From souq to studio: How young Saudis are giving traditional metalwork new life

��’s traditional crafts, shaped over generations, carry stories that Fatimah Al-Nemer reinterprets through contemporary art techniques. (Supplied)

Short Url

https://arab.news/re576

Updated 57 sec ago

Waad Hussain Alkhobar

September 23, 2025 14:00

From souq to studio: How young Saudis are giving traditional metalwork new life

Updated 57 sec ago

Waad Hussain Alkhobar

September 23, 2025 14:00

��’s traditional crafts, once displayed as tokens of nostalgia in souqs and heritage festivals, are finding fresh life in the hands of a new generation.

Young artists are experimenting with copper, silver, brass, palm fronds, clay and wool, preserving techniques passed down through generations and reshaping them into contemporary works.

In Madinah, collector Somayya Al-Shareef describes her relationship with traditional silver pieces as a kind of dialogue across time.

“For me, antique silver pieces are like silent storytellers. I buy them not only for their beauty but for the lives they touched before reaching me,” she said.

What excites her most is seeing young artists melt these heirlooms into jewelry that feels both ancient and modern.

“Sometimes I feel old items get locked away as lifeless antiques,” she added. “But when artists reshape them, it feels like they’re given a second life instead of ending up forgotten in a box.”

Mishal Al-Amri has been upcycling waste materials from the streets of Jeddah into artwork for 20 years.

On the Red Sea coast in Jeddah, Rayan Al-Amoudi traces his love for copper back to childhood memories.

“I grew up watching my grandfather repair copper pots in the old souq,” he recalled.

Today, he sees his creative peers cutting and reshaping copper into wall art or light fixtures. “It’s a way of keeping our family traditions alive.”

For him, the movement also carries international weight. “In Jeddah, small workshops are run by young people experimenting with copper. Some pieces are now showcased abroad, which makes me feel our heritage can become a global brand.”

Further east in Dhahran, designer Dana Al-Ansari sees experimentation as the defining mark of her generation. “What I love is how experimental it’s become. Some of my friends mix traditional brass patterns with acrylic or resin to make sculptures. It’s bold, unexpected, but still rooted in Saudi identity.

“Even when we add modern materials like resin or acrylic, the designs stay authentically Saudi. The goal isn’t to copy Western art — it’s to give our heritage a new voice.”

In Jeddah, Mishal Al-Amri has been reshaping traditional metalwork. Where most people see scrap destined for landfill, Al-Amri sees raw material for art.

Over two decades, he has collected rusted bolts, pipes and discarded iron, welding them into large-scale sculptures.

As Arab News reported in July, Al-Amri said: “The artist has an eye that sees what others cannot, an eye that captures the beauty in the heart of the damaged and neglected, and restores it to life and meaning.”

His exhibition, “The Neglected,” invited audiences to see beauty in what was once abandoned. Beyond aesthetics, his work carried a message of sustainability: Recycling harmful waste into artistic forms that inspire environmental consciousness.

“My ultimate goal is to give scrap metal a new life,” Al-Amri told Arab News. “Art should protect the earth as much as it inspires the soul.”

At Riyadh’s Naila Art Gallery earlier this year, artist Fatimah Al-Nemer presented “Memory of Clay,” an exhibition that reinterpreted ancestral crafts as conceptual art.

Using palm fibers, clay and wool, she created installations that blurred the line between utility and expression.

As Arab News reported in May, Al-Nemer said: “This is not merely an aesthetic celebration. It’s a rewriting of our communal identity. Our heritage is rich.”

Her collaboration with Saudi craftswomen ensured generational knowledge was embedded in the work. For her, clay is a mirror of memory, “cracking to reveal hidden layers of nostalgia and wisdom,” she told Arab News at the time.

Participation in international art fairs has shown Saudi crafts in a new light. Al-Nemer’s clay installations resonate globally as meditations on memory and identity, while Al-Amri’s upcycled sculptures echo environmental discourses from Tokyo to Paris.

As Al-Nemer told Arab News: “Craft is no longer confined to the past — it is a living contemporary practice with global relevance.”

Topics: SND2025 ��

How artists today are reviving the traditional craft of natural textile dyeing

Updated 10 sec ago

Nada Alturki

September 23, 2025 12:00

How artists today are reviving the traditional craft of natural textile dyeing

Year of Handicrafts spotlights traditional dyeing techniques
Honor and ‘new life’ for the art, Hana Al-Milli tells Arab News

Updated 10 sec ago

Nada Alturki

September 23, 2025 12:00

RIYADH: Long before synthetic dyes and mass production became commonplace, handicrafts were coveted art forms.

