Saudi FM: Saudi Participation in G20 Rome Summit Represents 'Continuation of Roadmap for Collective Action’

Saudi Arabia’s FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends G20 Leaders’ Summit. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends G20 Leaders’ Summit. (SPA)
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Saudi FM: Saudi Participation in G20 Rome Summit Represents 'Continuation of Roadmap for Collective Action’

Saudi Arabia’s FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends G20 Leaders’ Summit. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan attends G20 Leaders’ Summit. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday highlighted the importance of the Kingdom’s membership in the G20 and added that the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Italy’s capital Rome was picking up where the Kingdom’s presidency had left off last year.

Prince Faisal praised the Italian efforts and achievements during its presidency of the G20 in 2021, picking up from what was adopted during the Kingdom’s presidency last year to support the group’s efforts in achieving international cooperation in the face of the global challenges.

The Saudi FM highlighted the importance of the Kingdom’s membership in the G20, citing the country’s “great economic power and influence, which makes it an influential party in drawing global economic policies.”

Saudi Arabia’s participation in this year’s G20 is a “continuation of the roadmap for joint collective action undertaken by all member states,” he added.

Prince Faisal stressed the international interest in multilateral cooperation to reach sustainable development goals through global forums such as the G20.

This is in addition to doubling joint international efforts for faster recovery from the challenges ahead, restoring global economic growth, promoting global health, and restoring stability in all aspects of life.

Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat also emphasized the importance of international cooperation in trade and investment to help increase economic growth, development, innovation, and job creation in various countries.

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said it was essential to address climate change, adding that there’s a need to protect the environment, citing the Kingdom’s efforts in this regard through the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative.

The Middle East Green Initiative summit, which was held recently in Riyadh, represented a “launching pad for cooperation with the Kingdom’s international partners in raising the level of joint action in climate diplomacy,” SPA reported the minister as saying.

More so, Prince Faisal said the G20 this year, under the Italian presidency, discussed humanity, the planet, and prosperity, a matter that contributed to achieving global goals, advancing the wheel of prosperity in all countries, preserving people, the earth, and the environment to achieve the aspirations of all peoples.

It underlined the importance of taking the necessary steps and intensifying international efforts to provide safe and sufficient food for all countries, setting up faster mechanisms for adapting agriculture and food systems to climate change, and increasing investments that stimulate food security, sustainable food systems, and regional development.

Meanwhile, Prince Faisal reiterated the priority of peace and security in the African continent for the Kingdom.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s support for regional and international efforts in close cooperation with the African Union to lay the foundations for stability, security, and conflict resolution.

He expressed the Kingdom’s aspiration to unite global efforts to advance African countries’ status and increase investment in health, education, infrastructure, technology, public services, and development sectors to achieve prosperity, progress, and development in Africa.

Prince Faisal extended his appreciation to the Italian presidency for its keenness this year in rallying efforts to continue facing global challenges and working towards building a promising future for all countries.

He expressed his confidence that the success of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in the Italian capital, Rome, will yield many positive results that will serve the future of the world and its peoples and contribute to solving the most critical files, challenges, and international issues.



Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
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Iranian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Committed to Peace and Stability with Saudi Arabia

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi (Reuters)

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi reaffirmed Iran and Saudi Arabia’s mutual determination to establish lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat during his visit to Riyadh, Ravanchi emphasized that achieving this goal requires sustained bilateral and regional cooperation to address current threats and build a foundation for prosperity and security.
During his meetings with the Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed ElKhereiji, Ravanchi discussed strengthening bilateral relations in political, economic, and consular fields, and explored key regional and international issues.
He described Saudi-Iranian efforts as a “successful model of bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” aimed at fostering peace, security, and development on both regional and international levels. Ravanchi underscored the importance of historical ties and the principle of good neighborliness as the basis for advancing this relationship.
Following the second meeting of the Saudi-Chinese-Iranian trilateral committee in Riyadh, both Saudi Arabia and Iran reiterated their full commitment to implementing the Beijing Agreement, according to a statement by the Saudi foreign ministry. The accord, mediated by China, aims to restore diplomatic ties and promote mutual respect for sovereignty and security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and international law.
China praised the progress achieved since the agreement’s signing, including the reopening of embassies and increased bilateral engagement. It pledged to continue supporting Saudi-Iranian efforts to deepen their cooperation and maintain regional stability.
Ravanchi, who previously served as Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations and was a member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team with the P5+1, described the atmosphere of the meetings as “cordial and transparent.” He added that the three nations exchanged views on topics of mutual interest and stressed the importance of continuing this “positive and forward-looking process.” He also revealed “constructive and friendly” meetings held by the Iranian delegation with their Saudi hosts and Chinese counterparts, during which they discussed enhancing bilateral and trilateral cooperation and reviewed developments in relations over the past year.
One significant development has been the improvement in consular services. Over 87,000 Iranian pilgrims performed Hajj, and more than 52,000 completed Umrah in the past year, demonstrating enhanced coordination. Additionally, the first meeting of the Saudi-Iranian Joint Media Committee and the signing of an MoU between Saudi Arabia’s Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies and Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies further strengthened institutional ties.
The trilateral meeting also tackled pressing regional challenges, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The participants condemned Israel’s aggression in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the continuation of humanitarian aid to affected regions. They warned that ongoing violence poses significant risks to regional and global security, including threats to maritime safety.
On Yemen, the parties reiterated their support for a comprehensive political solution under United Nations auspices. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace in the war-torn country.
Saudi-Iranian relations have undergone a remarkable transformation since the signing of the Beijing Agreement. The reopening of embassies, including Iran’s embassy in Riyadh in June after a seven-year hiatus, marked a turning point in their ties.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Alireza Bigdeli described the day as a “historic milestone” in Saudi-Iranian relations. He expressed confidence that the renewed relationship would reach its peak, emphasizing that the restoration of ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia opens a new chapter in bilateral and regional relations, aimed at greater cooperation and stability.