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 Arabia, Qatar Affirm Aspects of Further Bolstering Bilateral Ties

Saudi FM and his Qatari counterpart co-chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi FM and his Qatari counterpart co-chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi Arabia, Qatar Affirm Aspects of Further Bolstering Bilateral Ties

Saudi FM and his Qatari counterpart co-chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi FM and his Qatari counterpart co-chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani co-chaired the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Saudi-Qatari Coordination Council in Riyadh on Sunday.
The two sides discussed various aspects of further enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation in various fields.
In a speech he delivered at the onset of the meeting, Prince Faisal welcomed Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and his accompanying delegation to Saudi Arabia.
He said the meeting is being convened to discuss aspects of further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries to achieve the aspirations of the leaderships and peoples of the two countries, and promote relations towards broader horizons.
Prince Faisal said that the leaderships of the two countries consider the Coordination Council as a platform to consolidate fraternal relations in a way that achieves the Visions 2030 of both Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The Qatari prime minister praised the distinguished efforts made by the committees emanating from the Council in updating the list of initiatives, and introducing measurable and implementable milestones.
He said the meeting is a milestone in the process of developing and deepening bilateral ties between the two countries, and an affirmation of their commitment to working in accordance with the directives of the leaders of both countries.
He expressed his aspiration to accomplish and implement everything as planned.
“Today we witness the fruition of great efforts exerted by heads of the committees, their teams, liaison officers and the General Secretariat team since the onset of the eighth session of the Qatari-Saudi Coordination Council. This session is responsible for many files of joint cooperation that we eagerly seek to complete and continue the work pace with momentum to achieve the desired goals”, the Qatari PM said.
He assured commitment to continue joint efforts in a way that meets the aspirations of the leadership of the two countries and their peoples.