As �� celebrates 2025 as the Year of Handicrafts, the work of artisans throughout history is in the limelight once again.

Artists and artisans across the Kingdom are reviving traditional crafts to reinvent contemporary artforms, including a resurgence in natural dyeing techniques.

�� artist Hana Al-Milli told Arab News: “I believe there is a renewed appreciation and effort to value these practices within the cultural scene.

Saudi textile artist Hana Al-Milli discovered a passion for natural dyeing because it became a way to express heritage and history. (Instagram)

“On one hand, there is a focus on preserving traditional methods in their original form. On the other (hand), contemporary artists, including myself, are reinterpreting these techniques in ways that make them relevant today.

“This dual approach ensures that the craft is both honored and given new life in modern contexts.

“In addition, many cultural initiatives now actively promote the teaching and learning of traditional crafts, instilling pride in Saudis and encouraging us to preserve and celebrate our heritage.”

Al-Milli graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Textiles and Fiber Arts, where much of her experimentation with materials began, including natural dyes.

“I discovered a passion for natural dyeing because it became a way to express heritage and history — two vital themes in my artistic process.

“It became an essential part of my work when I began researching natural dyes in the Arab world and uncovering their many connections to cultural practices.

“Through this research, I found both a conceptual and personal resonance. The process itself also requires reflection and patience, which mirrors the rhythm of my practice and gives depth to the multiple layers in my work.”

Her dyeing process begins with selecting both the fabric and the dye source, noting that natural dyes imprint differently on various natural fibers.

There are many techniques; some are more spontaneous, such as bundle dyeing, and others more structured, like the traditional Japanese resist-dye method shibori, as well as full immersion.

“There isn’t a single right way to dye; it depends on the desired outcome and the intended use of the textile. Personally, I often use bundle dyeing because it produces a raw and organic quality,” Al-Milli said.

For her, this knowledge about natural dyeing processes includes the responsibility to share these techniques with young, emerging artists.

“I see my practice not only as a personal artistic expression but also as a way to preserve tradition.

“By integrating natural dyes into my work, teaching others, and framing my themes around heritage, I contribute to keeping these techniques alive and evolving in contemporary contexts,” she explained.

While her practice also incorporates techniques such as silk-screen printing, photographic imaging on textiles, and embroidery, natural dyeing holds a special place in her heart.

Artists like Al-Milli prefer it because of its eco-friendly and sustainable nature, while being tied to heritage. The Kingdom is incentivizing other artists to experiment with the technique.

�� artist Zainab Abo Hussain, known for her miniature paintings, has taken on natural dyeing in her most recent artwork produced during Misk Art Institute’s screen-printing residency.

She produced a fabric carpet dyed with henna and saffron, and screen-printed using pigments extracted from pomegranate seeds and peels, as well as saffron, indigo, and other natural materials.

Saudi artist Zainab Abo Hussain, known for her miniature painting works, has taken on natural dyeing in her most recent artwork produced during Misk Art Institute’s screenprinting residency. (Instagram)

The decorative style is inspired by ancient Arabic manuscripts and miniatures, presented in a contemporary form.

“The Kingdom is making sure that it’s coming back, and you can see in AlUla (for example), they have women doing the weaving as well, the baskets and Sadu,” said Suhailah Abdelaziz, a Moroccan-American textile-based artist who was raised in ��.

AlUla’s Madrasat Addeera has put on workshops on the traditional art of textile dyeing, administered by Turquoise Mountain Arabia, where attendees learn to create natural dye from organic ingredients, such as pomegranate and turmeric, found in AlUla’s lush oasis.

Other workshops have also been put on by the National Museum and the Diriyah Biennale Foundation as a part of their programming.

Sadu weaving is an iconic Saudi handicraft, traditionally done by women in the southern regions of the country, where wool or camel hair is dyed naturally and woven into geometric patterns.

Another is the Al-Qatt Al-Asiri architectural style, another tradition originating from the southern regions, where women have long used natural pigments to create brightly colored, geometric wall paintings.

“For Sadu weaving, before they start weaving, they’ll dye the yarn either with Cochineal, which is essentially like a bug. You crush the bug, and then you can extract the dye, as well as Madder and Kermes,” Abdelaziz explained.

