His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered on Saturday the address of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
At the outset of his speech, His Highness stated that the Kingdom is proud to be a founding member of the United Nations and spares no effort in translating the principles of the UN Charter into tangible reality by upholding international law and promoting international peace and security, stemming from its deep belief in the vital role of the Organization. His Highness emphasized the Kingdom’s commitment to the purposes of the Charter by responding to humanitarian calls and extending aid and generosity, pointing that the Kingdom’s assistance has exceeded 141 billion US dollars, benefiting 174 countries.
His Highness affirmed the Kingdom’s firm stance on the Palestinian issue, stressing that the time has come to find a just and lasting solution. Prince Faisal warned that addressing the issue outside the framework of international law and legitimacy has perpetuated violence and deepened suffering. His Highness also stressed that “the international community’s failure to take firm measures to end Israeli aggression and violations will only undermine regional and global security and stability, open the door to grave consequences, and escalate war crimes and acts of genocide.”
His Highness also highlighted the Kingdom’s continued efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue, including its initiative in cooperation with the Kingdom of Norway and the European Union to launch the International Coalition for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, as well as co-chairing with the French Republic the International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Palestinian Question and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which constitutes a clear path leading to ending the occupation and conflict. His Highness praised the countries that recognized the Palestinian state, and the Palestinian Authority's move to implement important reforms that deserve further support and empowerment from the international community.
His Highness further stressed the importance of adhering to the framework of non-proliferation and preventing a nuclear arms race in the region, safeguarding the security, navigation, and freedom of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and international straits, and combating terrorism and its sources of funding. His Highness also cautioned against the military applications of artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons systems, underscoring the urgent need to establish international laws to regulate them.
His Highness commended the positive steps taken by the Syrian Arab Republic to reinforce security and stability, reaffirmed the Kingdom’s keenness to restore security and stability in the Republic of Yemen, and highlighted its continued efforts to support the Yemeni economy and alleviate humanitarian suffering, underscoring that the Kingdom remains the largest donor to Yemen. Prince Faisal further underlined the Kingdom’s commitment to Sudan’s stability, unity, and territorial integrity, stressing the importance of maintaining dialogue through the Jeddah platform, and rejecting any measures outside the framework of state institutions that could undermine Sudan’s unity or fail to reflect the will of its people. The Foreign Minister also reiterated the Kingdom’s support for a Libyan-Libyan solution in Libya that preserves its unity and enhances efforts to combat terrorism.
His Highness affirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity with Lebanon and appreciation for the Lebanese state’s efforts to implement the Taif Agreement, uphold state sovereignty, and ensure that arms remain solely in the hands of the Lebanese state and its legitimate institutions.
Concluding his address, His Highness pointed to the Kingdom’s long-term development trajectory under Vision 2030, highlighting achievements in empowering youth and women, promoting values of tolerance, expanding avenues of international cooperation, reducing unemployment, and increasing women’s participation in the labor market. The Foreign Minister also underscored the Kingdom’s pioneering initiatives to address climate change and combat desertification and drought, including the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, in addition to announcing the establishment of the “World Water Organization,” headquartered in Riyadh. These efforts, His Highness affirmed, reflect the Kingdom’s commitment to sustainable development and to achieving a balance between development and climate, thereby contributing to the protection of the global climate system.
