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Gulf

King Salman to Lead Saudi Arabia's Delegation to G20 Leaders Summit

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
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King Salman to Lead Saudi Arabia's Delegation to G20 Leaders Summit

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz will lead Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the G20 Leaders Summit scheduled for Rome on October 31.

King Salman will participate virtually at the global event, announced the Royal Court on Sunday.

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Gulf

Macron Hails Saudi Crown Prince’s Visit as ‘Important Milestone’

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, August 23, 2026. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, August 23, 2026. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS
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Macron Hails Saudi Crown Prince’s Visit as ‘Important Milestone’

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, August 23, 2026. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS
French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attend the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, August 23, 2026. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

French President Emmanuel Macron said that the visit of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to France carries significant strategic importance, describing it as an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting peace and stability.

In a post on X, Macron described the visit as an “important milestone.”

“At a time when the region faces major challenges, France and Saudi Arabia have always worked together to promote peace and stability, and they will continue their consultations in this regard,” he wrote.

Macron noted that the Paris-Riyadh partnership is built through concrete cooperation in major projects, advanced technologies, mutual investments, and joint international events, such as the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Paris.

He added: “We have already achieved a great deal together, and we can move forward toward even greater horizons.”

The state visit by Prince Mohammed bin Salman to France, at the invitation of President Macron, reflects the commitment of both countries’ leaderships to advancing bilateral relations, strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership, and leveraging their political and economic capabilities in support of shared interests amid the rapid development of ties between the two nations.

Saudi Arabia remains committed to deepening its strategic partnerships with major and influential global powers while maintaining balanced relations that serve the Kingdom’s national interests and reinforce its leading role in the Middle East and beyond.

Both countries hope the visit will help maximize the opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030, further strengthening economic cooperation in areas including joint investment, industry, energy, culture and heritage, tourism, education, technology, space, defense and security, and other sectors.

The Saudi-French relationship is regarded as one of the most important bilateral partnerships globally. It is founded on a long history of trust and cooperation and is characterized by continuous development, effective collaboration across multiple strategic sectors, and a convergence of views on many issues of mutual concern.

The ambitious partnership between the two countries is being reinforced by expanding opportunities for trade and investment cooperation in sectors such as energy, industry and mining, agriculture, health and healthcare, biotechnology, telecommunications and information technology, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, space, smart and sustainable cities, tourism, and culture.

Gulf

GCC Secretary-General Highlights Joint Efforts to Combat Money Laundering

Al-Budaiwi speaking to attendees at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in Riyadh (GCC)
Al-Budaiwi speaking to attendees at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in Riyadh (GCC)
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GCC Secretary-General Highlights Joint Efforts to Combat Money Laundering

Al-Budaiwi speaking to attendees at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in Riyadh (GCC)
Al-Budaiwi speaking to attendees at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in Riyadh (GCC)

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi stressed on Monday that the GCC states attach the utmost importance to developing their national capabilities to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.

These remarks were made during his speech at the introductory workshop on international best practices in combating money laundering and terrorist financing, held at the General Secretariat headquarters in Riyadh.

"Combating money laundering and terrorist financing constitutes a fundamental pillar for protecting the integrity of financial systems, bolstering economic stability, and confronting criminal activities and their funding sources," he stated in his opening remarks.

Albudaiwi highlighted the GCC states' continued dedication to strengthening their national capabilities and developing regulatory and institutional frameworks aligned with international standards and best practices.

He explained that the General Secretariat plays an essential role in fostering Gulf coordination in this field by representing the GCC member states in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF), monitoring relevant international developments, and facilitating the transfer of expertise and practices that support member states' efforts.

"The workshop coincides with the fifth round of Mutual Evaluations conducted by FATF, which requires a high level of coordination and preparedness, a precise understanding of international requirements and standards, and the ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of implemented frameworks and measures on the ground," he noted.

He also emphasized that the workshop serves as a key platform for exchanging knowledge and expertise, drawing upon international practices, and discussing practical challenges.

"This contributes to unifying understanding, cementing coordination among relevant entities in the GCC states, and elevating their readiness to address the requirements of the upcoming phase efficiently and effectively," Albudaiwi said.

The secretary-general pointed out that the success of the GCC states in mitigating the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing and fulfilling their international obligations necessitates ongoing joint Gulf action, role integration among relevant stakeholders, and the utilization of international expertise, thereby enhancing the resilience of GCC economies and safeguarding the integrity of their financial systems.

He further expressed hope that the discussions and exchange of expertise during the workshop would yield practical outcomes that support existing efforts and advance Gulf coordination and integration in this vital domain.

