United Nations Secretary-General’s Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric has affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia plays important roles in regional and global peace and security issues, describing the Kingdom as a crucial partner in supporting political solutions to conflicts across the Middle East. In an interview with the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) in New York, Dujarric said Saudi Arabia’s diplomacy contributes to creating space for dialogue, reducing tensions, mobilizing regional support, and ultimately helping achieve lasting peace. His remarks, released through official Saudi channels, place the Kingdom at the center of international efforts to stabilize the region at a moment of significant diplomatic activity.
How does a single country’s diplomacy help move decades-old conflicts toward resolution? According to the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, the answer lies in Saudi Arabia’s unique ability to convene international parties, sustain dialogue, and translate broad declarations of support into practical steps. Dujarric’s assessment, delivered during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly, reflects a growing international consensus that Riyadh’s diplomatic weight is indispensable to any credible peace architecture in the Middle East. The interview also underscored the breadth of the Saudi-UN relationship, extending well beyond conflict mediation into humanitarian action, development financing, and multilateral institution-building.
Context and Background
What makes Saudi Arabia’s role in regional peace and security so consequential today? For decades, the Kingdom has been a stabilizing force in the Middle East, using its diplomatic relationships, economic weight, and religious standing to encourage dialogue among parties in conflict. Under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia has expanded that role into a more active and visible diplomacy, including hosting major international conferences and mediating regional disputes.
Dujarric’s interview with SPA, the Kingdom’s official news agency, came on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where world leaders gather each September to address global challenges. His decision to speak with SPA reflects the importance the UN attaches to its partnership with the Kingdom. The spokesperson welcomed the leadership demonstrated by Saudi Arabia, alongside France and its partners, in mobilizing international support through the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, as well as the New York Declaration. He stressed that the task now is to translate this support into sustained and tangible action.
The timing of these remarks is significant. With multiple crises competing for international attention, the UN is looking to influential member states to help sustain momentum behind political processes that might otherwise stall. Saudi Arabia, with its ties across the Arab and Islamic worlds and its growing network of global partners, is positioned to play precisely that role. Dujarric’s comments signal that the international body sees the Kingdom not merely as a participant in peace efforts, but as a leader capable of bringing other parties to the table.
Key Details of the UN Spokesperson’s Remarks
What specific steps does the UN believe are most urgent for advancing peace in the Middle East? Dujarric stated that the most important practical step toward implementing the two-state solution is to establish a credible political process that leads to ending the occupation and establishing the State of Palestine. He said this process should be supported by effective measures that preserve the viability of the two-state solution, in accordance with international law, relevant UN resolutions, and previous agreements. That framing places Saudi-led diplomatic efforts squarely within the established international legal framework.
The spokesperson identified several concrete requirements for preserving the viability of a future Palestinian state. He stressed that settlement expansion and annexation must halt and be reversed, because they undermine the future viability and territorial contiguity of the Palestinian state. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening Palestinian institutions and restoring the financial sustainability of the Palestinian Authority, steps that would enable credible governance and service delivery. Dujarric added that it is important to implement the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, ensure the sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance, support recovery, and chart a path toward unified Palestinian governance.
He stressed the need for Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, to remain politically, economically, and geographically unified. Dujarric noted that Saudi Arabia is already playing an important role that can be built upon in peace and security issues at both the regional and international levels, highlighting the Kingdom’s significant ability to bring together international parties. That capacity, he suggested, is a rare asset in a fragmented international environment, and one that the UN hopes to leverage further in the months ahead.
Saudi Arabia’s Expanding Role as a Global Convener
How has Saudi Arabia earned its reputation as a convening power on the world stage? Dujarric pointed out that over the past two years, the Kingdom has hosted a series of major UN and international events. These include the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the Internet Governance Forum, the General Conference of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the UN Tourism General Assembly. Each of these gatherings brought thousands of delegates, experts, and policymakers to Saudi cities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s logistical and diplomatic capacity.
