Saudi FM at UN Demands End to Gaza Genocide, Outlines Vision for Peace and Stability
NEW YORK, Sept 27 (VoM): Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister on Saturday used his address to the 80th UN General Assembly to demand an immediate end to what he called the “genocide” in Gaza while laying out Riyadh’s broader vision for peace, security, and sustainable development in the Middle East and beyond.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the suffering of Palestinians had reached “unprecedented” levels, with famine declared in Gaza and widespread violations of international law by Israeli forces. He condemned “starvation, forced displacement, and systematic killing,” warning these acts were aimed at erasing Palestinian rights.
“It is time to find a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. Military escalation will not achieve peace or security,” Prince Faisal told world leaders, urging immediate humanitarian access to Gaza and renewed efforts toward a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital.
The foreign minister cautioned that failure by the international community to act decisively against Israeli aggression would fuel instability and escalate war crimes. He welcomed the growing number of nations recognizing Palestine while highlighting Saudi Arabia’s role in international initiatives, including co-chairing a high-level conference with France on Palestinian peace efforts.
Beyond Gaza, Prince Faisal emphasized Riyadh’s commitment to regional de-escalation and sovereignty. He condemned Israeli and Iranian attacks on Qatar and repeated strikes on Syria and called for Israel’s full withdrawal from Lebanon. He also backed political solutions in Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and Ukraine, stressing that diplomacy must prevail over confrontation.
On Iran’s nuclear program, he reiterated Saudi Arabia’s stance that the issue must be addressed through the International Atomic Energy Agency and diplomatic engagement. He also underscored the need to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and strategic waterways critical to global trade.
Turning to global challenges, Prince Faisal warned of the risks posed by autonomous weapons and military applications of artificial intelligence, urging international regulation.
He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s domestic progress under Vision 2030, citing record non-oil sector growth, a drop in unemployment to 6.3 percent, women’s workforce participation rising above 36 percent, and the Public Investment Fund’s assets climbing to $913 billion. He noted the Kingdom had achieved 93 percent of its performance targets by the end of 2024.
On climate and sustainability, Prince Faisal promoted balanced energy policies that safeguard both environmental and economic needs. He pointed to Saudi leadership in carbon capture, renewable energy, hydrogen, land rehabilitation, and afforestation. He also announced the establishment of the Global Water Organization in Riyadh, with projects already underway across four continents.
Concluding his address, Prince Faisal called on the world to reaffirm respect for international law, strengthen trust among nations, and pursue constructive dialogue. “Only through sincere cooperation can we achieve stability, security, and sustainable peace for all,” he said.