Guterres Calls on Developed Countries to Fulfill Promise, Support Developing Nations

A memorial photo of the leaders of the countries participating in the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha (Reuters)
A memorial photo of the leaders of the countries participating in the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha (Reuters)
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Guterres Calls on Developed Countries to Fulfill Promise, Support Developing Nations

A memorial photo of the leaders of the countries participating in the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha (Reuters)
A memorial photo of the leaders of the countries participating in the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha (Reuters)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed the need to reform the global financial system and urged international financial institutions to devise ways to provide financing. He also urged developed countries to provide support to vulnerable nations to raise their ability to confront and adapt to climate change and allow a smooth transition to renewable energy.

To provide the necessary support, Guterres urged developed countries to fulfil their $100 billion promise to developing countries.

Speaking at the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, known as LDC5, taking place in the Qatar capital from 5 to 9 March, Guterres announced that he will host a Climate Ambition Summit at UN Headquarters in September to move from words to action and “to deliver climate justice to those on the frontlines of the crisis”.

The anticipated summit will offer an opportunity for international solidarity in confronting climate change and provide financial and technical support to ensure the transition of emerging economies to renewable energy sources.

Guterres stressed that LDCs are stuck in a wave of crises, uncertainty, climate chaos and historical global injustice, and are unable to catch up with the rapid technological changes.

Systems employed in LDCs are stretched or non-existent – from health and education to social protection, infrastructure, and job creation, noted the UN chief.

He said that the global financial system, created by wealthy countries to serve their own interests, is extremely unfair to LDCs, who must pay interest rates that can be eight times higher than those in developed countries.

“Today, 25 developing economies are spending over 20% of government revenues solely on servicing debt,” said Guterres.

In the face of such deep challenges, the UN chief stated that the LDCs “need a revolution of support” across three key areas.

The three areas mentioned by Guterres include immediate aid to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), provide an incentive package for the SDGs, and provide at least $500 billion annually to developing countries.

For his part, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, affirmed that there is a shared global responsibility in facing the challenges of food security, climate change, the energy crisis, and the debt crisis.

The Gulf State leader reiterated the need for international solidarity in combating crises worldwide.

“There is a moral obligation incumbent upon the rich and developed countries to contribute more to assist the least developed countries to overcome the global challenges we are now dealing with,” the Emir noted.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed the need to reform the global financial system and urged international financial institutions to devise ways to provide financing. He also urged developed countries to provide support to vulnerable nations to raise their ability to confront and adapt to climate change and allow a smooth transition to renewable energy.

To provide the necessary support, Guterres urged developed countries to fulfil their $100 billion promise to developing countries.

Speaking at the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, known as LDC5, taking place in the Qatar capital from 5 to 9 March, Guterres announced that he will host a Climate Ambition Summit at UN Headquarters in September to move from words to action and “to deliver climate justice to those on the frontlines of the crisis”.

The anticipated summit will offer an opportunity for international solidarity in confronting climate change and provide financial and technical support to ensure the transition of emerging economies to renewable energy sources.

Guterres stressed that LDCs are stuck in a wave of crises, uncertainty, climate chaos and historical global injustice, and are unable to catch up with the rapid technological changes.

Systems employed in LDCs are stretched or non-existent – from health and education to social protection, infrastructure, and job creation, noted the UN chief.

He said that the global financial system, created by wealthy countries to serve their own interests, is extremely unfair to LDCs, who must pay interest rates that can be eight times higher than those in developed countries.

“Today, 25 developing economies are spending over 20% of government revenues solely on servicing debt,” said Guterres.

In the face of such deep challenges, the UN chief stated that the LDCs “need a revolution of support” across three key areas.

The three areas mentioned by Guterres include immediate aid to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), provide an incentive package for the SDGs, and provide at least $500 billion annually to developing countries.

