RIYADH — Saudi Arabia reiterated its support for the security and stability of Afghanistan during the 2020 Afghanistan Conference in Geneva on Tuesday. The conference sought to help Afghanistan rebuild and heal after decades of conflict with international donors pledging their financial and political support. Speaking on the occasion, Saudi ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva Abdulaziz Al-Wasil said the Kingdom has supported as many as 35 projects in Afghanistan in a number of sectors, including humanitarian, health, education, and water and food security, at a total cost of more than $24 million. The support is based on the Kingdom's awareness of its responsibilities and its role in securing peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, Al-Wasil said. He added that Saudi Arabia has participated in all international donors' conferences, hoping to see the war-torn country enjoy security, stability, and prosperity. Al-Wasil said Saudi Arabia believes that achieving stability in Afghanistan requires collective support through several steps, including reconciliation between the Afghan government and the Taliban, with the movement's commitment to renouncing violence and engaging in the political process, and respecting the will of the Afghan people to form a government that includes all sects. He urged all parties, including neighboring countries, to participate positively in restoring security and stability in Afghanistan, to respect the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, to limit Iranian interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs that negatively affect Afghanistan's security and stability, and to fight terrorist organizations in Afghanistan. He called on the international community to support development in Afghanistan in a way that contributes to achieving its security and stability, stressing that the Kingdom has striven to strengthen international efforts by setting up the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology, known as Etidal, the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre and the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition.
