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Saudi FM seeks global support for final document of ‘Two-State Solution’ conference

Saudi FM seeks global support for final document of ‘Two-State Solution’ conference
º£½ÇÖ±²¥'s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, and French FM Jean-Noel Barrot chair a conference on Palestine and a two-state solution at the United Nations on July 29, 2025 in New York City. (Getty Images via AFP)
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Updated 31 July 2025

Saudi FM seeks global support for final document of ‘Two-State Solution’ conference

Saudi FM seeks global support for final document of ‘Two-State Solution’ conference
  • Document includes an agreement to work jointly toward ending the war in Gaza and reaching a just, peaceful, and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

NEW YORK: º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, has called on all United Nations member states to support the joint declaration issued at the UN on Tuesday calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. 

The document includes an agreement to work jointly toward ending the war in Gaza and reaching a just, peaceful, and lasting settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the effective implementation of the two-state solution, and to build a better future for Palestinians, Israelis, and all peoples of the region.

The declaration’s plan says conference co-chairs France and º£½ÇÖ±²¥, the European Union and Arab League, and 15 countries that led the working groups agreed “to take collective action to end the war in Gaza.â€

Prince Faisal urged the rest of the 193 UN member nations “to support this document†before the start of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in mid-September.

“These outcomes reflect comprehensive proposals across political, humanitarian, security, economic, legal, and strategic narrative tracks, and they form an integrated and actionable framework for implementing the two-state solution and achieving peace and security for all,†the foreign minister said, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 

He reiterated º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s condemnation of all attacks by any party targeting civilians, including indiscriminate attacks, all assaults on civilian infrastructure, provocative actions, incitement, and acts of destruction.

The declaration condemns “the attacks committed by Hamas against civilians†in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. It marks a first condemnation by Arab nations of Hamas, whose attacks killed about 1,200, mainly Israeli civilians, and whose militants took about 250 people hostage. Some 50 are still being held.

It also condemns Israel’s attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza and its “siege and starvation, which have produced a devastating humanitarian catastrophe and protection crisis.â€Â 

Israel’s offensive against Hamas has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants.

It's plan envisions the Palestinian Authority governing and controlling all Palestinian territory, with a transitional administrative committee immediately established under its umbrella after a ceasefire in Gaza.

“In the context of ending the war in Gaza, Hamas must end its rule in Gaza and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority,†the declaration says.

It also supports deployment of “a temporary international stabilization mission†operating under UN auspices to protect Palestinian civilians, support the transfer of security to the Palestinian Authority and provide security guarantees for Palestine and Israel — “including monitoring of the ceasefire and of a future peace agreement.â€

The declaration urges countries to recognize the state of Palestine, calling this “an essential and indispensable component of the achievement of the two-state solution.†Without naming Israel but clearly referring to it, the document says “illegal unilateral actions are posing an existential threat to the realization of the independent state of Palestine.â€

(With agencies)


Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan appointed Grand Mufti of º£½ÇÖ±²¥

Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan appointed Grand Mufti of º£½ÇÖ±²¥
Updated 5 sec ago

Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan appointed Grand Mufti of º£½ÇÖ±²¥

Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan appointed Grand Mufti of º£½ÇÖ±²¥

RIYADH: Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan has been appointed Grand Mufti of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ and the Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars.

The appointment was made based on a proposal by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.


Royal Commission for AlUla announces partnership with Center Pompidou in Paris

Royal Commission for AlUla announces partnership with Center Pompidou in Paris
Updated 5 min 50 sec ago

Royal Commission for AlUla announces partnership with Center Pompidou in Paris

Royal Commission for AlUla announces partnership with Center Pompidou in Paris
  • RCU will provide 50 million euros to support the renovation of the Center Pompidou in Paris
  • It is part of a larger Saudi-French collaboration aimed at developing the Museum of Contemporary Art in AlUla

LONDON: Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan, Saudi minister of culture and governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla, discussed strengthening cultural exchange with France’s minister of culture, Rachida Dati, in Paris on Wednesday.

The Saudi-French cultural cooperation will establish a Saudi section in the Center Pompidou, which is undergoing refurbishment, and will reopen to the public in 2030, the Royal Commission for AlUla announced.

According to the agreement, the RCU will provide 50 million euros to support the renovation of the Center Pompidou. This initiative is part of a larger Saudi-French collaboration aimed at developing the Museum of Contemporary Art in AlUla, in the western Hejaz region of º£½ÇÖ±²¥.

