Saudi FM Arrives in Damascus on Official Visit

18 April 2023, Syria, Damascus: Minister of Presidential Affairs of Syria Mansour Azzam (L) welcomes Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah at Damascus airport. (SPA)
18 April 2023, Syria, Damascus: Minister of Presidential Affairs of Syria Mansour Azzam (L) welcomes Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah at Damascus airport. (SPA)
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Saudi FM Arrives in Damascus on Official Visit

18 April 2023, Syria, Damascus: Minister of Presidential Affairs of Syria Mansour Azzam (L) welcomes Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah at Damascus airport. (SPA)
18 April 2023, Syria, Damascus: Minister of Presidential Affairs of Syria Mansour Azzam (L) welcomes Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah at Damascus airport. (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah arrived in Damascus on Tuesday on an official visit where he met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

It marks the first visit by a Saudi FM to Syria since 2011.

Prince Faisal was received at Damascus International Airport by Minister of Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam.

The visit reflects Saudi Arabia’s keenness on reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis and its fallout in a way that preserves the country’s unity, security, stability and national identity and restores it to its Arab fold.

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mikdad had visited Saudi Arabia last week.



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.