CAMBRIDGE: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has reaffirmed that diplomacy remains the only viable route to achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, warning that military action alone cannot resolve the region’s deep-rooted challenges.
Addressing the opening session of the 16th Gulf Research Meeting via video link on Wednesday, the Saudi foreign minister said the region had once again reached a pivotal moment, with recent developments illustrating how rapidly regional tensions could spill over to affect global security, energy markets and economic growth.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan stressed that the international community must move beyond managing crises through temporary ceasefires or periodic de-escalation and instead pursue sustainable diplomatic solutions that address the underlying causes of instability.
He said genuine and enduring security could only be achieved through dialogue, cooperation and adherence to international law, adding that preserving the rules-based international order should remain a shared global priority.
The minister outlined what he described as the essential foundations of a stable regional order, citing the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
These include respect for national sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of states, good neighbourly relations, non-aggression, freedom of navigation and full compliance with international law.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan also underscored the importance of preventing support for non-state actors, saying such principles must form the basis of any future regional security framework.
He further argued that violations of these norms should carry meaningful consequences, warning that aggression, coercion, interference in the affairs of other countries and attempts to establish regional dominance ultimately undermine stability and prosperity.
Expressing confidence in the region’s long-term prospects despite current geopolitical challenges, Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Saudi Vision 2030 reflected the Kingdom’s belief that development, innovation and economic opportunity offered a more sustainable path than conflict.
He said unlocking the Middle East’s vast potential required a secure environment in which governments, businesses and societies could prioritise investment, education, economic growth and regional cooperation instead of repeatedly responding to crises.
The foreign minister urged regional and international stakeholders to seize the current moment to lay the foundations for a more cooperative regional order built on mutual respect, clear principles and durable agreements capable of delivering lasting peace, security and shared prosperity.
Concluding his remarks, Prince Faisal bin Farhan highlighted the value of forums such as the Gulf Research Meeting in fostering dialogue, generating policy ideas and strengthening international understanding at a time of heightened regional uncertainty.
