Saudi Foreign Minister Delivers Key Address at 79th UN General Assembly

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah delivered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s address at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 28, 2024, outlining the Kingdom’s principled positions on international peace, security, and development. In his speech, Prince Faisal reiterated Saudi Arabia’s unwavering commitment to the UN Charter, international law, and multilateral cooperation. He highlighted the Kingdom’s active role in shaping the recently adopted Pact for the Future and emphasized the need for collective action to address global challenges, including conflict resolution, economic stability, and humanitarian crises.

Context and Background

As a founding member of the United Nations, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has consistently championed the principles of the UN Charter since 1945. The speech at the 79th session comes at a time of heightened global tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, as well as growing challenges to the international rules-based order. Prince Faisal’s address underscored Saudi Arabia’s longstanding policy of avoiding political polarization and instead promoting dialogue, diplomacy, and adherence to international law as the foundations for lasting peace and security.

Key Points from the Speech

Prince Faisal strongly condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza, describing them as a humanitarian catastrophe and calling for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. He highlighted the Kingdom’s leadership in hosting the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh in November 2023, which resulted in a unified call to end the bloodshed. The minister also welcomed the UN General Assembly’s May 2024 resolution affirming Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership and praised countries that have formally recognized the State of Palestine. He announced the launch of the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution, a partnership including the Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, Norway, and the European Union.

The minister reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to restoring peace in Yemen, supporting a political solution that alleviates the suffering of the Yemeni people. He also emphasized the importance of preserving Lebanon’s stability and respecting its sovereignty, calling for an immediate ceasefire and a sustainable diplomatic solution. On Sudan, Prince Faisal affirmed the Kingdom’s dedication to the country’s security and stability, noting that Saudi Arabia hosted peace talks in Jeddah and is working to resume a third round of negotiations to achieve a ceasefire and deliver humanitarian aid. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the Kingdom reiterated its urgent call for a peaceful resolution and highlighted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s successful efforts to secure the release of prisoners of various nationalities.

Regional and International Implications

The speech underscored Saudi Arabia’s active diplomacy in the region, including the resumption of diplomatic relations with Iran based on mutual respect for sovereignty, which is expected to enhance regional stability. The Kingdom also normalized ties with Syria, supporting the preservation of Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. Prince Faisal called for de-escalation in the Red Sea region, where tensions threaten global shipping lanes and international trade. He also stressed the need for Iran to cooperate fully with the international community on its nuclear program and ballistic missile development. On Afghanistan, the minister emphasized that the country cannot remain isolated and must address the threat of terrorist organizations to prevent further humanitarian and security deterioration.

20 Questions

Q1. Who delivered Saudi Arabia’s speech at the 79th UN General Assembly?

A1. The speech was delivered by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah on September 28, 2024, in New York.

Q2. What key international document did Saudi Arabia help draft?

A2. The Kingdom actively participated in drafting the Pact for the Future, which was adopted during the UN General Assembly session.

Q3. What is Saudi Arabia’s stance on political polarization?

A3. The Kingdom opposes political polarization and promotes dialogue, understanding, and rapprochement between countries to enhance global security and peace.

Q4. How did the Kingdom describe the situation in Gaza?

A4. Prince Faisal called Israeli actions a humanitarian catastrophe, citing tens of thousands of civilian deaths, systematic bombings, and imposed starvation.

Q5. What was the outcome of the Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia?

A5. The summit in November 2023 called for an immediate end to bloodshed, unrestricted aid delivery, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Q6. What is the International Alliance to Implement the Two-State Solution?

A6. It is a coalition launched by Saudi Arabia, the Joint Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, Norway, and the European Union to achieve Palestinian statehood.

Q7. How much aid has Saudi Arabia provided to the Palestinian people?

A7. The Kingdom has provided over $5 billion in aid, including nearly $185 million in relief through KSrelief since the Gaza crisis began.

Q8. What was Saudi Arabia’s position on the UN resolution about Palestine?

A8. The Kingdom welcomed the UN General Assembly’s May 2024 resolution affirming the State of Palestine’s eligibility for full UN membership.

Q9. Which countries did Saudi Arabia commend for recognizing Palestine?

A9. The Kingdom commended Norway, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Armenia for formally recognizing the State of Palestine.

Q10. What is the Kingdom’s position on the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion?

A10. The Kingdom welcomed the ICJ’s opinion confirming the illegality of Israel’s 57-year presence in occupied Palestinian territories and called for a just resolution.

Q11. What is the Kingdom’s stance on Lebanon?

A11. The Kingdom stresses the need to preserve Lebanon’s stability, respect its sovereignty, and supports international efforts for an immediate ceasefire.

Q12. How has Saudi Arabia worked with Iran?

A12. Saudi Arabia resumed diplomatic relations with Iran based on mutual respect for sovereignty, aiming to enhance regional security, stability, and prosperity.

Q13. What is the Kingdom’s position on Syria?

A13. The Kingdom resumed diplomatic relations with Syria and supports preserving Syria’s unity, security, stability, and territorial integrity.

Q14. How is Saudi Arabia contributing to peace in Yemen?

A14. The Kingdom supports all efforts for a political solution to end the war, alleviate suffering of the Yemeni people, and restore security to Yemen and the region.

Q15. What is the Kingdom’s call regarding the Red Sea region?

A15. The Kingdom calls for de-escalation and increased cooperation to maintain freedom of navigation and protect international shipping lanes from threats.

Q16. What efforts has Saudi Arabia made regarding Sudan?

A16. The Kingdom hosted Sudanese peace talks in Jeddah to achieve a ceasefire and has worked to resume a third round of negotiations for humanitarian aid delivery.

Q17. What is the Kingdom’s stance on Afghanistan?

A17. The Kingdom emphasizes Afghanistan’s need for integration with the region and the world, urging action against terrorist organizations and improving humanitarian conditions.

Q18. What is the Kingdom’s position on the Russia-Ukraine crisis?

A18. The Kingdom urgently calls for an end to the crisis and highlights Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to secure the release of prisoners from various nationalities.

Q19. How does the Kingdom view the UN’s role?

A19. The Kingdom views the United Nations as a vital platform for reaffirming shared principles and strengthening collaborative efforts to address global challenges.

Q20. What is the Kingdom’s approach to international law?

A20. The Kingdom calls for adherence to international law and humanitarian law, rejecting selectivity in implementation to prevent violence and conflict expansion.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Prince Faisal’s address to the UN General Assembly firmly reflects the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives by showcasing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in fostering international peace, security, and sustainable development. The speech emphasized the importance of empowering international financial institutions for global economic recovery, a key pillar of Vision 2030’s economic diversification strategy. By promoting dialogue over polarization and actively engaging in multilateral initiatives such as the Pact for the Future and the International Alliance for the Two-State Solution, the Kingdom continues to solidify its role as a responsible global actor and a hub for diplomacy. These actions directly support Vision 2030’s ambition to transform Saudi Arabia into a global investment powerhouse and a bridge between nations, ultimately contributing to a stable and prosperous future for the Kingdom and the world.

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