For his part, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, affirmed that there is a shared global responsibility in facing the challenges of food security, climate change, the energy crisis, and the debt crisis.

The Gulf State leader reiterated the need for international solidarity in combating crises worldwide.

“There is a moral obligation incumbent upon the rich and developed countries to contribute more to assist the least developed countries to overcome the global challenges we are now dealing with,” the Emir noted.



61st Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Egypt with Humanitarian Aid for Gaza

The 61st Saudi relief plane arriving at El Arish International Airport in Egypt - SPA
The 61st Saudi relief plane arriving at El Arish International Airport in Egypt - SPA
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61st Saudi Relief Plane Arrives in Egypt with Humanitarian Aid for Gaza

The 61st Saudi relief plane arriving at El Arish International Airport in Egypt - SPA
The 61st Saudi relief plane arriving at El Arish International Airport in Egypt - SPA

The 61st Saudi relief plane, operated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), arrived at El Arish International Airport in Egypt.

The plane was carrying food baskets for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip in coordination with the Ministry of Defense and the Kingdom's embassy in Egypt, SPA reported.

This aid is part of KSrelief's ongoing efforts to alleviate the severe famine and difficult living conditions faced by the people in Gaza.


New Delhi Keen to Expand Military Cooperation with Riyadh in Defense Field

Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu (NM), Senior Directing Staff, National Defense College, Ministry of Defense of India. (Indian Embassy in Riyadh)
Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu (NM), Senior Directing Staff, National Defense College, Ministry of Defense of India. (Indian Embassy in Riyadh)
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New Delhi Keen to Expand Military Cooperation with Riyadh in Defense Field

Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu (NM), Senior Directing Staff, National Defense College, Ministry of Defense of India. (Indian Embassy in Riyadh)
Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu (NM), Senior Directing Staff, National Defense College, Ministry of Defense of India. (Indian Embassy in Riyadh)

New Delhi is looking forward to exploring opportunities for cooperation with Riyadh in defense industries and form vital platforms to build capabilities and exchange expertise in the defense field given the recent establishment of the joint ministerial committee aimed at expanding the scope of long-term defense cooperation between the two sides.

In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat, Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu (NM), Senior Directing Staff, National Defense College, Ministry of Defense of India, said: “The establishment of a new Ministerial Committee on Defense Cooperation under the framework of the India–Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, during the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Kingdom in April 2025, marks a significant milestone in our defense relationship.”

“This institutional mechanism is poised to deepen and broaden our engagement across all domains of defense cooperation,” he added.

“Last year on the sidelines of World Defense Show in Riyadh, Saudi Arabian company Nadrah and Indian defense company Munitions India Limited (MIL) signed a major deal valued at over USD 225 million for supply of artillery ammunition to Saudi Arabia,” he went on to say.

‘Deep mutual trust and strategic alignment’

“As close maritime neighbors, India and Saudi Arabia share a natural convergence of interests in regional peace and stability,” said Sandhu. “This shared vision is underpinned by centuries of cultural and commercial ties, and today, it is increasingly reflected in our growing defense and security collaboration - a testament to the deep mutual trust and strategic alignment between our two nations.”

“In recent years, our defense engagements have witnessed unprecedented momentum. Over the past 18 months, we have achieved several significant milestones that have contributed to deepening institutional ties and practical cooperation,” he stressed.

“In January 2024, India had the honor of hosting the first-ever official visit by the Chief of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, Admiral Fahad Al-Ghufaili. This was followed in February 2024 by the first Indian ministerial defense delegation in over a decade visiting the Kingdom to participate in the 2nd World Defense Show in Riyadh,” he continued.

“The first joint army exercise, Sada Tanseeq-I, was successfully conducted last year, building on the momentum set by the bilateral naval exercises, Al-Mohed Al-Hindi, which took place in 2021 and 2023.”

