US Senate Confirms Ratney as New Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Michael Ratney the New US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Michael Ratney the New US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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US Senate Confirms Ratney as New Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Michael Ratney the New US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Michael Ratney the New US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The US Senate approved on Wednesday the appointment of Michael Alan Ratney to serve as the US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

US President Joe Biden had announced Ratney’s candidacy for the post back in April, 2022.

The US embassy in Riyadh welcomed the appointment.

“The US Senate approved the appointment of US ambassador Michael Ratney as the new ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the US embassy said in a tweet.

“We look forward to welcoming him in Riyadh,” it added.

Ratney, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, most recently served as Acting Deputy Director at the Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute.

Previously, he served as Chargé d’Affaires a.i. in the US Embassy in Jerusalem and was the Dean of the School of Language Studies at the Foreign Service Institute. Prior to that, Ratney was on the faculty of the National Defense University. He served as the State Department’s acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Levant and Israel and Palestinian Affairs and was the US Special Envoy for Syria.

Earlier, Ratney was the US Consul General in Jerusalem. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Media in the State Department’s Bureau of Public Affairs.

Prior to that, he served as Spokesman for the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Other assignments include Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Doha, Qatar, as well as tours in Mexico City, Baghdad, Beirut, Casablanca, Bridgetown, and Washington, DC.
Ratney’s deep and substantive background in Near Eastern affairs, proficiency in Arabic, demonstrated ability to lead large interagency teams, and extensive expertise in press and public diplomacy, all make him a well-qualified candidate for Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Ratney earned a BS from Boston University, and an MA from the George Washington University. He is the recipient of multiple State Department performance awards, including six Senior Foreign Service Performance awards and a Presidential Meritorious Service award, and speaks Arabic and French.



Saudi Arabia Concludes Third IMFC Deputies Meeting

The Kingdom's chairmanship of the IMFC is a testament to its strong commitment to promoting multilateralism and reflects its leading role in supporting regional and global economic growth. - SPA
The Kingdom's chairmanship of the IMFC is a testament to its strong commitment to promoting multilateralism and reflects its leading role in supporting regional and global economic growth. - SPA
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Saudi Arabia Concludes Third IMFC Deputies Meeting

The Kingdom's chairmanship of the IMFC is a testament to its strong commitment to promoting multilateralism and reflects its leading role in supporting regional and global economic growth. - SPA
The Kingdom's chairmanship of the IMFC is a testament to its strong commitment to promoting multilateralism and reflects its leading role in supporting regional and global economic growth. - SPA

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concluded the third deputies meeting for the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), which was held under the Saudi chairmanship in Diriyah on April 6-7, and co-organized by the Ministry of Finance and the IMF.
During his opening speech, Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan praised the efforts of the IMF's leadership and the members of the IMFC in guiding the IMF during challenging times. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure global financial stability and strong, inclusive economic growth. "The IMF has shown resilience by adapting to the ever-changing global landscape," Minister Aljadaan said.
In her opening speech, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Dr. Kristalina Georgieva expressed her gratitude for Saudi Arabia's ongoing and robust support for the IMF and the strong leadership of the IMFC, SPA reported.
"Amid significant global policy changes, the IMF's mission to foster macroeconomic and financial stability remains just as essential as it was 80 years ago. Our 191 member countries can rely on the IMF as a trusted advisor," she said.
The IMFC deputies discussed several topics during the high-level discussion sessions, including ways to enhance global financial stability and inclusive development. They addressed the challenges facing the global economy due to uncertainty in trade flows and its impact on capital in both advanced and developing economies. Emphasis was placed on the effect of high debt levels on investments in infrastructure and jobs and the opportunities and risks arising from technological and demographic shifts.
Additionally, they discussed the IMF's role in supporting countries through financial stability programs and coordinating regional financial arrangements.