Saudi Arabia Celebrates National Day

Saudi Arabia Celebrates National Day
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Saudi Arabia Celebrates National Day

Saudi Arabia Celebrates National Day

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will celebrate the 87th anniversary of its National Day on Saturday amid increasing regional challenges.

On this day, late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman declared the unification of the country under the name of "Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" on the 19th of the month of Jumada I of 1351 AH. The unification was achieved after 32 years of struggle during which late King Abdulaziz laid strong foundations for the Kingdom adhering to the teachings of his ancestors.

On this occasion, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, delivered a speech commending the Kingdom’s growth and prosperity under the great leadership of King Salman.

The Prince said that this great anniversary happens while the Kingdom witnesses a glorious era and a blessed renaissance with more security and stability under the great leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

He affirmed that the 87th anniversary of the Kingdom's unification is an occasion to recall the achievements of the founder and builder of our country's renaissance, late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman.

“We thank Allah Almighty for honoring this country for the service and care of the two holy mosques and their pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors, so it has exploited all its capabilities to achieve this great message. We also thank Allah Almighty for the blessing and giving of security, safety, tranquility and prosperity of our country whose success depends on adhering to the Holy Quran and the teachings of Sunnah of His Messenger as an approach in all matters and dealings,” the Crown Prince reiterated.

In his speech, the Crown Prince said: “We thank Him for the abundant resources, potential and qualified human resources of our country and its strategic position qualifying it to be among the world's top developed countries, leading us to maintain our gains and continue to work for further progress and success.”

The Crown Prince stated that what the Kingdom is witnessing today is due to King Salman’s efforts to continue what has been done by the former kings of this country.

The Crown Prince lauded the role of King Salman and his outstanding deed in the service of his people, the homeland and the nation.

He asserted the Kingdom’s effective and influential status and role at regional and international levels, with its commitment to work for the achievement of international peace and security and its pursuit for the good of all humanity.

The Crown Prince also mentioned that as an active member of the Economic Group of Twenty (G20), which includes the world's strongest economies, “we aspire the Kingdom becomes a pioneering model at all levels, depending on the role of male and female young citizens in this regard with the strive for the achievement of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which marks the beginning of a new phase of development and hard work for future advancement as well as the pursuit for everything in the interest of the country and continues moving closer to top-ranked developed countries, while adhering to the principles of our religion and our noble values.”

The Prince stated that under the leadership of the Custodian the country affirmed its right to uphold the truth and commitment to its principles to achieve justice as well as its quest for the achievement of regional security and world peace.

Crown Prince Mohammed commended the efforts of the protectors of the country and its heroic soldiers who risk their lives to save their religion and homeland, as well as the efforts of the security forces to maintain the security of the country.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman became an influential leading person through the success he achieved and his outstanding presence on the political, social, and economic arenas in the Kingdom.

Due to the Prince’s efforts and leadership of King Salman, Saudi Arabia launched the initiative to restore legitimacy in Yemen through operations “Decisive Storm” and “Restoring Hope”.

The prince also announced Saudi Arabia’s adoption of the Islamic Military Alliance to Combat Terrorism headquartered in Riyadh. He also toured several countries around the world and discussed several issues on the Arab, Islamic, and international arenas.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the “godfather” of Saudi Vision 2030 set as a road-map for Saudi Arabia’s economic development.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif also delivered a speech during which he considered the National Day “an occasion to understand the true meaning of pride and respect for the efforts exerted by our ancestors to achieve development, growth and prosperity, which was the founder king’s wish.”

The Prince stated that stability is one of the best things in the Kingdom, the most important factor that helped the state grow, thrive and develop to become an internationally pioneering state.

“Since its establishment, the Kingdom has exerted all possible efforts to serve Saudis, expatriates, and pilgrims from all over the world, and preserve the sacred sites. It faced the most difficult and dangerous challenges that threatened the security of many states, such as terrorism that disrupted regional stability and security,” Prince Abdulaziz asserted.

“However, the Kingdom was able to thwart many terrorist plans and dismantle terrorist networks thanks to the government’s support of the Ministry of Interior and the security forces,” he concluded.



SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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SDRPY Hosts Yemen Partners Group with UN and International Participation

Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials are seen at the SDRPY-hosted meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY) hosted in Riyadh on Wednesday a meeting of the Yemen Partners Group (YPG), co-chaired by the Yemeni government, United Kingdom, and World Bank, with the participation of the United Nations and international organizations.

Yemeni Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Dr. Shaya Mohsin Zindani; UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg; UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen Julien Harneis and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and SDRPY Supervisor General Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, as well as a number of ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and donor entities attended the meeting.

Zindani expressed confidence in the new government and its clearly defined priorities that it will work to implement, which will help achieve stability and economic recovery.

He stressed the government’s aim to maximize benefit from the vital projects and initiatives provided by Saudi Arabia through the SDRPY, which offers important support for basic sectors and for boosting development efforts across Yemen.

Zindani expressed his appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its continued support to Yemen, commending the level of cooperation with the SDRPY and its efforts in supporting and empowering national institutions.

For his part, Grundberg emphasized the importance of the development projects provided by the Kingdom, particularly at this stage, noting positive indicators in Yemen, especially improvements in energy-sector stability.

Governor of the Central Bank Ahmed Ghaleb reviewed the bank’s priorities, stressing its commitment to transparency, the need to combat inflation, and the importance of international coordination and support to address challenges.

Al Jaber underscored the importance of continuing joint efforts to overcome obstacles facing peace and development in Yemen under the leadership of the Yemeni government.

