Guterres Calls on Developed Countries to Fulfill Promise, Support Developing Nations

A memorial photo of the leaders of the countries participating in the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha (Reuters)
A memorial photo of the leaders of the countries participating in the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha (Reuters)
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Guterres Calls on Developed Countries to Fulfill Promise, Support Developing Nations

A memorial photo of the leaders of the countries participating in the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha (Reuters)
A memorial photo of the leaders of the countries participating in the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in Doha (Reuters)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed the need to reform the global financial system and urged international financial institutions to devise ways to provide financing. He also urged developed countries to provide support to vulnerable nations to raise their ability to confront and adapt to climate change and allow a smooth transition to renewable energy.

To provide the necessary support, Guterres urged developed countries to fulfil their $100 billion promise to developing countries.

Speaking at the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, known as LDC5, taking place in the Qatar capital from 5 to 9 March, Guterres announced that he will host a Climate Ambition Summit at UN Headquarters in September to move from words to action and “to deliver climate justice to those on the frontlines of the crisis”.

The anticipated summit will offer an opportunity for international solidarity in confronting climate change and provide financial and technical support to ensure the transition of emerging economies to renewable energy sources.

Guterres stressed that LDCs are stuck in a wave of crises, uncertainty, climate chaos and historical global injustice, and are unable to catch up with the rapid technological changes.

Systems employed in LDCs are stretched or non-existent – from health and education to social protection, infrastructure, and job creation, noted the UN chief.

He said that the global financial system, created by wealthy countries to serve their own interests, is extremely unfair to LDCs, who must pay interest rates that can be eight times higher than those in developed countries.

“Today, 25 developing economies are spending over 20% of government revenues solely on servicing debt,” said Guterres.

In the face of such deep challenges, the UN chief stated that the LDCs “need a revolution of support” across three key areas.

The three areas mentioned by Guterres include immediate aid to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), provide an incentive package for the SDGs, and provide at least $500 billion annually to developing countries.

For his part, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, affirmed that there is a shared global responsibility in facing the challenges of food security, climate change, the energy crisis, and the debt crisis.

The Gulf State leader reiterated the need for international solidarity in combating crises worldwide.

“There is a moral obligation incumbent upon the rich and developed countries to contribute more to assist the least developed countries to overcome the global challenges we are now dealing with,” the Emir noted.UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stressed the need to reform the global financial system and urged international financial institutions to devise ways to provide financing. He also urged developed countries to provide support to vulnerable nations to raise their ability to confront and adapt to climate change and allow a smooth transition to renewable energy.

To provide the necessary support, Guterres urged developed countries to fulfil their $100 billion promise to developing countries.

Speaking at the Fifth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries, known as LDC5, taking place in the Qatar capital from 5 to 9 March, Guterres announced that he will host a Climate Ambition Summit at UN Headquarters in September to move from words to action and “to deliver climate justice to those on the frontlines of the crisis”.

The anticipated summit will offer an opportunity for international solidarity in confronting climate change and provide financial and technical support to ensure the transition of emerging economies to renewable energy sources.

Guterres stressed that LDCs are stuck in a wave of crises, uncertainty, climate chaos and historical global injustice, and are unable to catch up with the rapid technological changes.

Systems employed in LDCs are stretched or non-existent – from health and education to social protection, infrastructure, and job creation, noted the UN chief.

He said that the global financial system, created by wealthy countries to serve their own interests, is extremely unfair to LDCs, who must pay interest rates that can be eight times higher than those in developed countries.

“Today, 25 developing economies are spending over 20% of government revenues solely on servicing debt,” said Guterres.

In the face of such deep challenges, the UN chief stated that the LDCs “need a revolution of support” across three key areas.

The three areas mentioned by Guterres include immediate aid to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), provide an incentive package for the SDGs, and provide at least $500 billion annually to developing countries.

For his part, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, affirmed that there is a shared global responsibility in facing the challenges of food security, climate change, the energy crisis, and the debt crisis.

The Gulf State leader reiterated the need for international solidarity in combating crises worldwide.

“There is a moral obligation incumbent upon the rich and developed countries to contribute more to assist the least developed countries to overcome the global challenges we are now dealing with,” the Emir noted.



Saudi FM Receives Message on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi FM Receives Message on Bilateral Ties from Russian Counterpart 

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Saudi Foreign Ministry)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov congratulated each other on Thursday on the centenary of diplomatic relations between their countries.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji received, on behalf of the foreign minister, a letter from Lavrov during a meeting with Russian Ambassador to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh.

The diplomats exchanged congratulations on the centenary of diplomatic relations and discussed several issues of common interest.


Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Former CENTCOM Commander with King Abdulaziz Medal 

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
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Saudi Defense Minister Decorates Former CENTCOM Commander with King Abdulaziz Medal 

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla during the ceremony in Riyadh on Thursday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz bestowed on Thursday the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellent Class upon former Commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) retired General Michael Kurilla.

The medal was awarded at the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The ceremony took place at the defense minister's office in Riyadh.


Saudi Crown Prince Performs Prayers at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Performs Prayers at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah 

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and other officials perform prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, visited the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah on Friday to perform prayers.

He received upon his arrival by President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfig Al-Rabiah, and a number of the mosque's imams and preachers.

Crown Prince Mohammed was accompanied by Governor of the Madinah Region Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Riyadh Region Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Madinah Region Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Prince Saud bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, and several other officials.

Earlier, in Riyadh, Crown Prince Mohammed received at the Al-Yamamah Palace Saudi Arabia's grand mufti, several princes, scholars, ministers, and a number of citizens who came to extend their congratulations on the occasion of Ramadan. 

The Crown Prince prayed to Allah Almighty to accept everyone's fasting and righteous deeds, and to bless the Kingdom with continued security, stability, and prosperity under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.