“Earlier this year, we held the inaugural Army and Navy Staff Talks, further institutionalizing our defense dialogue and enabling more structured engagement between our services. A high-level Saudi delegation also visited the Information Fusion Center- Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram,” said Sandhu.

“Just last week, two Indian Navy warships made a port call in the Kingdom, where they also conducted a PASSEX (Passage Exercise) with Saudi Navy. Around the same time, a senior Saudi delegation was in New Delhi to attend the 7th Meeting of the Joint Committee on Defense Cooperation (JCDC), reaffirming the shared commitment to deepen wide-ranging defense cooperation,” he stated.

Riyadh visit

Sandhu continued: “I have the honor of leading a delegation comprising 15 senior military and civilian officers from India and five friendly foreign countries — Nigeria, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan. All members of the delegation are currently undergoing the prestigious National Security and Strategic Studies course at the National Defense College (NDC), New Delhi, India.”

“Established in 1960, the National Defense College is India's premier institution for higher military education. It plays a pivotal role in grooming selected senior officers from the armed forces and the civil services - both Indian and international - for strategic leadership roles,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. “The NDC provides an intellectually stimulating environment for the comprehensive study of national and international security issues, strategy, statecraft, and policy formulation.”

“As part of our curriculum, we are currently undertaking a three-day Strategic Neighborhood Study Tour to Saudi Arabia,” he revealed. “The aim of this familiarization visit is to gain firsthand insights into the Kingdom’s strategic environment and national security architecture.”

Moreover, he said: “The visit also provides a valuable opportunity to engage with key military institutions and defense industry organizations in the Kingdom.”

“Our itinerary includes official engagements in Riyadh and Dammam, where we look forward to meaningful interactions with senior officials and counterparts from the Saudi armed forces, government, and defense sector,” remarked Sandhu. “We have met Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al Sulaiman, Governor the General Authority for Defense Development (GADD), visited the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) as well as the National Defense University, Riyadh.”

“The last visit by an NDC delegation to the Kingdom took place in 2023, and we are pleased to continue this tradition of dialogue and collaboration. Officers from the Saudi armed forces have attended NDC courses in the past,” he added.


Egypt, Bahrain Agree to Coordinate Stances on Regional Issues, Bolster Cooperation

03 September 2025, Egypt, Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi receives the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Cairo. (Egyptian President Office)
03 September 2025, Egypt, Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi receives the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Cairo. (Egyptian President Office)
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Egypt, Bahrain Agree to Coordinate Stances on Regional Issues, Bolster Cooperation

03 September 2025, Egypt, Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi receives the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Cairo. (Egyptian President Office)
03 September 2025, Egypt, Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi receives the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa in Cairo. (Egyptian President Office)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed on Wednesday his country’s pride in the fraternal relations that bind it with Bahrain.

He received in Cairo Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for talks on bilateral relations and regional developments.

Both countries are aligned on regional issues and in agreement on bolstering bilateral cooperation, said Sisi.

The meeting was attended by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and several ministers from bother countries, said Egyptian presidency spokesman Mohammed Shennawy.

Sisi welcomed his guest “in his second home Egypt,” while Crown Prince Salman conveyed the greetings of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The officials stressed the importance of bolstering the strong bilateral ties between Cairo and Manama, especially in the economic, trade and investment fields. They also stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of joint projects that serve the interests and aspirations of people in both countries.

On regional developments, Prince Salman hailed Egypt’s efforts in coordination with Qatar and the United States to reach ceasefire in Gaza, ensure the release of prisoners and hostages and end the humanitarian suffering in the Palestinian enclave.

The leaders rejected the forced displacement of the Palestinian people, underling the need to begin the reconstruction of Gaza and revive the political process to establish an independent Palestinian state based on the June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The implementations of the two-state solution and international resolutions are the only to achieve lasting peace in the region, said the leaders according to the spokesman.

Egypt and Bahrain signed several memorandums of understanding during the Crown Prince’s visit covering the industry, tourism and investment sectors.