GENEVA — Saudi Arabia affirmed its unwavering commitment to support global humanitarian issues and its contributions to alleviating the suffering of those affected by wars and disasters. Addressing the UN Economic and Social Council in Geneva, Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and international organizations in Geneva Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila said that Saudi Arabia, despite global economic challenges, continues its generous approach as one of the largest donor countries in the humanitarian and development fields. The ambassador said that humanitarian crises have become exacerbated by the increase in armed conflicts and the decline in adherence to international humanitarian law, emphasizing that addressing the root causes of crises is crucial to alleviating human suffering. He pointed out that Saudi Arabia's participation in the global initiative to renew its commitment to international humanitarian law, launched by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and its hosting of several peace talks between parties to conflicts results from its belief in the importance of dialogue to achieve lasting peace. Regarding the Palestinian issue, Bin Khothaila explained that Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the serious violations and war crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against the Palestinian people. He emphasized that preventing humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip and using it as a tool of war constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, reiterating Saudi Arabia's call for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire. The ambassador noted that a peace conference, co-chaired with France, was scheduled to be held in June, 2025 as part of Saudi Arabia's efforts within the Global Coalition to implement the two-state solution. However, recent developments in the region led to its postponement. He emphasized the importance of integrating relief and development in addressing crises, pointing to Saudi Arabia's integrated model through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
