The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes in the effectiveness of cooperation with all countries of the world and joining international and regional organizations. Ever since its inception, the Kingdom has contributed to the establishment of many international organizations, and secured membership in some of them not only with participation and commitment, but also with huge material support.

In this context, I would like to point out that these organizations include the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Muslim World League, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and in particular the United Nations Organization. The Kingdom is one of the founding countries of UN and had actively contributed to the San Francisco Conference in approving the UN Charter in 1945.

The Kingdom was and still is an active and effective member supporting the activities of the global organization, and is always keen on supporting it and adopting the principles contained in its charter. It is also keen on the payment of its material and voluntary obligations with taking part in financing UN funds and programs and strengthening its membership in specialized organizations affiliated with UN such as the International Labor Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, UNESCO, UNICEF, World Trade Organization, OPEC, International Atomic Energy Agency and the like.

The Kingdom also worked to support humanitarian organizations and emerged to be the largest aid donor, outshining major world powers such as the United States, Germany and Japan. It has become the global model in terms of providing humanitarian and relief assistance to the poor and refugees, as well as to victims of wars and natural disasters.

The Kingdom is one of the leading countries in supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the United Nations Development Program, the International Red Cross and the World Health Organization (WHO). Perhaps the best evidence of this is the Kingdom’s mammoth efforts during these days in combating coronavirus pandemic, for which it has won accolades from the WHO. This is mainly because of the Kingdom’s provision of an urgent grant worth $10 million and a pledge to pay $500 million to support international efforts to confront coronavirus.

All of this support stems from the Kingdom’s sense of commitment and moral and humanitarian responsibility and its vision as an active member of the international community and as a throbbing heart of the Islamic world. In recognition of this support, the Kingdom continues to enjoy a distinct position among the countries of the world and remains a heavyweight at the Arab, Islamic, international and humanitarian levels. It occupies a vital position and unique standing in most of these international and regional organizations, the most prominent of which is the Group of 20 major economies (G20).

However, its position remains below the levels expected, and the Kingdom’s permanent representation in these international organizations and offices remains not at all realistic, and even legally incompatible while comparing with the volume of the Kingdom’s contributions, efforts, and international, religious, and developmental commitments. Hence, the Kingdom’s ambition remains greater to increase its influence within international organizations.

Getting closer to the Kingdom only for the purpose of collecting financial donations will not help in building and enhancing cooperation and mutual trust. Rather, international organizations should give the Kingdom its genuine position and recognition that is in line with the size of its efforts and the importance of the role it has been playing in international issues.

In this context, we hope to establish permanent international humanitarian and development institutions in the Kingdom in a manner commensurate with its role as one of the largest actors in the field of humanitarian and development assistance. The Kingdom should be treated on the basis of this and there should be a presence of international organizations in it, especially when the Kingdom sees the presence of regional offices and hosting of conferences of international organizations even by smaller Gulf and Arab countries.

We also hope to invest all possible data and opportunities to increase the Kingdom’s influence within international organizations that cannot be achieved with financial support alone. Strengthening the presence of Saudi human resources in leadership positions in these organizations is as much important as the financial support. The Kingdom’s presence in these bodies would enhance the opportunity to see the real role being played by it in these organizations as well as in drawing up of their policies, goals and decisions.

It also ensures the presence of the voices defending Saudi Arabia in all international meetings, so that the Kingdom, through the presence of its delegates, will be a partner in formulating international strategic and historic decisions. And this would influence the Kingdom’s relationship in the global arena, as it is one of the strategic goals to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which abounds in ambitions and aspirations.