Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized the importance of responsible international leadership during the open debate of the Security Council on ‘Leadership for Peace’ at the 79th United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York. He stressed the need to empower responsible international leadership and prevent the exportation of narrow political interests at the expense of global security and coexistence of peoples. Prince Faisal highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting the multilateral international system, enhancing its development, and rebuilding trust in its institutions.
In his speech, Prince Faisal expressed gratitude to Slovenia for hosting the session and commended their efforts in promoting international peace and security, particularly their recognition of the State of Palestine. He addressed the escalating conflicts and crises, multiplying common challenges, and growing crisis of confidence in the multilateral system during the UN meeting. The foreign minister called for a serious evaluation of the state of international multilateral action and the urgent need for reform within the Security Council to improve crisis resolution and address common challenges effectively.
Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of restoring respect for international charters and norms through the application of international law and humanitarian law while holding violators accountable without bias. He highlighted the lack of “leadership for peace” as a significant challenge, citing political leaders who prioritize personal and partisan interests over collective peace and security. The absence of serious international action to halt the Israeli military escalation further illustrates the weaknesses of the multilateral system in addressing global conflicts.
The Saudi Minister underscored that peace is essential for fostering cooperation, development, and sustainability, emphasizing that peace processes require courage and commitment to difficult decisions. He called for the prioritization of regional and international peace over individual agendas to enhance the efficiency of international organizations, especially the Security Council, in fulfilling their duties. The need for responsible international leadership to navigate through crises and promote global peace was a key theme of Prince Faisal’s address at the UN General Assembly.
In attendance at the debate were Saudi representatives, including Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil and Director General of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulrahman Aldawood. Their participation underscored Saudi Arabia’s commitment to promoting responsible international leadership, strengthening the multilateral system, and advancing global peace and security. Prince Faisal’s remarks at the Security Council debate highlighted the urgent need for collective action and reform within the international community to address ongoing conflicts and challenges effectively.