The Kingdom has also hosted global conferences such as the Future Minerals Forum, the International Labor Market Conference, and the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Conference, which have become fixtures on the international calendar. Dujarric highlighted upcoming events to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, including the UN World Data Forum (UNWDF) in November 2026, the World Water Forum in 2027, Expo 2030 Riyadh, and the FIFA World Cup 2034. This pipeline of high-profile events demonstrates long-term planning and sustained investment in international engagement, consistent with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Beyond hosting, the Kingdom has contributed to launching several new multilateral platforms. These include the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), which emerged from the Kingdom’s presidency of the G20 in 2020, and the Global Water Organization, established in 2025. Both initiatives reflect a Saudi approach to global governance that emphasizes practical cooperation, knowledge sharing, and institution-building rather than solely reactive crisis management. For the UN, such platforms offer new avenues for coordinated action on issues that no single country can address alone.
Humanitarian Leadership and Development Financing
What underpins Saudi Arabia’s credibility as a humanitarian actor? Dujarric indicated that the Kingdom is one of the world’s major donors, having provided 94 percent of its official development assistance in 2023 bilaterally, amounting to approximately $5.47 billion, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). That figure places Saudi Arabia among the most generous contributors to global humanitarian and development causes, particularly in regions affected by conflict and natural disaster.
The UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson stressed that there is an opportunity to work together to turn solidarity into genuine and practical support for people affected by crises by providing food, healthcare, and education and helping communities recover. He described Saudi Arabia as an important partner of the UN, noting that over the past years, the Kingdom has played an increasingly active role in diplomacy, humanitarian action, and development, as well as in supporting efforts to address regional crises. This combination of financial resources, diplomatic reach, and operational capacity makes the Kingdom a distinctive partner for the international community.
Concluding his remarks, Dujarric welcomed Saudi Arabia’s engagement with the UN in diplomacy and regional peace efforts, alongside its substantial humanitarian and development support. He expressed hope that this partnership can be built upon in the future to achieve tangible results in de-escalation, dialogue, diplomacy, peace, and development for the benefit of those most in need of support. His words reflect a broader recognition that Saudi Arabia’s contributions are not peripheral but central to the UN’s ability to deliver on its mandate in the Middle East and beyond.
International and Regional Impact
Why does Saudi Arabia’s peace diplomacy matter beyond the Middle East? The Kingdom’s ability to convene parties, bridge divides, and sustain dialogue has implications for global stability. In a world of competing great-power interests, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a non-aligned but constructive actor, willing to work with all sides to reduce tensions. Dujarric’s praise for the Kingdom’s leadership alongside France on the Palestinian question illustrates how Saudi diplomacy can complement European and international efforts, creating broader coalitions for peace.
Regionally, Saudi Arabia’s role is equally pivotal. By supporting political solutions, the Kingdom helps prevent the escalation of conflicts that could spill across borders and disrupt trade, energy supplies, and humanitarian access. Its relationships with key stakeholders in the region allow it to encourage restraint and facilitate negotiations. The UN spokesperson’s emphasis on the need for a credible political process, supported by measures that preserve the viability of the two-state solution, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s consistent calls for a just and comprehensive peace based on international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Economic and Strategic Significance
How does peace and security translate into economic opportunity? Stability is a prerequisite for investment, trade, and development. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform agenda depends on a secure regional environment that allows the Kingdom to diversify its economy, attract foreign investment, and expand its private sector. By contributing to de-escalation and dialogue, Saudi diplomacy helps create the conditions for economic growth not only at home but across the region, where interconnected markets and supply chains can flourish when conflicts are contained.
Strategically, Saudi Arabia’s convening power strengthens its position as a bridge between the Global South and the industrialized world. Hosting major UN conferences and launching new multilateral platforms such as the Digital Cooperation Organization and the Global Water Organization demonstrate a commitment to shaping global agendas on issues ranging from water security to digital governance. These initiatives complement the Kingdom’s humanitarian giving and its role in energy markets, presenting a comprehensive model of international engagement that the UN and its member states increasingly value.
Vision 2030 Alignment
How does Saudi Arabia’s global peace and security role connect to Vision 2030? Vision 2030 is a comprehensive national transformation plan aimed at diversifying the economy, empowering citizens, and positioning the Kingdom as a global investment and diplomatic hub. A key pillar of the vision is Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a pivotal player in international affairs, capable of hosting world-class events such as Expo 2030 Riyadh and the FIFA World Cup 2034, and of mediating conflicts that threaten regional stability. Dujarric’s recognition of the Kingdom’s leadership reinforces the vision’s external dimension: a prosperous, open, and influential Saudi Arabia contributing to global peace and development.
