Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for diplomacy at ASEAN conference

According to the Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to regional diplomacy and cooperation during the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) Conference held in Manila. Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji attended the event on behalf of Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, representing the Kingdom at the conference themed around conflict prevention and preventive diplomacy.

During his address, Al-Khuraiji underscored the importance of strengthening dialogue and building mutual trust to address regional and global challenges. He noted that Saudi Arabia recognizes the vital role ASEAN plays in fostering peace and economic prosperity, and he expressed the Kingdom's intent to build upon the outcomes of previous ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summits to further expand economic integration and regional partnerships.

In addition to the focus on cooperation, the Saudi delegation used the platform to address ongoing regional security concerns. According to the report, Al-Khuraiji condemned recent attacks on Gulf infrastructure attributed to Iran and formally rejected allegations made by Houthi forces against the Kingdom. The statements reflect Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to maintain its diplomatic stance on regional security while engaging with international blocs like ASEAN to promote stability.