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 Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns RSF Attacks on Civilians and Aid Convoys in Sudan

 An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)
An elderly man picks up his food aid ration at the Umdulu Camp, in Engpung County, Sudan, January 30, 2026. (Karl Schembri/Norweigan Refugee Council/Handout via Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Saturday the Rapid Support Forces’ attack against a humanitarian aid convoy in Sudan’s Kordofan.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom expressed its strong condemnation of the attack against Al-Kuweik Military Hospital, a humanitarian aid convoy affiliated with the World Food Program, and a vehicle transporting displaced civilians.

“These acts are unjustifiable under any circumstances and are flagrant violations of all humanitarian norms and relevant international agreements,” it stressed.

“The Kingdom called on the RSF to immediately cease these violations and to fulfill their moral and humanitarian obligations by ensuring the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11, 2023,” it added.

The Kingdom reiterated its firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, security, and stability, the need to preserve its legitimate institutions.

It voiced its rejection of “foreign interference and the continued actions of certain parties in supplying illicit weapons, mercenaries, and foreign fighters, despite their stated support for a political solution,” saying such “conduct is a primary factor in prolonging the conflict and exacerbating the suffering of the Sudanese people.”

A drone attack by the RSF hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors’ group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.

The attack occurred close to the city of Rahad in North Kordofan province, said the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the country’s ongoing war. The vehicle was transporting displaced people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area, the group said in a statement. Among the dead children were two infants.


OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
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OIC Condemns Terrorist Bombing of Mosque in Islamabad

A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)
A Pakistani man reacts as people attend a protest against the suicide bomb blast that killed dozens of people, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 07 February 2026. (EPA)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) General Secretariat strongly condemned on Saturday the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad.

The secretariat stressed its categorical rejection of terrorism in all its forms, especially those targeting places of worship.

It underlined its firm stance in condemning these criminal acts, which are contrary to human values and religious principles.

The OIC offered its sincere condolences to the government and people of Pakistan and to the families of the victims.

It also reiterated its full solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and boost its security and stability.

At least 30 people killed in a suicide bombing at a Muslim mosque during Friday prayers.


Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
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Bahrain, France Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)
Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, France's President Emmanuel Macron and Junior Minister at the Ministry of Defense, Alice Rufo, pose after signing a bilateral agreement at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, February 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/Pool via Reuter)

Bahrain and France signed on Friday a joint defense cooperation agreement during talks between King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The French presidency said the agreement consolidates cooperation in the field of defense, training and exchange of strategic information.

“This agreement will ⁠also open ‌up ‍new ‍opportunities for industrial ‍cooperation in defense, and strengthen solidarity between our two countries in a ⁠global and regional geopolitical context marked by increasing tensions,” it added.

The agreement was signed by Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and France’s Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Alice Rufo.

Macron highlighted the depth of the historical relations between Bahrain and France, as well as the progress achieved across various domains in support of common interests, reported Bahrain’s state news agency (BNA).

For his part, King Hamad commended the French president’s keenness to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The talks also addressed means to bolster bilateral relations across all sectors to achieve shared interests.

Both sides commended the efforts of the Joint Bahraini-French High Committee. They highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in advancing cooperation and underlined the importance of continuing the committee’s work to expand cooperation across various domains.

The talks addressed regional and international developments, and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic solutions and reducing tensions.