ع
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The two officials discussed areas of cooperation between the Kingdom and the UN along with regional and international developments of mutual interest, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. Prince Faisal expressed appreciation for the efforts Guterres has made during his tenure as the secretary-general nears the end of his term.
The discussions took place during the high-level week of the assembly. Prince Faisal bin Farhan held separate meetings with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf, Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Alvarez and Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. Those talks focused on key regional and international issues while the officials exchanged views on current developments and efforts to address them.
In his address to the General Assembly, Prince Faisal warned that the world is facing unprecedented challenges, Arab News reported. He condemned flagrant Iranian and Houthi attacks on the Kingdom and stressed that Gulf security is of vital global importance that must be taken seriously. The foreign minister highlighted the direct link between the Arabian Gulf, global energy security, international trade and maritime navigation.
Prince Faisal called for serious international cooperation to protect freedom of navigation in key waterways including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. He told the assembly that the international community has been absent from assuming its responsibilities in confronting threats to peace and security, TRT World reported. The minister added that any arrangements for regional security must be comprehensive.
Saudi Arabia supports de-escalation initiatives particularly those led by Qatar and Pakistan that can help restore regional stability. Prince Faisal stressed the importance of returning conditions in the Strait of Hormuz to their state before February 28 without imposing fees or taxes. The address underscored Saudi Arabia’s position that the region must be free of weapons of mass destruction with civil nuclear programs subject to international oversight.
The Saudi delegation included the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasel. Prince Faisal’s engagements reflect the country’s ongoing diplomatic efforts within the multilateral framework of the United Nations. These meetings and the address form part of Saudi Arabia’s participation in the 81st session which addresses a range of global challenges.
