New York – Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, participated in a coordination meeting of the foreign ministers of member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) during the 78th UN General Assembly session in New York.
The meeting aimed to address various pressing issues and foster cooperation among OIC member states. The Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement highlighting the key discussions and statements made by Prince Faisal.
Firstly, Prince Faisal expressed Saudi Arabia’s condolences, sympathy, and solidarity with Morocco and Libya following recent natural disasters. The Kingdom extended its support to Morocco after an earthquake struck the North African country and offered its condolences to Libya, which had experienced devastating flooding in Derna.
The minister commended the response of the OIC and its member states to Saudi Arabia’s call for an extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers. The session was held to address the desecration and burning of copies of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark. Prince Faisal appreciated the swift action taken by the OIC and its member states in addressing this issue.
Prince Faisal also emphasized the importance of resolving the Palestinian issue through a comprehensive solution, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Moreover, the Saudi foreign minister chaired the Arab side of a high-level foreign ministerial informal interactive dialogue session between the Arab Summit Troika and the UN Security Council. The Arab Summit Troika consists of Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, representing the outgoing, current, and incoming chairs of the Arab League. The meeting aimed to foster cooperation and joint efforts between the Arab League and the UN Security Council to promote peace and security in the Arab world.
During the session, Prince Faisal highlighted the need for a safe and stable regional and international environment to address common challenges effectively. He emphasized the importance of cooperation and collective action among countries.
Prince Faisal also raised concerns about the growing role of armed groups operating outside the framework of the state. He warned that these groups pose a threat to international peace and security and called on the UN Security Council to take strict measures against them. The ease with which these groups acquire advanced technology and weapons undermines state institutions, he added.
The Saudi foreign minister welcomed the results of discussions on a road map to support the peace process in Yemen. The talks involved the Saudi communication and coordination team, the Sanaa delegation, and the participation of Oman. He expressed hopes for dialogue between Yemeni parties to pave the way for security, stability, and a comprehensive renaissance in the war-torn country.
Prince Faisal concluded by highlighting Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and developing peaceful solutions to regional crises. The Kingdom aims to establish a common perspective between the Arab League and the UN Security Council to promote peace and security in the Arab world.
The participation of Prince Faisal bin Farhan in the coordination meeting of the OIC foreign ministers and the subsequent discussions on various regional and international issues underscored Saudi Arabia’s active role in promoting cooperation, stability, and peace within the Islamic world and beyond.
