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Saudi Govt Hails Recommendations of 3rd Riyadh Int’l Humanitarian Forum

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Hails Recommendations of 3rd Riyadh Int’l Humanitarian Forum

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government hailed on Tuesday the recommendations of the third Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum that was held last week.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The forum had recommended bolstering collective efforts in areas that can reach innovative, sustainable and practical solutions to humanitarian response and accelerate the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The ministers were briefed on the message received by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, from President of Costa Rica Rodrigo Chaves Robles. The message tackled bilateral relations between their countries and ways to develop them in various fields.

The cabinet reviewed several articles on its agenda and agreed to authorize the minister of culture - or his deputy - to discuss and sign with Kuwait a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the cultural field.

It authorized the minister of environment, water and agriculture - or his deputy - to discuss and sign with Djibouti a draft MoU for cooperation in the field of live animal stock.

It authorized the minister of environment, water and agriculture - or his deputy - to discuss and sign with Thailand a draft MoU in the agricultural field.

The cabinet approved Saudi Arabia’s accession to the Near East Plant Protection Organization (NEPPO) and a draft MoU between the Kingdom and South Africa for cooperation in the field of communications and information technology.

It approved a MoU between the Saudi Communications, Space and Technology Commission and Brazil’s National Communications Agency.

It authorized the minister of environment, water and agriculture, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation - or his deputy - to discuss and sign with Japan’s Shinshu University a draft MoU in seawater desalination.

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Gulf

Gulf Cooperation Council Condemns Israeli Strike on Iran, Calls for Diplomacy

Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 
Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 
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Gulf Cooperation Council Condemns Israeli Strike on Iran, Calls for Diplomacy

Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 
Jasem Mohammed Albudaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, during the extraordinary meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council held via video conference (GCC). 

In an extraordinary virtual session held Sunday, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strongly condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran, denouncing them as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter. The council urged an immediate return to diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the growing regional tensions.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi described the current escalation as “unprecedented,” pointing to the Israeli military strikes on Iranian territory and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory actions.

“These developments have sharply heightened tensions in the region,” he said, warning that they “open the door to uncertain and troubling scenarios.”

Albudaiwi revealed that in light of the unfolding crisis, the GCC Emergency Management Center had been activated to monitor and respond to potential consequences, particularly those involving Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“We acted swiftly and responsibly in recognition of the gravity of the situation,” he said, citing the danger of strikes on nuclear infrastructure and the potential for serious environmental and technical fallout.

Among the chief concerns raised during the meeting were the regional consequences of a broader escalation - especially any damage to nuclear sites - and the far-reaching impacts this could have on the environment, regional infrastructure, and the economic stability of Gulf states. The GCC also highlighted the risks to global supply chains, energy markets, and the security of key maritime corridors.

In a statement, the council emphasized that “until now, all technical indicators remain within safe limits,” adding that there is no immediate cause for alarm. Nonetheless, member states remain on high alert. “Full readiness and constant vigilance are essential in facing this volatile situation,” said Albudaiwi.

He also reaffirmed the council’s foundational values of unity, collective security, and regional stability. “The GCC was established on the principles of solidarity and joint action,” he said. “We continue to believe that stability is essential for the prosperity and well-being of our peoples.”

Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s longstanding commitment to conflict prevention, dialogue facilitation, and the avoidance of military escalation.

“We renew our call to all nations and actors to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from further military action,” he said. “The region stands at the edge of a wider conflict that could spiral out of control, with consequences no one can predict or manage.”