor to achieve an immediate cessation of all Israeli violations, and support the establishment of a secure and stable Palestinian state in accordance with relevant international laws, SPA reported.

He also held talks over the phone with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.
The two officials reviewed recent developments in Palestine and efforts exerted to uphold the legitimate rights of the State of Palestine and its people, and emphasized the need for increased cooperation to prevent the ongoing Israeli violations of international humanitarian laws.