“Mostly, they use synthetic dyes now, due to globalization, but back then, they used to use saffron and henna to create these geometric patterns.

“And historically, they would use leaves, roots, petals, or any other natural resources. But mostly all the synthetic dyes right now are imported from India, Kuwait, etc.”

While synthetic dyes are considerably easier to use than organic ones, Abdelaziz prefers the experimental method that resembles adding a new voice and pushing it forward with each piece of fabric.

Suhailah Abdelaziz, a Moroccan American textile-based artist who was raised in ��, uses natural ingredients to create dyes. (Supplied)

Abdelaziz is the founder of Third Culture Child, a clothing concept brand inspired by her multicultural background, aimed at bringing playfulness and a wondrous spirit into clothing.

She uses various techniques including Batik, Indian block printing, and Japanese Shibori, that are reinterpreted through her own lens to make abayas.

By using natural dyes, like the rare ancient indigo pigment, madder root, henna, and logwood extract, her work hopes to keep the connection between the past and the present intact, while inspiring others to do the same.

“I like seeing what I can mix and what comes up. Each piece is slowly made and the dying process — it’s very rigorous, but the clothing carries the imprint of this process.

“Textiles hold the memory transformation, so it goes beyond clothing,” she explained. “It does demand you to remain patient and respect the material, respect the fabric. And it also adds depth and meaning to the finished piece.”

Topics: SND2025 heritage �� textile

Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh dies

Updated 23 September 2025

Arab News

September 23, 2025 11:15

Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh dies

Updated 23 September 2025

Arab News

September 23, 2025 11:15

JEDDAH: The Royal Court announced Tuesday the passing of Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh, ��’s Grand Mufti and head of the Council of Senior Scholars, state-run Al-Ekhbariya reported.

His funeral prayer will be held at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh later today.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz has directed that an absentee funeral prayer be performed for him at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and all mosques across the Kingdom after the Asr prayer.

Al-Asheikh was appointed to the position in 1999. He served as the highest-ranking religious scholar in the kingdom, interpreting Sharia law and issuing fatwas on legal and societal matters.

Topics: ��

Crafting a kingdom — how ��’s ‘Year of Handicrafts’ is preserving heritage

Updated 23 September 2025

Lama Alhamawi

Rahaf Jambi

September 23, 2025 09:00

Crafting a kingdom — how ��’s ‘Year of Handicrafts’ is preserving heritage

Updated 23 September 2025

Lama Alhamawi Rahaf Jambi

September 23, 2025 09:00

RIYADH: From the intricate Sadu weaving of Najd to the mountainous wicker crafts of Al-Baha and the delicate woodwork of Hijazi architecture, ��’s “Year of Handicrafts” is a national effort to commemorate, support and preserve the Kingdom’s diverse cultural heritage.

“The Year of Handicrafts has a great impact on traditional handicrafts,” Dr. Dalia Al-Yahya, head of the handicraft sector at the Ministry of Culture’s Heritage Commission and general manager of the Year of Handicrafts, told Arab News.

“It sheds light on the artisans, on the handmade works and on the richness that the Kingdom of �� is known for.”

Driven by Vision 2030, the Year of Handicrafts is a strategic initiative to honor and preserve ��’s rich cultural heritage through the time-honored tradition of passed-down crafts.

“I believe that handicrafts, this year, have an impact on two different areas,” said Al-Yahya.

“The first area is related to preserving these traditional crafts and enhancing the identity of citizens and the sense of belonging to the region, especially since the Kingdom of �� is characterized by the richness and diversity of its traditional crafts.

“In the other area, this year aims to enhance the status of artisans, train them and market their products, and sheds greater light on them as entrepreneurs in this field, in addition to the institutions and associations that work in the field of handicrafts.”

The Year of Handicrafts is part of a broader series of cultural years that have previously focused on topics such as Arabic calligraphy and poetry, Saudi coffee, and camels.

It aims to achieve several key objectives, such as enhancing cultural identity, empowering local artisans, promoting Saudi crafts globally, and connecting with artisans and the local and international community.

Under Vision 2030, the Heritage Commission is actively working to preserve the Kingdom’s handicrafts from each region while also sparking an entrepreneurial spirit in artisans to build a sustainable future.

The commission has dedicated a handicrafts sector that works to develop regulations, train artisans and market their products locally and internationally.

“The heritage authority has worked on many initiatives to empower artisans. The most important of these is the craft licenses,” said Al-Yahya.

