Saudi foreign minister urges developing cooperation with BRICS to achieve prosperity

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan attends a regional meeting in Amman on May 1, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 03 June 2023
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Saudi foreign minister urges developing cooperation with BRICS to achieve prosperity

  • The Saudi foreign minister attended on Friday a ministerial meeting of the Friends of BRICS in South Africa
  • In his speech, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the Kingdom was keen to advance future cooperation with BRICS

CAPE TOWN: Saudi Arabia is keen to develop future cooperation with the BRICS group to achieve collective prosperity, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said on Friday.

The BRICS group consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The Saudi foreign minister participated on Friday in the ministerial meeting of Friends of BRICS in Cape Town, South Africa, held under the theme, “Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism.”

In his speech at the meeting, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that the Kingdom was keen to advance its future cooperation with BRICS by benefiting from the potential and capabilities possessed by both sides.

This aimed to fulfill joint interests and achieve prosperity for all, the foreign minister said.

Saudi Arabia was the BRICS group’s largest commercial partner in the Middle East, Prince Faisal said, affirming that trade relations with the BRICS countries had witnessed great growth.

“This reflects the growing and developed relations with the countries of the group,” he said.

The total value of bilateral trade with the countries of the BRICS group increased from $81 billion in 2017 and $128 billion in 2021 to surpass $160 billion last year, the foreign minister said.

The Kingdom shared basic values with the BRICS countries, represented in the belief that relations between countries were based on the principles of respect for sovereignty, non-interference and adherence to international law, Prince Faisal said.

These principles also included the existence of multilateral frameworks and collective action as reference points in the face of mutual challenges.

Saudi Arabia, along with BRICS countries, also believed in the importance of peace, security and stability in order to refocus efforts toward national development and common prosperity, Prince Faisal said.

The Kingdom maintained its commitment to working with international partners to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, he said.

He added that Saudi Arabia also worked on intensifying global efforts to enhance food and energy security amid recurring crises and supply-chain issues.

The Kingdom was a pioneering country worldwide in humanitarian and development aid and was among the top 10 donors to low- and middle-income countries, Prince Faisal said.

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, undersecretary of the foreign affairs ministry for international multilateral affairs, and Saudi Ambassador to South Africa Sultan Al-Liwiahan Al-Anqary were also part of the Saudi delegation at the meeting.


SR2,000 prizes on offer for best Founding Day outfits

Updated 6 sec ago
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SR2,000 prizes on offer for best Founding Day outfits

  • Members of the public are invited to submit photos of their traditional Saudi attire via the ministry’s website from Feb. 22-28
  • Competition aims to encourage people to promote traditional Saudi clothing while supporting both local fashion designers and content creators

RIYADH: The 50 best Founding Day outfits will win SR2,000 each as part of a competition by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture.

Members of the public are invited to submit photos of their traditional Saudi attire via the ministry’s website from Feb. 22-28. Winners will be notified by email between March 12-14, with a total of SR100,000 shared between the 50 best submissions.

The competition aims to encourage people to promote traditional Saudi clothing while supporting both local fashion designers and content creators, said a ministry statement.

Everyone is welcome to take part. Pictures should be of high quality and feature traditional Saudi dress style. Outfits must be inoffensive and age-appropriate to the entrant. The Founding Day hashtag must also be used.

A brochure detailing the competition guidelines can be found on the ministry’s website, where people can also submit their photographs for the competition — visit here.

Traditional attire for men includes the ghutra headdress and bisht robe, while for women it includes the shayla headscarf and thobe.

Saudi Arabia has a rich history of diverse and colorful fashion when it comes to its traditional costumes, with each region displaying different tribal styles. Only a small number of items are well known; many have been forgotten due to lack of proper documentation and tribal migration.

Founding Day takes place on Saturday, Feb. 22. The national holiday was introduced in 2022 as a way to commemorate the founding of the First Saudi State in 1727. This year’s celebrations include music concerts, art exhibitions and other cultural activities in the Kingdom’s major cities.


Putin thanks Saudi crown prince for hosting US-Russia talks during phone call

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (File/SPA/AFP)
Updated 34 min 25 sec ago
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Putin thanks Saudi crown prince for hosting US-Russia talks during phone call

  • Prince Mohammed stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to making every possible effort to enhance global peace and security

RIYADH: Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed on Thursday his appreciation to the Kingdom and its crown prince for hosting US-Russian talks in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During a phone call between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Putin, the president also praised the depth of relations between their countries and his keenness to develop them in various fields.

Prince Mohammed stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to making every possible effort to enhance global peace and security due to its belief that dialogue is the only way to resolve all international crises.


