New York, 22 September 2023 (TDI): Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, participated in a coordination meeting of foreign ministers from 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 regional and international issues, promote cooperation among OIC member states, and discuss recent events affecting Muslim-majority countries.
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During the gathering, Prince Faisal conveyed Saudi Arabia’s heartfelt condolences, sympathy, and solidarity to Morocco and its people in the wake of a devastating earthquake that struck the North African nation.
He also expressed similar condolences to Libya and its citizens following a tragic flooding incident in Derna.
This empathetic gesture underscored the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting fellow OIC member states during challenging times.
Prince Faisal commended the OIC and its member states for their prompt response to Saudi Arabia’s call for an extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
The session aimed to address the desecration and burning of copies of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark, reflecting the OIC’s dedication to defending the sanctity of Islam and its holy texts.
Highlighting the Palestinian issue, Prince Faisal reiterated the Kingdom’s commitment to pursuing a comprehensive solution based on international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
He emphasized the importance of establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Furthermore, Prince Faisal chaired the Arab side of a high-level foreign ministerial informal interactive dialogue session between the Arab Summit Troika (comprising Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain) and the UN Security Council.
This session provided an opportunity to discuss the common challenges faced by the international community and the importance of fostering a secure regional and international environment conducive to collective action.
Prince Faisal stressed the significance of cooperation between the Arab League and the Security Council, particularly concerning peace and security in the Arab world.
He emphasized the need for a unified perspective to address crises and develop peaceful solutions.
Regarding the growing role of non-state armed groups in destabilizing regions, Prince Faisal expressed concern about their access to advanced technology and weapons.
He called on the UN Security Council to take stringent measures against these groups, recognizing their threat to international peace and security.
Prince Faisal also welcomed the positive outcomes of discussions on a roadmap to support the peace process in Yemen.
These discussions brought together Saudi Arabia’s communication and coordination team with the delegation from Sanaa in Riyadh, with the participation of Oman.
Also read: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal holds meetings at UNGA 78
Lastly, he expressed hope that dialogue between Yemeni parties would contribute to peace, stability, and Yemen’s comprehensive revitalization and sustainable development.
Maham Shabir is a contributing author on TDI.
