Saudi Arabia Stresses Support to Resolve Crises in Syria, Sudan

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Support to Resolve Crises in Syria, Sudan

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government underscored on Tuesday the Kingdom’s keenness on supporting all efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The ministers added that the political solution in Syria must preserve the country’s unity, security, stability and Arab identity.

The government welcomed the Arab League’s decision to reinstate Syria’s membership in the organization.

It also underlined the Kingdom's diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to resolve the crisis in Sudan.

It noted Riyadh’s offering of aid worth $100 million to the people of Sudan during their plight. It also kicked off a fundraising campaign to gather donations for the people, reflecting the Kingdom’s pioneering humanitarian role.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari said that the Cabinet commended the Kingdom's success in evacuating its citizens and nationals of other countries stranded in Sudan. They were transported to the Kingdom with the highest levels of efficiency and competence.

These efforts are part of the Kingdom's exercising its duty towards its citizens everywhere, and its solidarity with all peoples of the world.

The cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's commitment, made during its participation in the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, to work with international and regional partners to find solutions to climate issues, including developing carbon management techniques, reducing carbon and other gas emissions in the energy sector, and limiting deforestation.

The cabinet commended Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on his announcement of the launch of four special economic zones, in Riyadh, Jazan, Ras Al-Khair and King Abdullah Economic City, with the aim of developing and diversifying the economy and improving the investment environment, making the Kingdom a leading global investment destination.

The minister said the cabinet reviewed the performance indicators of the state's general budget during the first quarter of 2023, including total revenues, expenditures and public debt. The figures reflect the robust financial position of the Kingdom, bolstered by continued economic reforms, which helps realize the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs.

The cabinet praised the Kingdom for having acted with the highest level of responsibility, seriousness and innovation to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, which reflects its keenness to secure the safety of the population and to become a global model in dealing with pandemics.



GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
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GCC-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue Focuses on Strengthening Cooperation

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA
The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue held in Kuwait. Photo: KUNA

Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers and their counterparts from Central Asia discussed in Kuwait on Wednesday consolidating cooperation in several fields.

The Third Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council-Central Asia Strategic Dialogue focused on enhancing the strong relations between the GCC and Central Asian countries and discussed a joint action plan to advance cooperation in the political, economic, cultural, and tourism sectors.
Preparations were also reviewed for the upcoming summit between the GCC and Central Asian countries, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, next month. This summit follows the inaugural one held in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah attended the meeting.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya said the meeting marks a significant milestone in establishing a sustainable partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.

Speaking at a joint press conference with GCC Secretary-General Jassem Al-Budaiwi after the meeting, Al-Yahya, current President of the GCC Ministerial Council, highlighted the growing historical, cultural, and human ties between the two regions, and emphasized the shared political will to strengthen strategic cooperation.

The meeting focused on several key areas of priority, including enhancing economic and trade cooperation, encouraging investment, and developing sectors such as transport and energy, clean energy transitions, green economies, and modern technologies, Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

Discussions also focused on food and water security, digital infrastructure, and artificial intelligence, aiming to support stability and sustainable development.

On political and security matters, the foreign minister stressed the importance of consultation and coordination on shared challenges, especially in combating terrorism, extremism, and cyber threats, and praised the GCC Secretariat for its role in advancing joint action mechanisms.

Regarding regional and international issues, Al-Yahya reaffirmed the GCC's steadfast support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 border with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On his part, Al-Budaiwi said that both the GCC and Central Asian states are committed to advancing cooperation across various sectors, as outlined in the Joint Action Plan for 2023-27.

He stated that the meeting included an exchange of views on regional and global developments, particularly the Israeli occupation's violations against the Palestinian people, and reiterated the GCC's rejection of these violations and called on the international community to act decisively in support of Palestinian rights, including the establishment of a sovereign state.