Under their online platform, Ibda’a, the commission issues licenses to individual artisans and craft businesses. As of 2025, there are 4,855 licensed artisans.

A project called “Artisans House” serves as a space for raising awareness, training and developing traditional craft products while another scheme to preserve handicrafts includes the Saudi International Handicrafts Week, “Banan.”

This aims to highlight ��’s heritage by promoting cultural exchange with other countries, of which more than 25 took part in the early editions. The third will be launched in November, with a focus on introducing and marketing handicrafts.

“Approximately more than 500 exhibitors, both local and international, are participating,” said Al-Yahya.

Handicrafts serve as an authentic cultural lens into a region’s identity, with each piece drawing inspiration from its diverse landscapes and local surroundings. These crafts often use specific materials native to their area.

Al-Yahya highlighted the diversity to Arab News.

“If we look at coastal crafts, such as in some areas like Yanbu, Al-Qatif, and other coastal areas, these crafts are always related to the water that exists in the place, such as the craft of fishing nets, the manufacture of wooden ships, or even jewelry and gems related to shells or pearls and other crafts,” she said.

“If we take the mountainous regions, for example in Asir, we see that the crafts are related to this location, such as stone utensils, wooden boxes, wool and others that can withstand the cold of the weather and the geographical location.”

In the northern reaches of the kingdom, the traditional skill of Al-Naddafa, or wool and cotton processing, transforming raw materials into bedding and quilts, has long been practiced

Further south in the Najran region, a different kind of artistry thrives. The crafting of the Janbiya, a ceremonial dagger, is a skill passed down through generations.

These daggers serve as cultural symbols, each one featuring an intricately decorated blade and a sheath often covered in local leather or silver, worn with a leather belt.

In the green mountainous region of Al-Baha, wicker craft is a deep-rooted tradition, primarily practiced by women. Using locally sourced plants, they weave a variety of functional, everyday items, from baskets and bags to furniture, blending practicality with artistry.

And in the Hijaz region, woodwork known as Al-Rawasheen, has had a deep impact on the area’s historic architecture. It is visible in the decorative wooden protrusions on buildings in cities like Jeddah, Makkah, and Taif and, beyond the design, these structures serve a practical purpose — providing shade, privacy, and airflow in the hot climate.

Another example of a Saudi handicraft is Sadu weaving, recognized by UNESCO, which uses yarn made from sheep wool, camel hair, and goat hair to create blankets and other items featuring distinct symbols inspired by the desert.

Al-Yahya said the work led by the Heritage Commission also contributed to supporting the local economy by increasing artisans’ income.

“The biggest challenge we faced was balancing the need to find or preserve the authenticity of handicrafts with the current market needs,” she said.

“However, at the Heritage Commission we’ve launched many initiatives to strengthen this aspect and preserve the authenticity of these crafts.”

She said the commission’s “Craft Houses” initiative empowered craftspeople to create new designs, blending traditional heritage with modern standards.

“We have over 14 craft houses across the Kingdom, and each one focuses on the crafts found in its region,” she said.

“By reviving these crafts, there has been greater marketing for these traditional products, especially from visitors from outside the Kingdom of ��. So every visitor wants to get a piece connected to this place.”

Topics: SND2025 2025 ‘Year of Handicrafts’ Year of Handicrafts 15th Real Estate Development Summit ��

Digital Cooperation Organization chief brings latest plans to New York as UNGA high-level week begins

Updated 23 September 2025

Caspar Webb

Ephrem Kossaify

September 23, 2025 01:54

Digital Cooperation Organization chief brings latest plans to New York as UNGA high-level week begins

In interview with Arab News, Hajar El-Haddaoui hails �� as a ‘leading country’ in field of digital transformation
Organization has grown from 5 member states to 16, representing 800m people, with a support ‘ecosystem’ boasting world-leading firms such as Nvidia, TikTok, Deloitte

Updated 23 September 2025

Caspar Webb Ephrem Kossaify

September 23, 2025 01:54

NEW YORK CITY: �� serves as a leading example to the world for digital transformation, the director-general of the multilateral Digital Cooperation Organization said on Monday.

It came as the organization announced a slew of new measures to help lift developing countries out of so-called “digital poverty.”

Hajar El-Haddaoui was speaking in New York City, a day after her Riyadh-headquartered global institution signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with the Future Investment Initiative Institute, a nonprofit organization run by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Launched in 2020 during ��’s presidency of the G20, the DCO began with five members: the Kingdom, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Pakistan. Over the past five years, membership has grown to 16 states from the Arab world, Africa, Europe and Asia, with a combined population of about 800 million people and total gross domestic product of $3.5 trillion.