Senior Muslim scholars express appreciation for King Salman’s patronage of MWL Islamic conference

MWL will host the second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects.
Updated 20 February 2025
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Senior Muslim scholars express appreciation for King Salman’s patronage of MWL Islamic conference

  • MWL members confirmed that King Salman’s sponsorship of the event is an extension of Saudi Arabia’s role in strengthening Islamic solidarity

RIYADH: Muslim World League chief Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa said members of the organization’s bodies, assemblies, and councils have thanked King Salman for his patronage of a conference to be held in Makkah during Ramadan.

MWL will host the second edition of the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects on March 6-7 in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency announced on Tuesday.

The conference will bring together leading muftis, scholars, intellectuals, and representatives from senior Islamic councils, jurisprudential academies, and religious institutions across different sects and denominations.

It will serve as a unified platform for fostering constructive dialogue among diverse Islamic traditions as well as coordinating efforts and resources to strengthen Islamic unity, while ensuring mutual respect for doctrinal diversity.

Al-Issa explained that members of the organization confirmed that King Salman’s sponsorship of the event is an extension of Saudi Arabia’s role in strengthening Islamic solidarity, especially among Muslim scholars of various sects.

Al-Issa added that members of the league’s Supreme Council, Jurisprudence Council, and World Supreme Council for Mosques praised the Kingdom’s influence and its influential and respected word among Muslim nations around the world.


Denmark’s Embassy celebrates ‘an evening of Danish flavors with Saudi twist’

Updated 20 February 2025
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Denmark’s Embassy celebrates ‘an evening of Danish flavors with Saudi twist’

  • Best of country’s cuisine, from cheeses to chocolate
  • Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Jacob Jensen in attendance

RIYADH: Denmark’s Embassy in Riyadh celebrated gastronomy on Wednesday by hosting “an evening of Danish flavors with a Saudi twist,” highlighting the best of the country’s cuisine, from cheeses to chocolate.

Liselotte Plesner, Denmark’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, thanked Jacob Jensen, Danish minister for food, agriculture and fisheries, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia; the Danish Agriculture and Food Council; and the business delegation accompanying the minister, along with Food Nation Denmark, for their support.

Plesner said that the evening was the third celebration of Danish gastronomy over the past two decades.

She said: “When I was young, finding a restaurant serving Danish food in Denmark was near to impossible. You could get Italian, Chinese, Mexican, and more. Only a few restaurants in Denmark would serve traditional open sandwiches.”

Then, in 2004, a group of chefs and foodies decided to turn the table. They crafted the New Nordic Cuisine Manifesto, setting out principles for a culinary revolution rooted in local and sustainable ingredients.

Plesner added: “Two of the chefs founded Noma. Fast forward, and five times Noma has won the top spot in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards.

“In 2021 Noma earned its third Michelin star. The year after, another Danish restaurant, Geranium, took the top spot of best restaurant in the world. Inspiration spread like ripples in the water. Who would have thought that Denmark would become a world-class food nation?”

The evening intended to inspire Saudi Arabia on its culinary journey as it bids to increase tourism and offer guests dishes to delight, said Plesner.

Cheeses took centre stage this year as the buffet featured 12 exquisite choices from Denmark. Cheese expert Rasmus Holmgard curated a feast of flavors.

Sana, a Saudi cheesemaker that produces burrata, introduced a local twist for the evening.

Jensen said: “I have been here for a day and I am full of impressions already. This evening we have gathered not only to taste the flavor of Denmark, but also to explore how culinary traditions can inspire innovation … and build bridges between nations.

“Denmark is proud to be recognized as a global food nation known for our high-quality, safe and sustainable food production.

“I am also pleased to see the Saudi cheesemaker Sana here, Danish-Saudi food diplomacy in action.”

The minister added: “Denmark’s contribution to the world of food goes far beyond gastronomy. We have major exports of advanced machinery and know-how solutions that enable efficiency and sustainable food production worldwide.”


Strong Saudi-US ties only continue to grow, Kingdom’s envoy says

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar speaks during the FII Priority Summit in Miami Beach, Florida.
Updated 20 February 2025
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Strong Saudi-US ties only continue to grow, Kingdom’s envoy says

  • Princess Reema said that strong and growing Saudi-US relations were “creating once unimaginable opportunities for a more prosperous future together”

RIYADH: The strong ties between Saudi Arabia and the US only continue to grow, the Kingdom’s ambassador to Washington Princess Reema bint Bandar said on Thursday.

Princess Reema said that strong and growing Saudi-US relations were “creating once unimaginable opportunities for a more prosperous future together.”

The Kingdom’s envoy made the comments on social media platform X after welcoming US President Donald Trump to the FII PRIORITY Miami 2025 summit on Wednesday.

The gathering of thought leaders, investors, and policymakers reflected the strength of “our shared vision, where partnership, trade, and investment drive progress,” Princess Reema said.

During the opening of the summit on Wednesday, Trump thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for facilitating US-Russian talks on the Ukraine war that were held in Riyadh on Tuesday.