Saudi Arabia Reiterates Need to End Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Need to End Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza

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

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the need to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

The Kingdom had declared that position at the Munich Security Conference.

It had called for prioritizing the need to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the enclave. Efforts must be exerted to deliver more humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, it added.

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

The cabinet expressed immense pride in the Kingdom's remarkable three-century legacy on the eve of Founding Day, which is celebrated on February 22.

It highlighted the unity, security and stability enjoyed for generations, which led to constant progress and development. It commended the state's unwavering commitment and steadfastness, and acknowledged the march forward toward a brighter future for the country.

The cabinet was briefed on recent government activities, and highlighted the efforts exerted toward deepening ties with various countries, in pursuit of shared goals and stronger cooperation in diverse fields.

The cabinet praised the successful visit by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to the Kingdom where he held talks with Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

The cabinet stressed that the Kingdom's successful bid to host the 11th session of the World Water Forum in 2027 solidifies its leading role in addressing water issues both regionally and internationally. It reflects the nation's ongoing commitment to achieving sustainable development goals.

The cabinet lauded the outcomes of the World Smart Cities Forum (WSCF) that was held in Riyadh, highlighting the successful launches and signing of memoranda of understanding. The initiatives aim to boost sustainability and improve the quality of life in Saudi cities, aligning with the Kingdom's objective of having at least ten of its cities ranked among the top 50 globally.

The ministers reviewed on the inclusion of three new Saudi cities into the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, attaining the highest growth rate among major tourist destinations worldwide, and leading the Electronic Government Services Index in the Middle East and North Africa.

The achievements underscore the Kingdom's unwavering interest and support for all sectors, aspiring to establish the country as an exemplary model on multiple fronts.



Saudi Industry, Mineral Resources Minister Begins Official Visit to France

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)
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Saudi Industry, Mineral Resources Minister Begins Official Visit to France

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef. (SPA file photo)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, leading a high-level delegation from the industry and mining sector, began an official three-day visit to France on Monday, with scheduled stops in Paris, Marseille, and Toulouse.

The visit aims to strengthen bilateral economic ties and foster cooperation between Saudi Arabia and France in the industrial and mining sectors, as well as explore joint investment opportunities in key strategic areas that the Kingdom is prioritizing for localization, particularly the aviation and food industries.

Alkhorayef will hold a series of bilateral meetings with French government officials and leaders of prominent global French companies in the mining, aircraft manufacturing, and food sectors. The meetings will include discussions with Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty Eric Lombard, as well as the CEOs of Airbus, Safran, Orano, Sidel, Lesaffre, and the Bel Group.

The agenda includes expanding joint cooperation in the industrial and mining sectors, attracting high-quality investments to the Kingdom, and building effective partnerships to leverage the promising opportunities offered by Saudi Arabia’s specialized industrial clusters. The Kingdom's incentives and capabilities available to investors will also be highlighted.

Alkhorayef's visit will feature tours of Airbus's aircraft manufacturing plants in Marseille and Toulouse, providing insights into their industrial facilities and production lines.

The visit is also expected to include the signing of memoranda of understanding with French companies to encourage joint investments, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and promote knowledge transfer in promising industrial sectors.

Saudi Arabia and France maintain strong economic relations, with Saudi non-oil exports to France exceeding SAR1.91 billion in 2024, primarily consisting of machinery and electrical appliances, organic chemical products, and aluminum and its derivatives. French non-oil imports reached SAR18.2 billion in the same year, with essential oils, electrical appliances, and pharmaceutical products among the most significant import sectors.

Alkhorayef's visit to France aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which emphasizes developing international partnerships to boost the competitiveness of the Saudi industrial sector and transform the Kingdom into a leading global industrial power. This includes localizing advanced strategic industries such as aviation and food, attracting high-quality investments, and facilitating the transfer of knowledge, technology, and innovation in these areas.