المملكة: المملكة وبريطانيا تؤكدان أهمية تعزيز الشراكة الاقتصادية وزيادة الاستثمار المتبادل

The Kingdom and Britain stressed the importance of strengthening the economic partnership between the two kingdoms, and their commitment to increasing the volume of bilateral trade to $37.5 billion by 2030 AD, and increasing investment in the two kingdoms, through the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the United Kingdom’s industrial strategy, in the industries of tomorrow, which would advance the capacity Future global competitiveness, providing job opportunities and prosperity for both peoples, in order to achieve sustainable growth. This came in the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the visit of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, to the Kingdom, as follows: Based on the strong ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, the British Prime Minister, Mr. Keir Starmer, made an official visit to the Kingdom on 8 Jumada al-Akhira. 1446 AH corresponding to December 9, 2024 AD. His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received His Excellency Prime Minister Mr. Keir Starmer at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. They held an official discussion session, during which they stressed the importance of the role played by the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council in enhancing cooperation between the two countries, and expressed their aspiration to holding the next session of the Council meeting in the United Kingdom. They reviewed the significant progress made in developing and diversifying bilateral relations, and agreed on an ambitious program of cooperation to promote mutual prosperity, common security, and address global challenges. The two sides agreed on the importance of strengthening the economic partnership between the two kingdoms, and affirmed their commitment to increasing the volume of bilateral trade to $37.5 billion by 2030, and increasing investment in the two kingdoms, as both countries invest, through the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the United Kingdom’s industrial strategy, in the industries of tomorrow. Which will advance future global competitiveness, provide job opportunities and prosperity for both peoples, in order to achieve sustainable growth. The two sides welcomed the significant progress made on the free trade agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council and the United Kingdom. The two sides praised the growth of mutual investments, and noted the large Saudi investments in the United Kingdom in 2024, including the investments of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, including (Selfridges) and (Heathrow Airport), and the additional investment in (Newcastle United Football Club), which strengthens the growing relations. Between North East England and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom is also one of the largest foreign investors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and in this regard, we noted the announcement of the British Export Finance Authority of its plans to increase the size of its market exposure to… 6 billion US dollars, in light of the success of financing (compliant with Islamic law) worth about 700 million dollars for investment in the Qiddiya project. The two sides praised the existing cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector, and stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in the fields of electricity, renewable energy, and clean hydrogen and its applications, including focusing on developing policies, regulations, and standards for clean hydrogen, business models for clean hydrogen, and building human capabilities as a key enabler. For successful multilateral cooperation in the clean hydrogen sector. The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing the reliability of global supply chains, specifically with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s launch of the Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative to secure supplies for various global supply chains, especially in the areas of renewable energy, hydrogen production, green minerals, specialized petrochemicals, waste recycling, and electric vehicles. The two sides welcomed the Kingdom’s launch of five special economic zones targeting strategic industries and sectors, and providing British companies with the opportunity to benefit from the advantages and incentives provided by the zones at all levels of supply chains and across various sectors. The two sides affirmed their commitment to enhancing joint cooperation in the fields of clean technology, energy innovations and sustainability, contributing to sustainable economic growth, and developing trade partnerships between the two countries. They expressed their aspiration to develop long-term strategic partnerships that serve mutual interests. They agreed to work jointly to establish a clean hydrogen alliance between Saudi and British universities, led by King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and the University of Newcastle. The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in the financial services sector, including banking, financial technology, asset management, green finance, and insurance. The two sides agreed on the importance of continuing to enhance cooperation in the areas of critical minerals and mining to support responsible, diversified and flexible supply chains, including the partnership between the Camborne School of Mining at the University of Exeter and the Center for Accelerating Innovation in Minerals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and they agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of developing sectors. Sustainable mining, diversifying the supply of rare earth minerals used in clean technologies. The British side also confirmed its support and intention to participate at a high level in the Saudi Minerals Future Forum, scheduled to be held in January 2025. The two sides stressed the centrality of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and noted the results of the Twenty-Ninth Conference of the Parties (COP29), and the importance of working to achieve an ambitious and balanced result at the Thirty-ninth Conference of the Parties (COP30) in 2025. The British side welcomed the Kingdom’s ambitions and leadership through the “Green Saudi Arabia” and “Green Middle East” initiatives, and its presidency of the (sixteenth) session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. It also expressed its support for the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fields of environment and climate change through Implementing the circular carbon economy approach launched by the Kingdom and approved by the G20 leaders. The British side affirmed its strong support for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and its commitment to the opportunities it provides within the framework of the partnership between the two countries. The two sides welcomed the increasing number of visitors between the two kingdoms, and expressed their aspiration to increase these numbers further, especially in light of increasing air connectivity between the two countries, and facilitating the requirements for obtaining… Visa from both sides. The two sides agreed on the importance of enhancing cultural cooperation in various cultural sectors within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two kingdoms, including cooperative initiatives between cultural institutions