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In his address to the conference titled Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy, Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji emphasized strengthening dialogue, building mutual trust and expanding regional cooperation as core elements of Saudi policy. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Al-Khuraiji, standing in for Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, recognized ASEAN’s vital contribution to peace, stability and prosperity across Southeast Asia. He welcomed outcomes from recent ASEAN summits that advanced economic integration and tackled shared challenges, according to the ministry’s account of the event. The ministry further detailed how Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to deepening its partnership with ASEAN, drawing on momentum from prior ASEAN-GCC summits to pursue new avenues for growth and resilience.
Al-Khuraiji reiterated calls for dialogue, diplomacy and de-escalation as the sole route to lasting regional stability, the Foreign Ministry stated. He condemned Iran’s unlawful strikes on oil and gas tankers as well as critical infrastructure and civilian sites in the Gulf region. The deputy minister underscored every state’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, according to the official briefing on his remarks.
The ministry’s summary of the speech noted Al-Khuraiji’s rejection of false Houthi militia allegations that Saudi Arabia had imposed a blockade on Yemen. He denounced repeated Houthi attacks targeting civilians and essential infrastructure in the country. The deputy minister expressed Saudi Arabia’s unwavering support for the Yemeni people and their legitimate government, the ministry reported.
Al-Khuraiji highlighted how Saudi Vision 2030 places cooperation above confrontation and treats economic partnerships as foundations for peace and shared prosperity, per the Foreign Ministry. Saudi Arabia acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia on July 12, 2023, becoming the 51st signatory and opening pathways for closer institutional alignment with the bloc, according to records from the ASEAN Secretariat. As a TAC party the Kingdom shares responsibility for promoting multilateral cooperation, preventive diplomacy, freedom of navigation and dialogue-based dispute resolution, the ministry added.
The conference in the Philippine capital drew participation from multiple partners, including Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Faisal Al-Ghamdi who attended alongside Al-Khuraiji. The gathering formed part of broader efforts to mark the evolution of the 1976 treaty, whose 50th anniversary was commemorated earlier this year by ASEAN foreign ministers. Saudi Arabia’s engagement reflects a consistent policy of building ties with Asian partners to support diversification goals under Vision 2030, the Foreign Ministry indicated in its overview.