During a briefing held alongside the 80th UN General Assembly, El-Haddaoui outlined the DCO’s newest initiatives, including: “WE-Elevate,” a scheme designed to empower female entrepreneurs in the digital economy; a landmark treaty on the use of artificial intelligence; partnerships with prominent organizations such as the World Economic Forum and UN Women; collaborations with tech giants such as Microsoft, Nvidia and TikTok; and the launch of a comprehensive data analysis tool to help countries address digital deficiencies.

At its core, the DCO is committed to providing a multilateral platform, or “ecosystem,” involving public and private partners, to help solve digital issues, El-Haddaoui said.

“For example, for the disinformation initiative, governments are working to really tackle this important point, which is misinformation,” she added.

“But what we do is to bring them all sides; we bring social media companies, the government and the youth together at the same table.

“That’s the power of the DCO: convening all those key stakeholders to (provide) a solution and be more action-oriented than just declaration-oriented.”

A number of world-leading companies have joined the DCO as observers, providing the organization and its member states with support for efforts to bridge the digital divide. They include Deloitte, IBM, Oracle, Visa and KPMG.

During an interview with Arab News, El-Haddaoui was asked for the key message from her organization this year.

“The main message that we are bringing is the coordination of multilateralism, and to have less fragmentation in what we do through the digital economy,” she said.

“The importance of digital, in one layer and across industries and sectors, is today one of the priorities that the global economy has, and it’s important to play a role and collaborate with other organizations, like the UN, to empower countries through their digital transformation.”

Combining efforts with other multilateral organizations will help to “overcome the challenge” of the global digital divide, El-Haddaoui said.

In addition to private partners, the organization has signed landmark agreements with major international organizations to help bolster its ecosystem and provide member states with access to critical financing for digital development. It has also organized foreign direct investment in places such as in Pakistan, which this year received more than $700 million in funding commitments for digital upgrades.

“What we do is to connect the supply with the demand in the country, and tackle the competitive advantage of each and every country,” El-Haddaoui said.

The effectiveness of the DCO ecosystem is evident in member state Rwanda, she added, where efforts to empower local female entrepreneurs are bearing fruit.

“Mobilizing the global financing for digital development is really important,” El-Haddaoui said. “Here, our consortium of funding institutes help us to elevate and scale our initiatives in the member states.

“We’ve seen that women are very active in growing GDP and that’s what we boost: GDP and job creation. We’ve done a pilot in Rwanda by moving women from offline businesses to e-commerce, not only serving them with a platform but enhancing their skills capacity. They are financially savvy, trade savvy, e-commerce savvy.

“We provided them with the platform, through our partners and observers, … that has helped us through this pilot to elevate more than 150 businesses, creating 30,000 jobs.”

The DCO now plans to take its WE-Elevate Rwanda pilot scheme global and it is expected to create 250,000 jobs, El-Haddaoui added, “helping to create GDP and job creation for each and every nation.”

In an era of rapid technological progress and what has been termed the “AI age,” however, governments are struggling to appropriately prioritize the roll-out of the best technologies for the job, she said. As an illustration of this, she highlighted the example of an African country that had focused on upgrading the use of AI while only 20 percent of its population was connected to the internet.

To help governments “navigate the gap,” the DCO is about to roll out DEN 2.0, an update to its comprehensive Digital Economy Navigator. The tool, the new version of which will be launched in November, analyzes the state of digital economies in 80 countries using a vast array of data indicators, with the aim of gaining insights needed to “propose actions for policymakers, investors and innovators.”

By pooling their national digital policy efforts, DCO member states can follow leading examples from each other on a “plug and play” basis, El-Haddaoui said.

Projects implemented by �� have been borrowed by African countries, for example, resulting in “high speed, more efficiency and less investment because it’s a successful model,” she added. Similarly, other countries in the Arab world have also adopted technologies pioneered by ��, particularly in terms of government e-services.

The Kingdom is “one of the leading countries that we have in the digital transformation,” El-Haddaoui said.

This is due to ��’s “appetite for partnership, collaboration (and) cooperation,” she added, “and not only the way they collaborate with other nations or other member states” but also the way in which they “replicate and ‘plug and play’ the best practices, and I think it’s one of the best examples we have.”