The meeting is an important opportunity to learn about the priorities of the government and Central Bank, strengthening coordination to ensure that development and financial support is directed efficiently and effectively, and to assist donor entities and international organizations in aligning their interventions with the government’s priorities, he added.

The meeting reviewed a package of Saudi development projects worth SAR1.9 billion provided to Yemen in January, which helped boost energy-sector stability through the fuel derivatives grant, ensuring the continued operation of hospitals and vital service facilities.

It reviewed other development projects and initiatives scheduled for delivery during the coming period.


Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Letter on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Letter on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov meet in Riyadh on Wednesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a letter from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on bilateral relations and ways to support and boost them across various fields.

The message was received on behalf of the Foreign Minister by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji during a meeting in Riyadh with Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov.

They reviewed bilateral relations and discussed issues of mutual interest.


NAUDI Chairman to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ukraine Aims to Resume, Expand Defense Cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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NAUDI Chairman to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ukraine Aims to Resume, Expand Defense Cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi revealed that Kyiv was counting on Saudi Arabia to achieve peace and stability in Ukraine given its role as a “significant and authoritative regional leader”.

In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said: “We aim in the near future to define concrete plans for the renewal and further expansion of Ukrainian-Saudi defense cooperation.”

He made his remarks as NAUDI took part in the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh.

“We are open to considering opportunities for establishing joint ventures, developing specific technologies, and localizing production on the territory of Saudi Arabia. We are ready to deepen cooperation that has been actively developing since 2014,” Pashynskyi said.

“Our participation in World Defense Show 2026 has a clear objective: to demonstrate the technological capability of Ukraine’s defense sector, which has undergone real testing in wartime conditions. At the joint NAUDI stand, we present our latest developments with confirmed combat experience, share practical insights into their operational use, and discuss tactics of employment,” he explained.

“Today, member companies of the Association already maintain dozens of international contracts in the format of industrial cooperation, and the geography of our partnerships continues to expand. This is precisely the message we seek to convey to our international and regional partners,” he stated.

Saudi-Ukrainian military cooperation

Commenting on military cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, he said: “Prior to the full-scale invasion, there was active and effective cooperation between Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex and the Kingdom’s defense institutions and companies.”

“We are interested in restoring these contacts. In line with the position of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, regarding controlled exports, we aim in the near future to define concrete plans for the renewal and further expansion of Ukrainian-Saudi defense cooperation,” he went on to say.

Moreover, Pashynskyi revealed that an official intergovernmental agreement between the Ukrainian and Saudi governments on cooperation in the field of defense was signed in Kyiv on February 5, 2020, and duly approved by the respective governments.

“The agreement establishes a comprehensive legal framework for bilateral defense interaction. It covers cooperation between the defense industries of both countries, military education and personnel training, exchange of information in the field of defense technologies, transfer of specific military technologies and equipment, including electronic, radar, and telecommunications systems, as well as issues related to defense medical support,” he explained.

“Ukraine highly values the principled and consistent position of Saudi Arabia, which is based on unwavering respect for the provisions of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law, particularly with regard to ensuring territorial integrity and protecting state sovereignty,” he added.

“An important moral and humanitarian component of Ukrainian-Saudi relations is the Kingdom’s sincere solidarity with the Ukrainian people, which is reflected in the humanitarian assistance provided, particularly to support internally displaced persons,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Ukrainian products at the World Defense Show

Elaborating on the Ukrainian products displayed at the World Defense Show, Pashynskyi said: “NAUDI member companies produce a full spectrum of defense products, from 7-inch FPV drones to the Bohdana self-propelled artillery system, which is physically displayed at the exhibition.”

“Ukraine has become a global pioneer in the mass combat use of FPV drones, as well as in the development and deployment of maritime unmanned platforms. We possess unique and extremely valuable experience in operating these systems under real combat conditions,” he stressed. “The private sector accounts for more than 70% of Ukraine’s total defense-industrial production.”

Among the key exhibits are the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer, manufactured in significant quantities by the company Ukrainian Armor and actively employed in combat operations; the Varta armored vehicle; the Protector unmanned ground system; the MAC maritime drone; reconnaissance UAVs Shark, PD-2, mini Shark, and Furia; the Krechet air defense command-and-control system; heavy drones Kazhan and Shmavik; UAV munitions produced by UBM; FPV drones manufactured by General Cherry; and electronic warfare systems developed by Piranya Tech.

Preserving lives

Pashynskyi revealed that more than 50% of the needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces are currently met by the domestic defense-industrial complex, from FPV drones to cruise missiles, 155-mm artillery systems, ammunition, electronic warfare (EW) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems.

“According to last year’s results, NAUDI member companies supplied the Defense Forces with products worth approximately EUR 4 billion,” he said. “Since 2022, the industry has undergone large-scale relocation and deployment of new production facilities. Today, Ukraine is without exaggeration one of the world’s leaders in the pace of weapons and ammunition production.”

“Our primary priority is preserving the lives of service members. That is why special emphasis is placed on unmanned systems that enhance soldier effectiveness without replacing the soldier,” he continued.

“A key advantage is the direct connection with frontline units. This allows manufacturers to receive real-time feedback and rapidly modernize their solutions. While R&D processes in other countries may take years, for Ukrainian companies the path from concept to serial production often takes just 3 to 6 months.”

“Some companies have increased FPV drone production from several thousand units in 2023 to over 500,000 units in 2025 and these are not isolated cases,” Pashynskyi revealed.