His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the 60th Munich Security Conference, held in Germany. In a key panel discussion, His Highness presented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's vision regarding the profound transformations taking place in the international system, highlighting the numerous crises facing the world, most notably the conflict in Gaza, and calling for the adoption of a new approach based on multilateralism and justice to ensure global stability.
Munich Security Conference: A global platform for strategic dialogue
The Munich Security Conference, first held in 1963, is one of the world's leading forums for discussing security and defense policies. Each year, the conference brings together a distinguished group of heads of state and government, foreign and defense ministers, as well as senior military officials and security and strategic experts from around the globe. The conference has gained prominence by providing an open platform for frank dialogue on the most pressing security challenges, ranging from geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts to cybersecurity, climate change, and energy security. This year's conference takes place against a backdrop of heightened international tensions, most notably the war in Ukraine and the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, placing a significant responsibility on participants to explore ways to de-escalate the situation and find sustainable solutions.
The Kingdom's vision for confronting global challenges
In his address during the session, Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized that the current international system is at a critical “turning point,” requiring fundamental reforms to the global governance structure to make it more inclusive and equitable. He affirmed that multilateral institutions, established in the aftermath of World War II, are no longer capable of addressing the complex challenges of the 21st century on their own. His Highness explained that the Kingdom, through its proactive diplomacy, seeks to build bridges and enhance cooperation among various parties to address crises. The Saudi participation specifically addressed the tragic situation in the Gaza Strip, where the Foreign Minister reiterated the call for an immediate ceasefire, ensuring unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, and initiating a serious and irreversible political process to establish an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as the only path to achieving lasting security and peace in the region.
The intervention also addressed the importance of regional stability, highlighting the Kingdom's efforts in supporting political solutions in Yemen and Sudan, and the necessity of securing navigation in the Red Sea. His Highness emphasized that achieving economic prosperity, as envisioned in Vision 2030, is closely linked to achieving security and stability at both the regional and international levels, thus making the Kingdom's role pivotal in supporting initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development and resolving conflicts peacefully.
The importance of Saudi participation
Saudi Arabia’s high-level participation in the Munich Security Conference reflects its growing stature as an influential force on the international stage and its commitment to actively contributing to shaping the future of the global order. By clearly articulating its vision, the Kingdom underscores its dedication to working with international partners to address shared challenges and advance a more secure, stable, and prosperous world for all.