El-Haddaoui gave the example of Absher, a digital app developed by the Saudi Ministry of Interior that provides access to a range of government services.

“What we do is provide the other countries with a solution that Saudi put in place, like Absher; it’s click, click and enter: you have everything,” she said.

Jordan is in the process of implementing a similar e-government platform based on this Saudi model, she added.

“The complete change that is happening today in Saudi is also very remarkable,” El-Haddaoui said, adding that the Arab world as a whole offers ample opportunities for cutting-edge digital transformation, as well as improvements to essential connectivity in less digitally advanced countries.

“We have, for example, very advanced (digital) countries like ��, Qatar and Kuwait, but also others that are emerging, like Morocco,” she said.

“The technology is starting really to accelerate the digital transformation. However, it’s a very interesting market with a massive youth population and also rapid technology adoption.”

One of the centerpieces of the latest DCO initiatives is a prospective treaty on AI, which is due to be launched early next year during the organization’s general assembly. It will provide guidance for all member states on an agreed code of conduct for the use of AI, with the potential for this to expand worldwide.

“What we want is really to have it in our member states, and then to replicate it in other countries with the collaboration and cooperation of other international organizations … plug and play in other regions,” El-Haddaoui said.

The enhancement of national resilience through an inclusive digital economy is a crucial aim of the DCO, she added, pointing out that 2.8 billion people worldwide lack internet access.

“It’s important. We cannot talk about luxury (development) when we don’t have the foundations. How to close this gap is really what we stand for today,” she said.

“Let us be the generation that chooses to have a digital economy that is more prosperous, more inclusive, but also with peace. And that’s my message and the message of this year.”

Topics: UNGA 80 Hajar El-Haddaoui Saudi Digital Cooperation Organization UNGA

�� calls for global recognition of Palestine and end to Israeli aggression in Gaza

Updated 23 September 2025

Arab News

September 22, 2025 23:11

�� calls for global recognition of Palestine and end to Israeli aggression in Gaza

At landmark UN summit co-chaired by the Kingdom and France, Saudi foreign minister condemns ‘repeated attacks’ on sovereignty of Arab and Muslim countries
Prince Faisal says Israel’s actions ‘threaten regional and international peace and stability and undermine efforts of peace in the region’

Updated 23 September 2025

Arab News

September 22, 2025 23:11

NEW YORK CITY: �� reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution to the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, during a peace conference co-chaired by the Kingdom and France at the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday.

Saudi authorities also called for global recognition of the State of Palestine, and an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank.

Delivering a statement on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, began by sharing greetings from King Salman, along with the crown prince’s best wishes for the success of the conference.

He also thanked the French president, Emmanuel Macron, for the formal declaration of France’s recognition of the State of Palestine.

The one-day Saudi-French conference took place amid escalating violence in the Middle East. Prince Faisal condemned Israel’s ongoing aggression in Gaza, the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem), including what he described as “brutal crimes,” as well as “repeated attacks on the sovereignty of Arab and Muslim countries,” citing in particular the recent Israeli strike on Doha.

“These actions underline the insistence of Israel to continue with its aggressive practices that threaten regional and international peace and stability and undermine efforts of peace in the region,” he said.

Only the implementation of a two-state solution can bring lasting peace, he added.

Prince Faisal also welcomed the recent successful vote by the UN General Assembly on the “New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” in which 142 member states out of 193 voted in favor.

“This reflects the will of the international community to render justice to the Palestinian people and consolidate their legal, historic rights in line with international frameworks, relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative,” he added.

He said �� stands ready to work with France and other peace-seeking nations to follow up on the outcomes of Monday’s conference, help end the war in Gaza, halt unilateral actions that undermine Palestinian sovereignty, and establish an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In his closing remarks, Prince Faisal thanked those states that have already officially recognized the State of Palestine, or plan to do so, and urged others to take “a similar historic step.”

He added: “Such action will have a great impact on supporting the efforts towards the implementation of the two-state solution, achieving permanent and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, and finding a new reality whereby the region can enjoy peace, stability and prosperity.”

FULL SPEECH:

In the name of God, the Merciful, the compassionate,

Your Excellency President of the Republic of France, your Excellency Secretary General, your Excellency President of the General Assembly, distinguished guests,

God, peace, and blessings be upon you. I have the honor to deliver the statement of the Kingdom of �� as a co-chair of this conference, on behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom.

