‘Riyadh Declaration’ Issued by the Second Ministerial Meeting between Members of the League of Arab States and the Pacific Small Island Developing States

‘Riyadh Declaration’ Issued by the Second Ministerial Meeting between Members of the League of Arab States and the Pacific Small Island Developing States

The Second Ministerial Meeting between Members of the League of Arab States and the Pacific Small Island Developing States issued the “Riyadh Declaration,” which reads as follows:

In response to the kind invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the members of the League of Arab States and the Pacific Small Island Developing States convened the second ministerial meeting, on 12th of June in Riyadh, under the chairmanship of H.H. Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the meeting’s host, in the company of H.E Ahmed Aboul-Gheit Secretary General of the League of Arab States. The meeting was held in order to continue developing joint cooperation efforts between both parties in economic and developmental and environmental fields.

The meeting outlined the relations between the Arab Countries and the Pacific Small Island Developing States and discussed economic, development and environmental fields.

The meeting recalled the outcomes of the first Joint Ministerial Meeting that took place between both sides on 24 June 2010 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. They emphasized the common commitment to promote a productive partnership between the Arab countries and the Pacific Small Island Developing States, that enhances South-South Cooperation, and that is mutually beneficial.

The meeting acknowledged that the Pacific Small Islands Developing States and the Arab States are steadfast in their dedication to peace, harmony, and the ongoing prosperity of their peoples, cultures and values, oceans and lands. Recognizing the immeasurable value of their unique environments, the sanctity of human life, and the rich tapestry of their cultures.

The meeting noted the Pacific Islands Forum Declaration on Preserving Maritime Zones in the face of climate change related Sea Level Rise, which proclaims that maritime zones, established in accordance with the 1982 UNCLOS, and the rights and entitlement that flows from them, shall continue to apply, without reduction, notwithstanding any physical changes connected to climate change related sea-level rise.

The meeting noted Pacific Islands Forum have declared a Climate Emergency in the Pacific region, the meeting agreed to work together in implementing the Paris Agreement and called for stronger and more ambitious climate action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels and call for collective efforts for the provision of financial, technology transfer and capacity building support for developing countries, and additional and accessible finance addressing climate change.

The meeting recognized the special circumstances of Arab states and Small Island Developing States in relation to access to financing for development including climate finance.

The meeting stressed the importance of keeping the maritime resources free from environmental pollution by radioactive wastes and other radioactive matters as well as from plastics. The meeting also stressed the importance of ensuring international consultation, adherence to international law and independent and verifiable scientific assessment to protect, preserve and sustainably manage the ocean and its marine resources. The meeting also stressed the centrality of providing finance and technology transfers with respect to environmental issues, in order to implement the just transition to environmentally sound economic activities.

The meeting expressed their mutual desire to promote cooperation and establish partnership between Arab and pacific countries in varied fields of mutual interest, including the following: Diplomatic relations, Economy, Trade, Investment, Renewable Energy, Tourism and Transportation, Environment protection, Preservation of Maritime Zones, Biodiversity, Meteorology, Responses to natural disasters, Science and Technology, Communication, Marine Resources, Culture and Dialogue among Civilizations, Education, Scientific and Academic Exchange, Health and Humanitarian Aide, Infrastructure, Capacity Building, Human Recourses Development, Agriculture, Food Security and Sustainable Development, and people-to-people relations.

The meeting also recognized bilateral cooperation between the members of the League of Arab States and the Pacific Small Island Developing States, for example Tunisia’s offer for a Climate Action Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2023 -2024 in the fields of engineering and sustainable development. (PhD).

The meeting underscored the need to respect people’s cultural and civilization specificity. They determined to steadily go forward with expediting dialogue among civilizations and cultures, with a view to achieve peace and development for all mankind.

The meeting underlined the increasing catastrophic and severe challenges posed by climate change at all levels and stressed the importance of working together to effectively address it with a sense of urgency. They welcomed the efforts of UN in this regard, and the outcomes of Sharm -Sel- Sheikh summit COP27 and also welcomed the convening of UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and pledged to contribute towards its successful outcomes, including the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Facility. They also discussed joint coordination to ensure the flow of financial support and technology transfer to developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

The meeting agreed to support the initiatives aiming at achieving green development, including the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for green Middle East.

The meeting expressed their appreciation for the efforts of their states to achieve sustainable development, reduction of poverty, leave no one behind and took note of the efforts in this regard under the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting related to the Sustainable Development Goals Summit in September 2023 and the Summit of the Future in September 2024.

The meeting welcomed the convening of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, held from 5-9 March 2023, in Doha, Qatar, and welcomed the outcomes of the Conference, including the Declaration, and stressed the importance of the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries that addresses the needs of the Least Developed Countries, including countries from the Pacific Small Island Developing States.

The meeting expressed support for the candidacy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and exerting all needed efforts with other friendly countries to provide support for this candidacy.

The meeting emphasized the need for mutual support between Arab countries and Pacific Small Island Developing States regarding the issues raised at the United Nations and other international organizations.

They agreed to take steps towards signing Memorandum of Understanding between both sides to deepen cooperation relations between both parties, and holding regular meetings between Secretary General and Ministers of Pacific Small Island Developing States on the margins of United Nations General Assembly meetings.

They underlined the importance of holding bilateral meetings between Ministers of both sides, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and elsewhere when appropriate.

The meeting emphasized their interest to establish cooperation forum between Arab countries and Pacific Small Island Developing States in the near future, based on the commitment of both sides to reinforce cooperation relations between them.

The meeting undertook the importance of raising the level of coordination and consultation between both sides, especially in New York and other international capitals that host regional headquarters of United Nations, in various topics of mutual concern, and encouraging periodic meetings on the ambassador’s level in these capitals.

The meeting agreed to work on increasing the level of diplomatic representation between both sides, and encouraging the exchange of diplomatic offices in Arab countries and Pacific Small Island Developing States, in order to activate cooperation in economic, social and other fields; and increasing cooperation relations between both sides towards wider prospects.

The meeting agreed to convene the 3rd Arab-Pacific Small Island Developing States Ministerial Meeting at a venue and time to be decided.

The meeting expressed their deepest gratitude to King Salman bin Abdelaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and to the government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the wonderful hospitality and reception, and to the Saudi ministry of foreign affairs for the impeccable organization of this meeting. They also commended the role of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the Pacific side coordinating state, which contributed to the success of this important meeting.