Yemen Consultations Make Significant Progress

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
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Yemen Consultations Make Significant Progress

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

The intra-Yemeni consultations, currently underway in Riyadh, have made significant progress in all issues on their agenda.

The consultations kicked off in the Saudi capital on Wednesday and they are being sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

On Sunday, the gatherers discussed the challenges facing the legitimate government and Yemenis and the best ways to address them.

GCC Ambassador to Yemen Sarhan Al-Minaikher said the government met on Monday with representatives of the six tracks under discussion at the talks.

They first tackled the political track and then the economic and security ones. The remaining tracks are media, social and humanitarian affairs.

The economy is among the issues that most concern the Yemeni people and they will find the needed support from their Gulf brothers, stressed Al-Minaikher at a press conference.

He confirmed that progress has been achieved on all issues, saying the talks have been marked by consensus among the gatherers.

Among the issues discussed was the impact global tensions will have on imports in Yemen, especially in wake of the war in Ukraine and the repercussions on grain production.

Moreover, he added that Yemen "has not and will not accept to remain outside the GCC organization. The country is a main part and natural extension of the Arabian Peninsula."

He said the gatherers were determined on bolstering state institutions, adding however, that no solutions have been reached.

He explained that the gatherers were still at the stage of addressing obstacles and problems, while solutions will be addressed in the coming days.

The consultations are set to conclude on April 7.

Al-Minaikher stated that the consultations were not an alternative to the United Nations negotiations. This is not a platform to exert pressure, rather it is a place to bring together brothers so that they can reach agreement in order to achieve stability in Yemen.

Leader of the national resistance, Tariq Saleh said the consultations were a beacon of hope for all national powers as they confront "the forces of backwardness" - the Iran-backed Houthi militias.

He hoped the consultations will "at least reform the legitimate institution."

He explained: "We have said that the weakness in confronting the Houthis stems from the failure in unifying the forces of the republic and mismanagement of political, economic and military affairs."

"Everyone is in agreement on the need for reform," he remarked.



Saudi Foreign Minister Leads Kingdom’s Delegation at G20 Summit

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holds discussions with officials on the sidelines of the G20 summit. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holds discussions with officials on the sidelines of the G20 summit. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Leads Kingdom’s Delegation at G20 Summit

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holds discussions with officials on the sidelines of the G20 summit. (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah holds discussions with officials on the sidelines of the G20 summit. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah is heading the Kingdom's delegation at the G20 summit in Brazil, which began Monday and runs for two days.

Representing Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Faisal arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. The delegation includes Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan and Deputy Minister Abdulmohsen Al-Khalaf, Saudi Arabia’s G20 Sherpa.

The delegation is attending G20 summit meetings to address global political and economic challenges and promote international cooperation for prosperity.

The G20 accounts for 90% of global GDP, 80% of world trade, and two-thirds of the global population.

The G20 summit kicks off with the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and a session on “Reforming Global Governance.”

On the second day, leaders will discuss “Sustainable Development and Energy Transitions,” followed by an official lunch, bilateral meetings, and a closing ceremony where Brazil will hand over the G20 presidency to South Africa.

Al-Jadaan emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to multilateral cooperation to achieve sustainable development, stabilize the global economy, and tackle challenges faced by developing and low-income nations.

He noted that Saudi Arabia’s participation highlights its rapid economic growth and global influence. Al-Jadaan also praised Brazil’s efforts to lead the summit under the theme, “Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.”

The minister outlined Brazil’s main priorities for this year’s G20 presidency: tackling hunger and poverty, reforming global governance, and promoting sustainable development. These align with the group’s focus on multilateralism, food security, and global growth.

The G20 has played a key role in past crises, including the 2020 summit hosted by Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic and that helped stabilize the global economy and support struggling nations.

Formed in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis, the G20 includes 19 countries, the EU, and the African Union, representing major global economies like the US, China, India and Saudi Arabia.

South Africa will lead the group in 2025, followed by the US in 2026.