NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister on Saturday called for immediate global intervention to stop the genocide in Gaza, defended the multilateral system, and outlined the Kingdom’s strategy for regional stability, environmental sustainability and economic growth.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan told the 80th UN General Assembly that Saudi Arabia’s “is proud to be a founding member of this organization,” and called for reinvigorated multilateralism capable of addressing contemporary crises.
The Kingdom “strives to translate the principles of the (UN) Charter into a tangible reality by promoting respect for international law, enhancing international peace and security, and supporting multilateral cooperation,” he added.
Prince Faisal described the suffering of the Palestinian people as “unprecedented,” with famine declared in Gaza.
Their plight, exacerbated by the “unchecked practices” of the Israeli occupying forces — including “starvation, forced displacement and systematic killing” — runs counter to the principles of the UN Charter, international law and international humanitarian law, he said.
Prince Faisal warned that these acts are being carried out “in complete disregard of the historic and legal rights of the Palestinian people with an aim to erase their legitimate rights.”
He called for an immediate end to Israel’s assault, and demanded the unfettered flow of humanitarian aid to the starving population of Gaza.
“It’s time to find a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. Military escalation won’t achieve peace or security,” he said.
“The continued handling of the question of Palestine outside the frameworks of law and international legitimacy is what prolonged the violence and deepened the suffering.”
He urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities and help achieve the only viable path to peace and the only guarantee for the security of all countries in the region: a two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines and East Jerusalem as its capital.
“The failure of the international community to take firm actions to end the Israeli aggression and violation will only cause further instability and insecurity regionally and globally … and will escalate war crimes and acts of genocide,” Prince Faisal said.
He noted Saudi Arabia’s active role in international efforts. Along with Norway and the EU, Riyadh has helped launch a coalition to implement the two‑state solution, and co-chaired with France the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine.
“We welcome … the growing number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine,” he said, expressing support for the Palestinian Authority’s reform efforts. “Such efforts require more support from the international community.”
Prince Faisal also stressed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to respect sovereignty, de‑escalation and regional stability.
“The Kingdom continues to strengthen ties of good neighborliness, respect for the sovereignty of states and de-escalation, and contributes to achieving calm as a means to bolster security and stability in the region and the world,” he said.
Prince Faisal condemned attacks on Qatar from both Iran and Israel, calling for “international action to stop these violations … and deter (Israel) from such criminal behavior that threatens regional security and stability.”
He defended diplomacy over confrontation, pressing for “positive” engagement on Iran’s nuclear program via the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Saudi Arabia stresses “that the diplomatic track is the way to address the issue of Iran’s nuclear program,” he said.
Prince Faisal called for protection of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and strategic straits, noting that these key waterways are critical to global trade.
He also warned of risks from military uses of artificial intelligence and autonomous weapons, calling for international laws to regulate them.
Prince Faisal condemned repeated Israeli strikes on Syria, and expressed support for the latter’s reintegration in the region, arguing that ending Israeli aggression could unlock regional economic cooperation.
“We support everything that would contribute to the consolidation of Syria’s security and stability, respecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.
Prince Faisal reiterated Riyadh’s backing of a political solution and humanitarian aid to Yemen, noting that Saudi aid and development support there exceeds $27 million, and the Kingdom’s assistance to Yemen’s central bank recently totaled $500 million plus an additional $260 million in development funding.
He called for respect for Sudan’s national institutions and an end to foreign interference there, saying: “We reject any steps outside the framework of state institutions that may harm the unity of Sudan and don’t reflect the will of its brotherly people.”
Prince Faisal called for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, full sovereignty for the Lebanese state, and a monopoly on arms by legitimate institutions.
He also pressed for a ceasefire and institutional unity in Libya.
Prince Faisal reiterated Saudi support for a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the Russia-Ukraine war. He cited Riyadh’s role in hosting peace talks involving Russian, Ukraine and US interlocutors.
He also called for a diplomatic resolution between India and Pakistan based on neighborly principles and peaceful dialogue.
Domestically, Prince Faisal highlighted Saudi Arabia’s progress under Vision 2030: structural reforms, higher female labor participation — now over 36 percent — unemployment down to 6.3 percent, public investment fund assets reaching $913 billion, and non‑oil sector contributions rising to 56 percent of gross domestic product.
He said the plan had, one decade in, met or exceeded 93 percent of its performance indicators by the end of 2024.
Prince Faisal pushed for a balanced climate and environmental policy that is mindful of energy security, affordability and ecological sustainability, calling for inclusive approaches that do not exclude any energy source.
He pointed to Saudi Arabia’s leadership in carbon capture, renewable energy, clean hydrogen, land rehabilitation, waste management, afforestation and emissions control.
Prince Faisal announced the establishment of the Global Water Organization in Riyadh to foster international cooperation on water challenges, and cited over $6 million in funding already allocated to water projects across four continents.
He said the Kingdom has expanded protected natural areas, is rolling out waste recycling systems to divert 90 percent of waste, and is rehabilitating millions of hectares of degraded land through regional initiatives involving 30 countries.
He pointed to the UN’s latest desertification conference in Riyadh, where several global initiatives and $12.5 billion in funding were announced.
Prince Faisal concluded with a call to the international community to act in solidarity, reaffirm respect for international law, build trust among nations, and pursue sincere cooperation and constructive dialogue to achieve security and sustainable peace for all.
