Active Saudi participation in the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting
On behalf of His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, participated in the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi, India. The meeting, held under the theme "Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability," saw the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participate as an invited country, reflecting its growing strategic role on the international stage and its commitment to diversifying its economic and political partnerships.
The importance of digital transformation and artificial intelligence in development
During his address at the meeting, His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the rapid technological and economic transformations the world is witnessing today. He emphasized the need to pay particular attention to enabling developing countries to keep pace with this rapid digital transformation. Given the growing opportunities and future implications associated with artificial intelligence technologies, Al-Khuraiji stressed that ensuring equitable access to technology and building digital capabilities is essential for achieving sustainable and balanced development for all the world's peoples—an approach perfectly aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which places innovation and the digital economy at the forefront of its development priorities.
Stability in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea: A global imperative
In a related context, His Excellency addressed the geopolitical importance of the region, emphasizing that stability in the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea is more than just a regional matter; it is a fundamental pillar for the resilience and stability of the entire global economy. Historically, these waterways, such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, have been vital arteries for international trade. He explained that maintaining this stability, especially during times of crisis and uncertainty, is a shared responsibility and a collective interest of the international community to ensure the unimpeded flow of goods and energy.
The Kingdom's stance on regional tensions and calls for de-escalation
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its deep concern regarding the current developments and recent attacks targeting some Gulf states and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In this regard, Riyadh reiterated the importance of de-escalation, restraint, and full adherence to the principles of international law. The Kingdom warned against any further steps that could exacerbate tensions in the Middle East region, emphasizing the importance of continued diplomatic dialogue among all concerned parties, including the BRICS countries, to support efforts aimed at strengthening regional and international security and stability and sparing the region the ravages of conflict.
The impact of maritime security on energy markets and inflation
His Excellency Engineer Waleed Al-Khuraiji concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the Middle East remains a vital hub within global trade networks. A significant portion of the world's energy supplies and commercial goods, connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, pass through the maritime routes of the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea. He stressed that any security instability in this sensitive region would have immediate and far-reaching repercussions, extending beyond the region's borders to impact global energy markets and contribute to rising inflation rates, thus threatening sustainable development efforts and global economic growth in general.
