RIYADH: Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, arrived in Washington on Monday for talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
During the visit, the two sides will discuss bilateral relations, as well as key regional and international developments, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.
Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan arrives in Washington, DC on an official visit. pic.twitter.com/yOHzTxyrIK
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) September 28, 2026
It is pertinent to mention that Saudi Foreign Minister addressed the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday.
He appreciated the peace and de-escalation efforts by Pakistan, Qatar and other countries, as he warned that escalating tensions in the Middle East posed risks to international peace, energy security and global trade.
He said Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region had been subjected to “flagrant Iranian attacks” targeting security resources as well as civilian and economic facilities.
He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to protect its security and sovereignty, along with its citizens, residents and national resources, while urging the international community to confront threats to international peace and security.
“The security of the Gulf region is part and parcel of the security of the region and the world at large,” he said.
Protecting vital waterways
The Saudi foreign minister stressed that stability in the Gulf was directly linked to global energy security, international trade and supply chains.
He called for freedom of navigation through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and rejected the use of these routes by any party as an instrument of pressure or threat.
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He also called for the situation in the Strait of Hormuz to return to its status before 28 February, “without the imposition of any fees or restrictions”.
Despite the heightened tensions, Prince Faisal backed diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation, including initiatives by Pakistan, Qatar and other countries.
He advocated comprehensive and sustainable regional security arrangements aimed at addressing the underlying causes of instability.
Saudi Arabia announces $6 million contribution to UN Counter-Terrorism Centre
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Sunday announced that the Kingdom will provide $6 million in financial support for the programmes of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT).
The announcement was made during his meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported .
The Kingdom’s financial contribution to the Centre will be provided over four calendar years, beginning in the 2027 fiscal year.
