Saudi Arabia Takes over Presidency of G20 Meetings

Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting on November 22, 2019, in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | AP
Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting on November 22, 2019, in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | AP
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Saudi Arabia Takes over Presidency of G20 Meetings

Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting on November 22, 2019, in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | AP
Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting on November 22, 2019, in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan | AP

Foreign ministers from the Group of 20 major economies gathered for their last meeting in the Japanese city of Nagoya before moving the presidency to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the next G20 summit in November 2020.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Nagoya to represent the Kingdom at the meeting, which is the last to be held under Japanese chairmanship.

On the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting, the Saudi minister held a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts and officials from other countries. Among the officials he met was Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.

During these meetings, the top Saudi diplomat discussed issues of mutual interest, ways of enhancing cooperation and developing bilateral relations.

The two-day event — the last of the eight ministerial G20 meetings to be chaired by Japan this year — was attended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan.

Attending foreign ministers discussed free trade, sustainable development, and ways to best assist rapidly growing economies in Africa.

The G20 meeting in Nagoya will likely see the foreign ministers briefly explain their official positions on issues rather than seek a consensus on any particular hot topic issue.

The plenary session on Saturday will provide a good opportunity for participants to discuss controversial reform proposals being put forward by the World Trade Organization.

The Japanese Foreign Minister stressed that all the topics discussed tackled very important challenges faced by the international community, noting that his country has begun actively to address these issues.



Kuwait Foils Biggest Drug Operation in Its History

Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. (KUNA)
Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. (KUNA)
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Kuwait Foils Biggest Drug Operation in Its History

Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. (KUNA)
Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. (KUNA)

Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, announced on Wednesday the foiling of the largest drug bust in Kuwait's history, consisting of approximately 5 tons of raw "Lyrica" powder and nearly 4 million capsules ready for sale, worth around 150 million Kuwaiti dinars, or around $486.8 million US dollars.

Speaking as part of a national drug prevention campaign, he said that Tuesday's bust also included an integrated factory for producing the psychotropic substance Lyrica, alongside equipment for filling and distributing capsules.

The bust reflects the magnitude of the danger of drugs to society, he added.

"The quantity seized was ready to be sold, but the suspect did not act to distribute it out of fear of falling under the jurisdiction of the new law."

Al-Yousef stressed that the new drug law "has contributed to boosting deterrence, making drug dealers think twice before attempting to harm any citizen or resident on Kuwaiti soil."

"Combating drugs is at the forefront of the Ministry of Interior's priorities, which continues to crack down on smugglers and distributors, tighten surveillance and seizure measures, and dry up the sources of this scourge," he said.


Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences over Tragic PIMS Hospital Fire in Pakistan

People gather outside a nursery in the gynecology ward following a fire at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP)
People gather outside a nursery in the gynecology ward following a fire at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP)
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Saudi Arabia Offers Condolences over Tragic PIMS Hospital Fire in Pakistan

People gather outside a nursery in the gynecology ward following a fire at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP)
People gather outside a nursery in the gynecology ward following a fire at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. (AP)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of those who died, as well as to the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, following the tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in Islamabad, which claimed the lives of several newborn babies, SPA reported.

In a statement, the ministry said Saudi Arabia stands in solidarity with the victims' families and the government and people of Pakistan following this tragic incident, wishing Pakistan and its people security and safety.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes Integration of SDF into Syrian Military Institutions

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Integration of SDF into Syrian Military Institutions
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Integration of SDF into Syrian Military Institutions

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Integration of SDF into Syrian Military Institutions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's welcome of the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the Syrian Arab Republic's military institutions, noting that the move would contribute to enhancing security and stability in Syria and for its brotherly people, SPA reported.

In a statement, the ministry said that the Kingdom reiterates its support for the steps taken by the Syrian government to fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people and continue the path toward unity and development.

The Kingdom also wished the Syrian Arab Republic and its brotherly people security, peace, and prosperity.