KAZAN — On behalf of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan led the Saudi delegation attending the 2024 BRICS Plus Summit in the Russian city of Kazan. Addressing the summit, Prince Faisal expressed the Kingdom's concern over the escalation of global tensions especially in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. "At a time when we most need to confront global challenges, we are witnessing an escalation of tensions and growing polarization and axes, which weakens the flexibility and effectiveness of multilateral forums. Saudi Arabia supports strengthening international institutions to ensure that the needs of all countries are met," he said. Prince Faisal emphasized that the continuation of the Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon poses a serious threat to regional and international security. He warned that the continuation of this conflict will lead to a worsening of the situation in the region. The foreign minister stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire, as well as to ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance without hindrance, the release of hostages, and a serious commitment to achieving lasting peace. Prince Faisal drew attention to the Kingdom's efforts to achieve peace in the region, including the Kingdom's launch last month of the "International Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution" initiative in cooperation with its international partners. "Granting the Palestinians the right to self-determination is the only way to achieve sustainable peace," he said while appreciating the solidarity of the BRICS countries with the Palestinian cause, and their support for a solution based on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The foreign minister conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of the BRICS countries, expressing his appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to the Saudi delegation. Prince Faisal drew attention to the growing relations between the Kingdom and the BRICS countries. "The volume of bilateral trade with the group's countries exceeded $196 billion in 2023, representing 37 percent of the Kingdom's total foreign trade. "The summit is an opportunity to enhance cooperation with the group's countries to face global challenges and support sustainable development," he said. Prince Faisal also confirmed that the Kingdom will continue to strengthen its partnerships with the BRICS group and expand the horizons of cooperation in all fields, in an effort to achieve development and prosperity at the international level. The summit was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Russia Abdulrahman Al-Ahmad, Director General of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Daoud, Director General of International Organizations Shaher Al-Khenini, and the Advisor to Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Yahya.