As the Kingdom prepares to host the UN World Data Forum in November 2026, the World Water Forum in 2027, and a growing roster of multilateral gatherings, its partnership with the United Nations is set to deepen. The spokesperson’s hope that the relationship can be built upon to achieve tangible results in de-escalation, dialogue, diplomacy, peace, and development reflects a shared ambition. For Saudi Arabia, this alignment with the UN’s goals is not only a diplomatic achievement but a testament to the enduring values of Vision 2030: stability, cooperation, and a better future for the region and the world.
20 Questions
Q1. What did the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson say about Saudi Arabia’s role?
A1. Stéphane Dujarric affirmed that Saudi Arabia plays important roles in regional and global peace and security, contributing to dialogue, reducing tensions, and mobilizing support for lasting peace.
Q2. Who is Stéphane Dujarric?
A2. Stéphane Dujarric is the Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, responsible for communicating the UN’s positions and activities to the global media.
Q3. Which Saudi leader’s vision is highlighted in the article?
A3. The article highlights the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in advancing Saudi diplomacy and Vision 2030.
Q4. What international conference did Saudi Arabia co-lead with France?
A4. Saudi Arabia co-led the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, alongside France and partners.
Q5. What is the New York Declaration?
A5. The New York Declaration refers to a statement of international support for the two-state solution and a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian question, welcomed by the UN spokesperson.
Q6. What practical step does the UN consider most important for Middle East peace?
A6. Establishing a credible political process that ends the occupation and establishes the State of Palestine, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Q7. What did Dujarric say about settlement expansion?
A7. He stressed that settlement expansion and annexation must halt and be reversed because they undermine the viability and territorial contiguity of a future Palestinian state.
Q8. Why is Palestinian institutional strengthening important?
A8. Strengthening Palestinian institutions and restoring the financial sustainability of the Palestinian Authority are essential for credible governance and effective service delivery.
Q9. What plan did Dujarric mention regarding Gaza?
A9. He mentioned the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, which includes sustained humanitarian assistance, recovery support, and a path toward unified Palestinian governance.
Q10. How should Gaza and the West Bank be treated?
A10. Dujarric stressed they must remain politically, economically, and geographically unified, including East Jerusalem, to preserve the two-state solution.
Q11. What major UN events has Saudi Arabia hosted recently?
A11. Saudi Arabia hosted COP16 of the UNCCD, the Internet Governance Forum, the UNIDO General Conference, and the UN Tourism General Assembly, among other global gatherings.
Q12. Which global conferences has Saudi Arabia hosted beyond UN events?
A12. The Future Minerals Forum, the International Labor Market Conference, and the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Conference are among the major global conferences hosted by the Kingdom.
Q13. What upcoming events will Saudi Arabia host?
A13. The UN World Data Forum in November 2026, the World Water Forum in 2027, Expo 2030 Riyadh, and the FIFA World Cup 2034.
Q14. What new multilateral platforms has Saudi Arabia helped launch?
A14. The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), emerging from the Kingdom’s 2020 G20 presidency, and the Global Water Organization, established in 2025.
Q15. How much did Saudi Arabia give in official development assistance in 2023?
A15. Saudi Arabia provided approximately $5.47 billion in bilateral official development assistance in 2023, representing 94 percent of its total ODA, according to OECD data.
Q16. How does the UN describe Saudi Arabia’s partnership?
A16. Dujarric described Saudi Arabia as an important partner of the UN, active in diplomacy, humanitarian action, development, and supporting efforts to address regional crises.
Q17. What does the UN hope to achieve with Saudi Arabia in the future?
A17. The UN hopes to build on the partnership to achieve tangible results in de-escalation, dialogue, diplomacy, peace, and development for those most in need.
Q18. How does Saudi Arabia’s role align with Vision 2030?
A18. Vision 2030 aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global investment and diplomatic hub, and its peace and security role reinforces this external dimension of the reform agenda.
Q19. What is the significance of Saudi Arabia’s convening power?
A19. Its ability to bring together international parties creates space for dialogue, reduces tensions, and helps mobilize regional and global support for political solutions.
Q20. What is the overall message of Dujarric’s interview with SPA?
A20. The message is that Saudi Arabia is a crucial UN partner whose leadership in peace, security, humanitarian action, and development is valued and should be built upon.
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