Saudi Arabia Signals Strong Commitment to BRICS+ Cooperation and Regional Peace at Kazan Summit

Saudi Arabia, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, marked a significant presence at the 2024 BRICS+ Summit in Kazan, Russia, joining Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and BRICS+ partner countries in a renewed commitment to global development and security. Representing the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Faisal expressed Saudi Arabia's deepening ties with BRICS nations, highlighting the Kingdom’s role in fostering regional stability and advocating for sustainable global cooperation.

In his address, Prince Faisal conveyed greetings from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, expressing Saudi Arabia's appreciation for the warm reception extended by President Vladimir Putin and BRICS leaders. He underscored the growing economic relations between Saudi Arabia and BRICS countries, with trade between the Kingdom and BRICS partners reaching over $196 billion in 2023—accounting for 37% of Saudi Arabia’s total foreign trade. The summit, he emphasized, offers a unique platform to further deepen this cooperation, enabling BRICS and Saudi Arabia to collectively address shared global challenges, from economic resilience to sustainable development.

Against the backdrop of international tensions, Prince Faisal noted Saudi Arabia's concerns over escalating geopolitical strains, stressing that “at a time when we most need to confront global challenges, we witness rising tensions, polarization, and alignments that weaken the flexibility and effectiveness of multilateral forums.” He reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening international institutions to address the diverse needs of all nations, aligning with BRICS' goal of fostering a multipolar global order.

Addressing the unfolding crisis in Gaza, Prince Faisal condemned the “ongoing Israeli aggression,” citing its potential to destabilize regional and international security. He cautioned that the conflict’s spillover into Lebanon threatens broader regional peace, and called for an immediate ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic solution to restore stability. The minister outlined Saudi Arabia’s recent initiative—the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution—as a collaborative effort with international partners to grant Palestinians the right to self-determination. He praised BRICS nations for their unified support of this initiative and for backing a solution based on the 1967 borders, establishing East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.

The summit, under the motto “Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security,” drew over 2,000 journalists and representatives from 36 countries and six international organisations, including the UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The inclusion of Saudi Arabia as a BRICS+ participant reflects the bloc's expanded engagement with global partners committed to a balanced, multilateral approach to international relations.

TV BRICS, an international media network, played a crucial role in covering the summit, providing round-the-clock broadcasts in multiple languages and reinforcing BRICS’ unified message across partner nations. Established following a proposal by President Putin at the 2017 BRICS summit in China, TV BRICS has since grown to include over 70 media outlets from countries worldwide, including Egypt, Iran, the UAE, and Argentina, amplifying BRICS' impact on the global information landscape.

With a commitment to advancing shared development goals, Prince Faisal reiterated Saudi Arabia’s intention to deepen its partnership with BRICS countries, leveraging the Kingdom’s economic and diplomatic strengths to promote global prosperity.