Saudi Arabia Prepares to Host Historic G20 Summit

A group photo of global leaders is projected on the walls of landmarks in Saudi Arabia's Diriyah. (AFP)
A group photo of global leaders is projected on the walls of landmarks in Saudi Arabia's Diriyah. (AFP)
TT

Saudi Arabia Prepares to Host Historic G20 Summit

A group photo of global leaders is projected on the walls of landmarks in Saudi Arabia's Diriyah. (AFP)
A group photo of global leaders is projected on the walls of landmarks in Saudi Arabia's Diriyah. (AFP)

Riyadh will host on Saturday and Sunday a historic G20 Summit, the first ever to be held in the Arab world and amid Saudi anticipation for reaching international consensus on pressing economic issues.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz will chair the proceedings of the 15th G20 Summit, which will be held virtually due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

World leaders and the heads of international and regional agencies and organizations have been invited to participate.

The summit, the world’s premier economic event, reflects Saudi Arabia’s central role on the regional and international scenes where it is seeking to bolster cooperation with its member state partners to achieve the goals of the G20 in pursuit of global economic stability and prosperity.

The Kingdom’s hosting of the summit will be an opportunity to propose issues that concern the Middle East and North Africa.

The agenda will address economic, financial, social, energy, environment, climate, digital economy, trade, agriculture, health care and education. The summit aims to develop effective policies in order to achieve sustainable and balanced development and provide real job opportunities to raise living conditions throughout the world.

Riyadh has witnessed a flurry of activity ahead of the global event, with working groups holding a series of meetings to tackle pressing economic issues.



Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Pursues Efforts to Quell Sudan Crisis

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji at the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis. He expressed Saudi Arabia’s openness to international initiatives aimed at bringing peace to Sudan.
At the Second Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan, held in Djibouti, Al-Khuraiji discussed the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United States, facilitated talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, leading to the Jeddah Declaration on May 11, 2023, which aimed to protect civilians.
Al-Khuraiji also noted the continuation of talks with the involvement of the African Union and IGAD, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s support for African-led solutions.
He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to restoring stability in Sudan and urged all parties to act with wisdom, show restraint, and support positive initiatives.
Al-Khuraiji also met with EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Annette Weber, on the sidelines of the consultative meeting.
In separate meetings, he also met with the UN Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, and US Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello.
During these meetings, they reviewed the latest developments in Sudan, explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and discussed topics of mutual interest.
The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces (Taqaddum) expressed support for international and regional meetings, hoping they would bring positive results to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.
They urged the need that discussions focus on ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those in need, protecting civilians, and achieving an immediate ceasefire.
Taqaddum highlighted the importance of international legal frameworks for civilian protection and safe passageways during the conflict.
They called on international and regional partners to quickly bring both sides back to negotiations, build on the Jeddah agreements, and secure a binding ceasefire with effective monitoring.
Taqaddum also stressed the need for a unified negotiation platform to achieve peace.