Saudi Gazette report

NEW YORK — Saudi G20 Sherpa Dr. Fahad Al-Mubarak briefed the United Nations General Assembly on the G20 Presidency Agenda and priorities in 2020.

In his address, Al-Mubarak said Saudi Arabia would strive to build consensus and deliver concrete results on issues that are critical for all people of the world.

In an informal session, attended by representatives from the UN member states, Al-Mubarak presented the theme, aims and main priorities during the Saudi Presidency of the Summit.

At the outset of the session, the UN General Assembly President and UN Undersecretary General welcomed the Saudi Sherpa and looked forward to a successful G20 Summit in Riyadh.

Before giving a broad overview of the agenda, the Sherpa emphasized the links among the Saudi G20 program, the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

He highlighted that, under the guidance of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, the 2020 G20 Agenda development process was conducted in an inclusive and comprehensive way in order to reflect the issues that are extremely significant for the entire world.

Al-Mubarak also emphasized the complementary nature of the G20 and the UN as key international mechanisms for promoting international cooperation, saying that the G20 provides momentum and policy guidance wherever they are needed.

On the main objectives of the Summit, he said that under the theme of the Summit, titled “Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All,” the Saudi G20 Presidency would focus on three aims:

• Empowering People, by creating the conditions in which all people —especially women and young people — can live, work and thrive.

• Safeguarding the Planet, by fostering collective efforts to protect our commons, especially on the topics of food and water security, climate, energy, and environment.

• Shaping New Frontiers, by adopting long-term bold strategies to utilize and share the benefits of innovation and technological advancement.

During the briefing session, Al-Mubarak also presented the priorities that will be at the center of the G20 discussions under the Saudi G20 Presidency and gave details about the global challenges that the G20 countries can address jointly to achieve economic growth and sustainable development.

“Since many of the challenges before us are global in nature, no country can effectively address them alone,” he said, adding, “We have a shared interest and a shared responsibility to work together to realize opportunities of the 21st century for all.”

Al-Mubarak will continue his global outreach to engage the international community in the G20 efforts throughout the year and will join other high-level meetings representing the Saudi G20 Presidency.

Further information about the G20, including the Presidency Agenda and full program of events, can be had through a visit to the Summit website www.g20.org