It is my pleasure to convey to you the greetings of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and his wishes along with the crown prince’s wishes for the success of this conference. We thank His Excellency President Macron and His Excellency Antonio Guterres for their efforts towards achieving the two-state solution; we thank him also for recognizing the State of Palestine.

This conference is co-chaired by the Kingdom of �� and France at a time when the Israeli occupation authorities continue their aggression and their brutal crimes against our brothers the Palestinians in Gaza Strip and its violations in the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif and its repeated attacks on the sovereignty of Arab and Muslim countries, the latest of which was the attack against Qatar.

This underlines the insistence of Israel to continue with its aggressive practices that threaten regional and international peace and stability and undermine efforts of peace in the region. This reiterates our deeply rooted conviction that the implementation of the two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and permanent peace.

The historic position of his Excellency the French President to recognize the State of Palestine, and the fact that many countries have taken this similar courageous position, and the broad support for the resolution of the General Assembly to adopt (the declaration) the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution that received 142 votes in its favor reflects the will of the international community to render justice to the Palestinian people and consolidate their legal historic right in line with international frameworks and relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The Kingdom is keen on continuing its partnership with France and all countries calling for peace to follow up on the implementation of the outcomes of this conference to put an end to the war in Gaza and stop all unilateral measures that threaten Palestinian sovereignty, to work on ending the conflict in the region, and establish the Palestinian independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In conclusion, we thank again those countries that have recognized or have announced their intention to recognize the State of Palestine; we call all other countries to take a similar historic step that will have a great impact on supporting the efforts towards the implementation of the two-state solution, achieve permanent and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, and find a new reality whereby the region can enjoy peace, stability, and prosperity.

Thank you.

�� and France issued a statement after the peace conference at the UN General Assembly.

The text of the joint statement:

1. We, Leaders of the Republic of France and the Kingdom of ��, Co-Chairs of the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, commend States who gathered at the United Nations in New York on the 22nd of September 2025 at a historically critical moment for peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.
2. The High-Level International Conference led to the adoption of the New York Declaration endorsed by the General Assembly with an outstanding majority of 142 votes. This ambitious declaration reaffirms the unwavering international commitment to the Two-State solution and charts an irreversible pathway to build a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and all peoples of the region.
3. As we are gathered, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate with the intensification of the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza city, and with civilians and hostages paying an unjustifiable price due to the ongoing war. The New York Declaration aims at providing a principled, yet realistic alternative to the cycle of violence and endless wars.
4. It is now time for the international community to move from words to deeds. We commend the important work done by the seventeen co-chairs of the working groups of the conference to draw a path for a swift implementation of the Two-State solution. We call on all States to swiftly implement the New York declaration through tangible, concrete and irreversible measures. We welcome the important commitments and measures already taken by UN Member States.
5. We welcome the recognition of the State of Palestine by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Denmark, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, alongside France, confirmed today at the United Nations’ General Assembly. We invite States which have not done so to join this movement.
6. Ending the war in Gaza and ensuring the release of all hostages remains our absolute priority. We call for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, exchange of prisoners, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
7. In order to secure the Day After for Palestinians and Israelis, we commit to supporting the deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission upon invitation by the Palestinian Authority, to be mandated by the UN Security Council, in line with the New York Declaration. Meanwhile, we commit to scaling up our support to train and equip Palestinian police and security forces, building on existing programs, including USSC, EUPOLCOPPS and EUBAM Rafah.
8. We stress the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. We welcome the “One State, One Government, One Law, One Gun” policy of the Palestinian Authority and pledge our continued support to its implementation. In the context of ending the war in Gaza, we reiterate that Hamas must end its rule in Gaza, disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign Palestinian State.
9. This Conference, and the recognition of Palestine, aims at the realization of a sovereign, democratic and economically viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel. In that regard, we commend the historic commitments made by President Mahmoud Abbas including to the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, the continued rejection of violence and terrorism, and his statement that the Palestinian State has no intention to be a militarized State and is ready to work on security arrangements beneficial to all parties, in full respect of its sovereignty.
10. We welcome the reforms already underway by the Palestinian Authority, including:
The abrogation of the prisoners’ payment system, that is now effective;
The schooling/curricula reform, under EU supervision and with Saudi support;
The commitment to hold democratic and transparent general and presidential elections within a year after a ceasefire, enabling democratic competition between Palestinian actors committed to respect the PLO platform and principles.
We support President Abbas in advancing further measures to reform the governance of the Palestinian Authority.
11. We welcome the launching of the Emergency Coalition for Palestine to mobilize emergency budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority. We invite all States and international organizations to join this effort. We reiterate our call for the immediate release by Israel of withheld Palestinian tax revenues and commit to the revision of the Paris Protocol on Economic Relations and the establishment of a new framework for clearance revenue transfers.
12. We urge the Israeli leadership to seize this opportunity for peace, and to issue a clear public commitment to the Two-State solution, immediately end violence and incitement against Palestinians, halt all settlement, land grabs, and annexation activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and put an end to settlers’ violence. As a first step, we urge Israel to rescind the E1 project, and publicly renounce any annexation project. We reiterate that any form of annexation is a redline for the international community that bears serious consequences and constitutes a direct risk to existing and future peace agreements.
13. In that regard, we welcome concrete measures taken by Member States to respond to unilateral measures against the Two-State solution and to violations of international law until Israel puts an end to actions that are endangering the Two-State solution, in full compliance with international law.
14. We reaffirm that ending the Israeli occupation and achieving just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, based on the relevant UN resolutions, is the only way to achieve full regional integration, as provided for in the Arab Peace initiative. In that regard, we welcome the commitment to explore a regional security architecture that could provide security guarantees for all, building on the experience of ASEAN and OSCE, paving the way for a more stable Middle East. We reiterate our support to renewed effort on the Syria-Israel and Lebanon-Israel tracks with the aim of achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, in accordance with international law and the relevant UN resolutions.
15. We reiterate our call to all States to join this dynamic to ensure peace and security for all in the Middle East, mutual recognition and full regional integration.

