His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in a high-level panel discussion on the future of the Middle East region, as part of the Munich Security Conference 2024. The session was entitled “Building on Momentum: From Promises to Progress,” and highlighted the urgent challenges and opportunities available to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
Background and importance of the Munich Security Conference
The Munich Security Conference, first held in 1963, is one of the world's leading independent international forums dedicated to discussing global security and defense policies. Held annually in Munich, Germany, the conference brings together heads of state and government, foreign and defense ministers, military leaders, and strategic experts from around the globe. It provides a vital platform for informal dialogue and confidence-building among decision-makers, making it particularly important in the context of escalating geopolitical tensions. This year's conference is especially significant given its convergence with major international crises, most notably the war in Gaza, which makes discussions about the Middle East central.
Topics of discussion and challenges facing the region
The session, in which Prince Faisal bin Farhan participated, focused on the rapidly evolving regional landscape, particularly the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and its catastrophic humanitarian and security repercussions. Participants, including prominent international figures such as Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag, discussed ways to de-escalate the conflict and establish stability and peace. The importance of supporting the two-state solution as the only viable path to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was also highlighted. Furthermore, the discussion addressed the need to bolster security and economic stability in Syria and the importance of coordinating international efforts to create the conditions conducive to reaching sustainable political solutions that guarantee the country's unity and territorial integrity.
The Kingdom's role and its regional and international influence
The Saudi Foreign Minister's participation in this international forum reflects the active diplomatic role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on both the regional and international stages. The Kingdom has consistently affirmed its unwavering position on the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid, and advancing a political process leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Saudi Arabia's presence at the Munich Security Conference presents an opportunity to reiterate these positions and garner the necessary international support to de-escalate tensions and prevent the conflict from spreading further in the region, thus serving international peace and security. This participation also highlights the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which is based on development and prosperity as fundamental pillars of regional stability.