Additionally, a cultural and artistic program will be established for the upcoming years until 2030, focusing on modern and contemporary Saudi artists and using resources from the Center Pompidou. The initiative will facilitate exchanges between cultural professionals from France and º£½ÇÖ±²¥, the RCU added.

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening culture as a bridge for international dialogue and advancing sustainable development, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

RCU also announced the Arduna exhibition, scheduled to take place during the AlUla Arts Festival in January 2026. The event is organized in collaboration with Arts AlUla, the Center Pompidou and the French Agency for AlUla Development. It will include workshops and live performances to support emerging talent and enhance AlUla’s cultural landscape.

The RCU said that it was working to strengthen AlUla’s position as a global hub for creativity, where heritage, innovation and knowledge come together to inspire future generations, according to SPA.


Saudi family traditions have shaped how people connect online, says exec

Saudi family traditions have shaped how people connect online, says exec
Updated 30 min 52 sec ago

Saudi family traditions have shaped how people connect online, says exec

Saudi family traditions have shaped how people connect online, says exec
  • Samer Lahoud: What we notice is that what people engage with, they are engaging a lot with the authentic content
  • Lahoud: The moment you start creating content which is not authentic, that is fake … or that is not interesting for people, the less they interact with it

RIYADH: The Saudi community’s deep sense of family and closeness has influenced how people connect online, shaping a culture rooted in authenticity and trust, according to a social media executive.

Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Athar Festival, with which Arab News is a media partner, Samer Lahoud, head of creative strategy for MENA at Snapchat, said that users are increasingly drawn to genuine content that builds real social bonds.

“What we notice is that what people engage with, they are engaging a lot with the authentic content. And this is where you feel that authenticity creates real social bonds, because it creates trust,†Lahoud said.

“The moment you start creating content which is not authentic, that is fake … or that is not interesting for people, the less they interact with it. So, the idea of social connection when it comes to authenticity and how to make it stronger is the power of it is that it all comes together with the power of trust.â€

Lahoud added that this pattern is particularly visible in º£½ÇÖ±²¥, where social media has become an extension of real-life relationships.

“When it came to Saudi society and how they really wanted that, they really wanted to build and enrich their connection with the closest circle that they had.â€

He added that Saudi culture’s emphasis on close-knit relationships has made the platform a natural fit for users who value real connection.

“By nature, Saudi society loves that closeness to their friend, to their family, to their extended society.

“So, let’s say that in Saudi we’re a perfect fit to the audience who really wanted that kind of intimacy and without the pressure of likes, without the pressure of followers.â€

Lahoud said º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s creative community reflects a strong sense of cultural pride.

“The good thing about Saudi is that we found that Saudis are very proud of local culture. They’re not here to imitate the global trend. They’re not here to bring things to the society that are not genuinely relevant to Saudi.â€

“They’re telling their story, the interpretation of their culture or the Saudi culture by this generation in a very authentic manner.â€

He added: “It goes back to the power of the Saudi creators who are really using that tool and social media and stories in a great way … I’m actually amazed every day when I see their creativity and how they’re using this medium.â€

He also spoke about how emerging technologies, such as AI and augmented reality, are enhancing creativity and accessibility for users and developers.

“AI is integrated in the art. But the beauty about it is that people don’t really think, ‘I’m using AI.’ It is within their experience,†Lahoud said.

He added that the company plans to launch AI-powered Spectacles in 2026, wearable AR glasses designed to combine augmented reality, spatial computing and AI capabilities.

“We also integrated AI in our AR Lens Studio to enable developers to be faster at what they’re developing, having better access to the platform.â€


Female leaders unite to address Yemen’s war and its toll on women

Female leaders unite to address Yemen’s war and its toll on women
Updated 22 October 2025

Female leaders unite to address Yemen’s war and its toll on women

Female leaders unite to address Yemen’s war and its toll on women
  • Session focused on the gendered consequences of the war in Yemen and explored how female parliamentarians can contribute to inclusive recovery efforts
  • More than 18 million people in Yemen are in need of assistance, and women and girls face heightened risks of displacement, food insecurity and gender-based violence

ALKHOBAR: Women parliamentarians, diplomats and rights advocates from the Gulf, the Middle East and Europe met in an online forum on Tuesday to discuss the humanitarian and political impact of Yemen’s ongoing conflict and the role of women leaders in shaping peacebuilding efforts.

