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Iran's Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ready to Cooperate with Saudi Arabia to Support Palestine

Iran's Ambassador to Riyadh Ali Reza Enayati (IRNA)
Iran's Ambassador to Riyadh Ali Reza Enayati (IRNA)
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Iran's Ambassador to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ready to Cooperate with Saudi Arabia to Support Palestine

Iran's Ambassador to Riyadh Ali Reza Enayati (IRNA)
Iran's Ambassador to Riyadh Ali Reza Enayati (IRNA)

Iran is ready to cooperate with Saudi Arabia to support the Palestinian people, said Ambassador to Riyadh Ali Reza Enayati.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Enayati said Tehran supports any initiative or collective action to stop the aggression on the Gaza Strip, prevent the expansion of the unjust war against the defenseless Palestinian people, and halt more destruction and bloodshed.

He confirmed that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will participate on Sunday in the Extraordinary Islamic Summit called for by Saudi Arabia to discuss the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the tragic conditions of the Palestinians.

Raisi's visit to Saudi Arabia is the first by an Iranian President since the return of diplomatic relations between the two countries in March 2023, under the auspices of China.

The Ambassador asserted that Iran was ready for an influential role in formulating a unified position against the Israeli occupation and supporting the Palestinian people in cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the concerned parties, and regional and international organizations.

He pointed out that Iran participated in the meeting of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah within the framework of Tehran's role in supporting the Palestinian cause.

According to diplomatic sources, the Iranian president plans to hold meetings with the Saudi leadership on the sidelines of his participation in the Extraordinary Islamic Summit.

The sources, who refused to be named, said the meetings have yet to be confirmed, but there are efforts to arrange that without giving further details.

In previous statements, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan confirmed that the Saudi-Iranian agreement to restore diplomatic relations confirmed the common desire of both sides "to resolve differences through communication and dialogue."

He stressed that it does not mean resolving all the "differences between the two countries."

Bin Farhan stressed that the most crucial requirement for opening a new page with Iran is a commitment to the agreement stipulated in the Saudi-Iranian-Chinese tripartite statement.

The Minister added that there was no doubt that the interest of the two countries and the region lies in activating paths of cooperation and coordination and focusing on development priorities in a way that leads to realizing the aspirations and hopes of both peoples and the young generations for a better future dominated by security, stability, and prosperity.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.