RIO DE JANEIRO, Monday, July 7, 2025 (WNP): Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah on Monday represented the Kingdom at the 17th BRICS Summit 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, participating in the first session of the summit’s second day. Saudi Arabia is attending the summit as an invited country, amid growing global interest in BRICS as a rising multilateral bloc.
The session, titled “Environment, United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), and Global Health,” opened with Prince Faisal expressing the Kingdom’s appreciation to Brazil for hosting the summit and lauding its leadership as current BRICS chair.
Prince Faisal reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to deepening cooperation through multilateral platforms and working collectively toward a future marked by sustainable development and shared prosperity. He emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration in tackling climate and health challenges, reaffirming Riyadh’s adherence to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.
Congratulating Brazil on its upcoming presidency of COP30, he underscored the need for a “practical and balanced” approach to climate action that takes into account the varied circumstances of nations. He noted Saudi Arabia’s innovations in environmental management, especially in water-scarce regions, and highlighted the Kingdom’s establishment of the Global Water Organization to promote equitable access to water resources worldwide.
On global health, Prince Faisal outlined the Kingdom’s transformative reforms under Vision 2030, particularly those focusing on preventive care and integrated health systems. He cited Saudi Arabia’s experience in managing millions of pilgrims during Hajj and Umrah as a global model for health emergency preparedness.
Addressing the wider geopolitical context, Prince Faisal stressed the urgent need for international cooperation to prevent further conflict escalation and maintain global security. He strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, especially those targeting health facilities and civilians, calling them flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and a serious threat to the international rules-based order.
He urged the international community to act decisively to ensure the protection of civilians and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid. Reiterating Saudi Arabia’s firm stance, he called for a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the Gaza crisis based on the two-state solution and in accordance with international law.
The session was attended by senior Saudi officials including Saudi Ambassador to Brazil Dr. Faisal Ghulam, Assistant Director General of the Office of the Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Ismail, Advisor to the Foreign Minister Mohammed Alyahya, and Director General of International Organizations Shahir Al-Khenini.
