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Yemenis Begin Drawing Roadmap Towards Peace

A general view shows a conference on Yemen's war hosted by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in the Saudi capital Riyadh on March 30, 2022. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP)
A general view shows a conference on Yemen's war hosted by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in the Saudi capital Riyadh on March 30, 2022. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP)
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Yemenis Begin Drawing Roadmap Towards Peace

A general view shows a conference on Yemen's war hosted by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in the Saudi capital Riyadh on March 30, 2022. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP)
A general view shows a conference on Yemen's war hosted by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council in the Saudi capital Riyadh on March 30, 2022. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP)

The Yemenis kickstarted a marathon of consultations that included most of the war-torn country’s parties, components, and personalities, amid Yemeni, regional, and international optimism. Talks sought drafting a roadmap that would move Yemen from the state of war to peace.

While diplomats and officials affirmed that holding intra-Yemeni consultations is a positive step in the right direction towards achieving comprehensive peace in the country, participants at the talks considered the Gulf invitation as an opportunity reflecting the interests of Yemen that should not be neglected.

In his opening speech at the talks, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Nayef Al-Hajraf emphasized that the Riyadh Agreement represents a roadmap and a Yemeni national entitlement, where the completion of its items is a Yemeni requirement.

Al-Hajraf stressed there is no solution but the peaceful one, and that the war with all its hardships cannot realize the envisioned security and stability, expressing hope for the consultations to mark the start of a year of relief for people.

The secretary general said that intra-Yemeni consultations with their six axes (political, economic and development, relief and humanitarian, social, and media aspects) represent a platform for Yemenis to diagnose the reality and understand its difficulties, predict the future and prepare for its challenges and plan practical steps that move Yemen from the state of war and woes to the state of peace and hopes.

Al-Hajraf said that the success of the consultations is not an option rather a duty that requires all to feel the national responsibility and discard all reasons of division and domestic differences and to effectively contribute to realizing the required and urgent national reconciliation necessary to build a clear future map to restore stability in Yemen and achieve the development and welfare of its people.

He praised international community efforts for ending the conflict in Yemen and valued the Saudi-led Arab Coalition’s call for a ceasefire.

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hussein Ibrahim Taha said dialogue is the only way to resolve the eight-year conflict in Yemen.

“The Yemeni people have the right to aspire to a decent life and a better future,” he added.

For his part, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said that there is an urgent need to support a comprehensive solution in Yemen, pointing to the importance of cooperation with regional organizations to contribute to solving the Yemeni crisis.

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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)
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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.