Gulf

Nine Riyadh-Paris Visits Chart Path from Coordination to Strategic Partnership

Mohammed bin Salman and Macron during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024 (AP) 
Mohammed bin Salman and Macron during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024 (AP) 
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Nine Riyadh-Paris Visits Chart Path from Coordination to Strategic Partnership

Mohammed bin Salman and Macron during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024 (AP) 
Mohammed bin Salman and Macron during the French president’s visit to Riyadh in December 2024 (AP) 

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s current state visit to France marks the ninth official visit exchanged between the Saudi and French leaders since 2015, according to an Asharq Al-Awsat review of official sources.

The crown prince has traveled to France six times on official visits since 2015, including the current trip, while French President Emmanuel Macron has made three official visits to Saudi Arabia since taking office in 2017.

2015: First Visit

Mohammed bin Salman made his first official trip to France in June 2015, meeting then-President François Hollande at the Élysée Palace.

He also led the Saudi delegation at the inaugural meeting of the Saudi-French Permanent Coordinating Committee. The trip saw the signing of 10 agreements worth a total of $12 billion.

2016: Vision 2030 Joins the Agenda

Mohammed bin Salman returned to Paris in June 2016, meeting Hollande and other senior French officials.

Talks centered on developing bilateral ties and cooperation under Saudi Vision 2030, unveiled by the Kingdom two months earlier, as well as developments in the Middle East and efforts to bolster regional security and stability.

The trip broadened economic cooperation, placing Saudi Arabia’s transformation and diversification plans at the heart of discussions alongside political and defense coordination.

Several agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed, while the third Saudi-French Business Opportunities Forum brought together companies and business leaders to explore investment opportunities.

2017: Macron Makes First Saudi Trip

Macron traveled to Saudi Arabia on Nov. 9, 2017, months after taking office.

He met Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh for talks on regional stability, counterterrorism and peace efforts, according to the French presidency.

The French leader also condemned a Houthi ballistic missile attack targeting Riyadh and voiced his country’s solidarity with the Kingdom.

2018: Three Days in France, AlUla Agreement

In April 2018, Mohammed bin Salman traveled to France for the first time since becoming crown prince and for the third time since 2015.

During the three-day trip, he held wide-ranging discussions with Macron covering political, economic, defense and cultural ties, as well as regional issues.

The two countries signed an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation to develop AlUla, while Saudi and French companies concluded 19 agreements worth more than $18 billion.

2021: Macron in Jeddah

Macron returned to Saudi Arabia in December 2021 for talks with Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah.

Discussions focused on regional security and stability and ways to expand the bilateral partnership under Vision 2030, alongside Lebanon, Yemen, Iran and counterterrorism.

Riyadh and Paris also sought to broaden economic and investment cooperation, particularly in new technologies, future industries, renewable energy, culture and tourism.

2022: Energy and Global Crises

Mohammed bin Salman traveled to France again in July 2022, meeting Macron at the Élysée Palace as the Russia-Ukraine war weighed on global energy markets and food security.

Their discussions covered diversifying energy supplies to Europe and mitigating the impact of the food crisis, as well as developments in Lebanon and Yemen and Iran’s nuclear program.

Riyadh and Paris agreed to deepen cooperation in defense, energy, digital transformation, transport, sustainable cities and culture. France also renewed its support for Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030.

2023: A Broader Partnership

Mohammed bin Salman’s fifth official trip to France came in the summer of 2023, when he held bilateral and expanded talks with Macron at the Élysée Palace.

The leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional and international developments.

The crown prince also headed the Saudi delegation to the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact and attended an official reception promoting Riyadh’s Expo 2030 bid.

The trip reflected the widening scope of Saudi-French ties, extending beyond politics and defense to climate action, the global economy, investment and culture.

2024: Strategic Partnership

Macron traveled to Saudi Arabia for a third time from Dec. 2 to 4, 2024, on a state visit encompassing Riyadh and AlUla.

The trip saw the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries and the signing of a memorandum of understanding to create the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, an umbrella framework for cooperation in politics, defense, the economy, culture, energy and technology.

Macron also attended an investment forum bringing together more than 200 Saudi and French companies and took part in the One Water Summit in Riyadh before traveling to AlUla in northern Saudi Arabia.

2026: Ninth Visit

Mohammed bin Salman’s current state visit to France is his sixth official trip to the country since 2015 and brings the total number of official visits exchanged between the two countries’ leaders to nine.

Macron has traveled to Saudi Arabia three times since becoming president in 2017.