Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz emphasized that energy was and will continue to be politicized in one way or another as a tool to help people prosper and prevent others from monetizing their resources and achieving prosperity.
Addressing the Russian Energy Week Forum in Moscow on Wednesday, the Energy Minister said: "I am not a naive person who would say that we will reach a day when energy will be depoliticized. It is unfortunate that energy has been and will continue to be politicized in one way or another as a tool to help people prosper and as a tool to prevent others from monetizing their resources and achieving prosperity."
"This is a reality that we must acknowledge and recognize, and this is the message we must hear: we must not follow a unilateral approach, regardless of who demands that others follow a unilateral approach and issue orders from the top down."
Prince Abdulaziz called on everyone to seek energy security and strive for prosperity and sustainability, noting that no one will give up on this, as governments are responsible for their people. “Unless they monetize their resources and make energy a pillar of their economic prosperity, there will be no energy security or economic prosperity. Consequently, sustainability will not be achieved, and climate change goals will not be met,” he said.
The minister announced that Saudi Arabia and Russia are planning to hold a joint business forum in the coming period, with the participation of approximately 100 Russian companies and businessmen, along with the Saudi private sector. He indicated that the forum will witness the signing of several joint agreements.
Prince Abdulaziz said that the Kingdom is expanding cooperation with Moscow in various sectors and making innovation a priority. “Work is underway with Moscow to develop innovation and memoranda of understanding, and that we look forward to the 2026 summit, which will be hosted in the Kingdom,” the minister said while noting that there is serious cooperation in the field of electrical networks and technologies. “There is a tourism linkage project, as we recently launched direct flights between Riyadh and Moscow. Here in Moscow, we see the growth of Saudi tourism, and certainly Russian tourism in the Kingdom is also growing,” he said.
The minister pointed out that these cooperation and achievements concern more than 11 sectors and include more than 27 institutional entities from both countries, reflecting sustainable and shared growth through which we seek to achieve innovation and long-term prosperity for both countries. He also noted many areas of convergence and similarity, and it can be said that these areas of convergence are increasing, and all of this will be highlighted during the meeting of the Joint Governmental Committee, scheduled to be held on November 5 and 6.
Officials from around 85 countries are taking part in the three-day forum.