The online meeting, organized by Forward Thinking, a London-based nongovernmental organization specializing in political dialogue and mediation across the Gulf-Middle East and North Africa region, was part of its Women for a Sustainable Future network.

The session, held under the Chatham House Rule, focused on the gendered consequences of the war in Yemen and explored how female parliamentarians can contribute to inclusive recovery efforts.

Speakers included Yemeni experts Ousan Mohammed Saeed Ali, head of the Women’s Department in the Supreme Council of the Popular Resistance; Dr. Nabila Ghaleb, founder of the Fekrah Foundation for Media Rights for Women; and Areej Rashid Thabet Al-Nabhi, a rights activist working with victims’ families.

Dr. Huda Al-Helaissi, former member of º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s Shoura Council, told Arab News afterward that the forum served to bring “issues of importance to global attention via its varied participants and international parliamentarians.â€

She explained that its goal was to “give access and voices to suffering people, especially women, who cannot reach the West.â€

Reflecting on the discussion, Al-Helaissi added that the meeting brought to the forefront the reality of the “distress and heartbreaking poverty†facing Yemenis and the particular “burden†endured by women.

After over a decade of conflict, more than 18 million people in Yemen are in need of assistance, and women and girls face heightened risks of displacement, food insecurity and gender-based violence.

Established in 2018, the Women for a Sustainable Future network brings together female parliamentarians, government officials, and experts from across the Gulf-MENA region and Europe.

Its members include representatives from º£½ÇÖ±²¥, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Sweden, and the UK. The initiative promotes cross-regional collaboration to tackle issues such as climate change, economic instability, and social inequality. 

Through regular meetings, both in person and online, the network creates a platform for women leaders to exchange knowledge and develop policy recommendations that can be implemented within their national parliaments.

Forward Thinking serves as the convenor of the network and maintains partnerships with institutions, including the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the World Health Organization.


Tree species discovered for first time at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve

Tree species discovered for first time at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve
Updated 22 October 2025

Tree species discovered for first time at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve

Tree species discovered for first time at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve
  • First discovery of a Maerua crassifolia tree, known as the sarh tree, at the reserve
  • Sarh tree is native to Africa and grows in the wild throughout the Middle East

RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority recently announced the first discovery of a Maerua crassifolia tree, known as the sarh tree, at the reserve.

The discovery occurred during field surveys by experts from the reserve to identify and protect rare plant species while promoting the sustainability of natural habitats.

The sarh tree is part of the Capparaceae family and grows up to 10 meters tall, with a stunted, twisted bole about 25 centimeters in diameter.

The sarh tree is native to Africa and grows in the wild throughout the Middle East, including the Arabian Peninsula and desert areas of the Levant.

It is threatened by land overuse and overgrazing, although it plays an essential role in stabilizing the ecosystem by enhancing vegetation cover, supporting wildlife, and maintaining ecological balance in dry regions such as the kingdom’s harsh climate.

“The sarh plant was once widespread in the Najd region, but its numbers have declined significantly due to excessive woodcutting, as its wood was highly sought after for its hardness and quality,†said Abdullah Alowaifeer, director general of environment and sustainability at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority.

Alowaifeer added: “We thought it had gone extinct in the reserve, but thankfully, we recently managed to discover a single tree.

“The importance of the sarh lies in being a wild tree that can withstand harsh conditions. It also serves as a natural carbon store and an important refuge for birds and wildlife.â€

According to the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, the tree was found in the Wadi Al-Shawki area.

Mahir Al-Qathami, CEO of the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, described the discovery of the tree as a “success†of the scientific efforts by the authority to study and document the natural environment, SPA reported.

He further said that continuous field surveys are essential for monitoring rare species and for developing strategies to protect and sustain them.

In addition, the royal reserve started implementing a protection plan right after the recent discovery, including fencing the site, conducting regular monitoring, installing an informational sign about the tree’s environmental importance, and collecting seeds to increase the plant’s numbers in other locations in the reserve.

“We are currently working on rehabilitating this plant species by establishing a dedicated nursery, collecting seeds and growing seedlings in preparation for replanting them in their natural habitats, with the goal of reviving the species and enhancing biodiversity in the reserve,†Alowaifeer said.