and organizations in the two countries, intensifying participation in international cultural and artistic events held in the two countries, and exchanging experiences in the field of heritage infrastructure. and museums, including through the launch of a new implementation program to enhance UK engagement in the development of Al Ula Governorate. The two sides welcomed the agreement to launch a partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the British Council, coinciding with the Council’s celebration of the 90th anniversary of its founding. The two sides praised the results of strategic cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, higher education and training. They welcomed the strategic plans to increase the number of British schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to reach (10) schools by 2030 AD, and to open foreign branches of British universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to support the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vision of creating a knowledge-based economy driven by excellence in education. The two sides expressed their commitment to continuing discussions on increasing cooperation in the areas of special educational needs, technical and vocational education and training. The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation in the field of health care, including through joint initiatives to support the training of nurses, for mutual benefit. He noted the ongoing discussions between British universities and potential Saudi partners regarding establishing a college to train nurses in the Kingdom. They affirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation to confront global health challenges. The two sides agreed on the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities available in the two countries to increase cooperation in the areas of food safety and agricultural products. The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in sports activities and programs, and praised the joint project between Saudi and British universities to support the development of future women leaders in the field of sports. They also praised the growing partnership in the field of e-sports. The two sides praised the level of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense and security over the past decades, and affirmed their commitment to an ambitious and future strategic defense partnership, which contributes to its development into a modern partnership that focuses on industrial cooperation, capacity development, increasing interoperability, and cooperation on common threats, which contributes to achieving security and prosperity. In both countries. They agreed to expand cooperation in key areas including cyber and electromagnetic activity, advanced weapons, ground forces, helicopters, and fighter aircraft. The two sides agreed to enhance security cooperation on issues of common interest, including combating terrorism and extremism, and enhancing cybersecurity. The two sides stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of humanitarian and relief work, and stressed the need to continue cooperation in international forums and organizations, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the G20, to address global economic challenges. They affirmed their commitment to unifying efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and holding a Saudi-British strategic dialogue (annually) on humanitarian aid and international development. They agreed to jointly finance projects worth $100 million, focusing on urgent humanitarian aid and development support. Regarding regional and international affairs, the two sides stressed the need to reduce regional escalation, and the importance of adhering to international standards and the United Nations Charter. Regarding developments in the situation in Gaza, the two sides stressed the need to end the conflict in Gaza and release the hostages immediately, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 2720 (2023), 2728 (2024), and 2735 (2024), and stressed the urgent need for Israel to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. To deliver humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinian people, and to enable international and humanitarian organizations to carry out their work, including That is United Nations organizations, especially the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The two sides discussed how to work between the two countries to implement the two-state solution in order to achieve a lasting peace that allows Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side within their safe and recognized borders. The British side expressed its aspiration to hold the high-level international conference on a peaceful solution to implement the two-state solution, which will be jointly chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France in June 2025. Regarding the Syrian issue, the two sides welcomed taking any positive steps to ensure the safety of the Syrian people, stop the bloodshed, and preserve the institutions and capabilities of the Syrian state. The two sides called on the international community to stand by the Syrian people and cooperate with the Syrian people. The two sides also called for providing support to Syria at this pivotal stage to help it overcome the suffering of the Syrian people that has been going on for many years, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent people and caused the displacement of millions. It is time for the Syrian people to have a bright future of security, stability and prosperity. Regarding the Lebanese issue, the two sides stressed the importance of maintaining the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and reaching a political settlement in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution No. 1701. They agreed on the need for Lebanon to overcome its political crisis and elect a president capable of carrying out the necessary economic reforms. The two sides affirmed their full support for the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen, and stressed the importance of supporting international and regional efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis. They also agreed on the importance of ensuring the security and stability of the Red Sea region to achieve global economic stability. Regarding the Sudanese issue, the two sides stressed the importance of building on the Jeddah Declaration regarding the commitment to protect civilians in Sudan by continuing the dialogue to achieve a complete ceasefire, resolve the crisis, alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, and preserve Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and national institutions. The two sides welcomed the continued communication between the two countries regarding the war in Ukraine, and stressed the importance of making all possible efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with the Charter of the United Nations. At the conclusion of the visit, the British Prime Minister, Mr. Keir Starmer, expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the good reception and generous hospitality he and the accompanying delegation received, and his best wishes. Wishing the friendly Saudi people more progress and prosperity. His Highness also expressed his best wishes for good health and well-being for the British Prime Minister, Mr. Keir Starmer, and further progress and advancement for the friendly British people. // End // 23:38 T.M. NNNN