Topics: UNGA 80 Saudi-French Palestine Conference ��

��

From souq to studio: How young Saudis are giving traditional metalwork new life

From souq to studio: How young Saudis are giving traditional metalwork new life

How artists today are reviving the traditional craft of natural textile dyeing

How artists today are reviving the traditional craft of natural textile dyeing

Traditional Al-Sadu pattern forms integral part of the ��’s cultural fabric

How �� is weaving sustainable practices into its fashion industry

Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh dies

Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh dies

Crafting a kingdom — how ��’s ‘Year of Handicrafts’ is preserving heritage

Crafting a kingdom — how ��’s ‘Year of Handicrafts’ is preserving heritage

Traditional Al-Sadu pattern forms integral part of the ��’s cultural fabric

One of ��’s oldest traditional forms of weaving remains a key aspect of community life

Digital Cooperation Organization chief brings latest plans to New York as UNGA high-level week begins

Digital Cooperation Organization chief brings latest plans to New York as UNGA high-level week begins

Saudi delegation departs for New York to attend UNGA80

�� to co-host AI event at UN General Assembly

�� calls for global recognition of Palestine and end to Israeli aggression in Gaza

�� calls for global recognition of Palestine and end to Israeli aggression in Gaza

FULL SPEECH:

The text of the joint statement:

‘The time has come,’ Macron tells landmark UN conference as slew of countries recognize Palestine

Palestinian Authority says France’s recognition of state ‘historic and courageous’

Latest updates

Howe confident Newcastle will find ‘X factor’

Oman’s Islamic finance sector to top $40bn amid regulatory reforms, sukuk growth: Fitch

WHO says evidence ‘inconsistent’ of link between autism and paracetemol use in pregnancy

Syria to establish new parliament, testing inclusivity pledge

East Timor to become ASEAN bloc’s 11th member in October

Recommended

Frankly Speaking: The most dangerous era for aid workers?

How rooftop gardens and urban greenery are transforming Arab cities

How mindfulness is enabling Arab families to cope with the stress of modern life

Search form

Print Edition

Search form

Search form

You are here

From souq to studio: How young Saudis are giving traditional metalwork new life

From souq to studio: How young Saudis are giving traditional metalwork new life

How artists today are reviving the traditional craft of natural textile dyeing

Related

Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh dies

Crafting a kingdom — how ��������’s ‘Year of Handicrafts’ is preserving heritage

Related

Digital Cooperation Organization chief brings latest plans to New York as UNGA high-level week begins

Related

�������� calls for global recognition of Palestine and end to Israeli aggression in Gaza

FULL SPEECH:

The text of the joint statement:

Related

Latest updates

Recommended

Search form

Print Edition

Crafting a kingdom — how ��’s ‘Year of Handicrafts’ is preserving heritage

�� calls for global recognition of Palestine and end to Israeli aggression in Gaza