Joint Statement at Conclusion of Prime Minister of Malaysia’s Visit to the Kingdom Issued

A joint statement was issued today at the conclusion of the visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as follows:

“Based on the distinguished relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 21/10/2023.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, where they held a session of official talks. During the meeting, they reviewed the historical relations between the two brotherly countries and ways to develop them in all fields.

At the outset of the meeting, the Malaysian side appreciated the efforts exerted by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in serving the Two Holy Mosques and their pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors, praising the high level of coordination between the two countries to achieve the comfort of pilgrims and visitors from Malaysia.

HRH the Crown Prince appreciated the support of the Government of Malaysia for Riyadh’s bids to host the World Expo 2030, and the 2034 World Cup.

The two sides underscored the importance of activating the Saudi-Malaysian Coordination Council and its subcommittees in order to achieve the aspirations of the leaderships of the two countries and contribute to strengthening and developing partnership and cooperation between the two countries in fields of common interest.

In the economic, commercial and investment fields, the two sides discussed the major challenges of the global economy and the roles of both countries in addressing these challenges. They also highlighted the broad common interests in many important economic aspects in both countries.

They welcomed the 160% increase in bilateral trade volume in 2022 compared to 2021 and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration to enhance and diversify trade between them.

They also underlined the significance of overcoming any challenges hindering the development of trade relations and intensifying communication between the private sectors in both countries to explore promising business and investment opportunities and transform them into tangible partnerships.

Both sides expressed commitment to enhance investments between their two countries with the Saudi side inviting Malaysian companies to take advantage of the investment opportunities presented by the projects of the Saudi Vision 2030, and benefit from the expertise and capabilities of outstanding Malaysian companies.

Both sides expressed their aspiration to enhance cooperation in the field of Islamic finance by offering specialized Islamic financial products and services, especially in the area of Islamic Murabaha. The Saudi side appreciated Malaysia’s support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 17th session of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) for the year 2027.

In the field of energy, the two sides praised their close cooperation and the successful efforts of the countries in the OPEC+ Group to enhance stability in global petroleum markets.

They also underscored the importance of continuing this collaboration and the necessity of all participating countries in the OPEC+ agreement to adhere to measures that serve the interests of producers and consumers while supporting global economic growth.

The two sides praised the significance of their trade partnership and strengthening the existing cooperation between the two countries in the supply of crude oil and its derivatives.

In this regard, the Saudi side reaffirmed that the Kingdom will continue to be Malaysia’s largest and most reliable partner for crude oil supplies. Both sides underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in the fields of petrochemicals and agricultural fertilizers, collaborating to explore investment opportunities in refining and petrochemicals, and working together on innovative uses of hydrocarbon materials.

The Malaysian side welcomed the launch of the Kingdom’s Saudi and Middle East Green initiatives and expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s efforts in the field of climate change by implementing the circular carbon economy approach, which was initiated by the Kingdom and endorsed by the G20 leaders.

Additionally, they stressed the importance of adhering to the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. They also highlighted the necessity of developing and implementing climate agreements with a focus on emissions.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed Malaysia’s initiative to launch the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), considering it a positive step towards accelerating the transition to cleaner energy. The two countries agreed to strengthen their collaboration in the following domains:

1. Renewable energy and its technologies and developing their projects from various resources, including solar, wind and geothermal energy, and studying investment opportunities in these areas, developing artificial intelligence projects in the energy sector, fostering the incubating environment, and ensuring the sustainability of their supply chains.

2. Environment, water, agriculture and food security.

3. Communications, technology, digital economy, innovation and space.

4. Transportation and logistics.

5. Tourism, sustainable tourism, promoting tourism exchanges, and various cultural fields.

6. Higher education, research, innovation and media.

7. Health and cooperation in supporting global initiatives to combat pandemics, risks and health challenges.

The two sides also welcomed the expansion of private-sector investment partnerships in the agricultural and food industries. Furthermore, they agreed to enhance collaboration in defense and security fields and coordinate on issues of mutual concern, such as combating crimes in all their forms, in a way that contributes to achieving security and stability in both countries.

On international affairs, the two sides renewed their determination to continue coordination and intensify efforts aimed at maintaining international peace and security. The two sides exchanged views on issues of concern to the two countries on the regional and international arenas, and affirmed their determination to enhance cooperation and joint coordination towards them, and to continue their support for everything that would establish peace and stability in the region and the world. The two sides also renewed their condemnation and denunciation of deliberate desecration of the Holy Quran, stressing the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of combating extremism, extremism, hate speech and terrorism, spreading a culture of moderation, and preventing insults to religions and sanctities.

On the Yemeni issue, the two sides stressed the importance of full support for the UN and regional efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis. The Malaysian side praised the Kingdom’s efforts and many initiatives aimed at encouraging dialogue among the Yemeni parties, and its role in providing and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, and providing economic support and development projects to Yemen, the latest of which was the Kingdom’s announcement on 12/1/1445H. to provide new economic support to the Republic of Yemen worth $1.2 billion for the budget deficit of the Yemeni government. The two sides stressed the importance of the Houthis engaging positively with international and UN efforts aimed at ending the Yemeni crisis and dealing seriously with peace initiatives and efforts.

The Malaysian side welcomed the agreement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran to resume diplomatic relations between them, expressing its hope that this step will contribute to enhancing security and stability in the region, in a way that preserves the sovereignty of countries and non-interference in their internal affairs. The two sides stressed the importance of Iran’s commitment to the peacefulness of its nuclear program, full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the importance of any agreement contributing to establishing comprehensive negotiations in which the countries of the region participate, and addressing the sources of the threat to regional and international security and peace.

Regarding the Palestinian cause, the two sides stressed the need to stop all forms of military escalation in the Palestinian territories, and the need to protect civilians, and stressed the importance of the role that the international community must play in pressuring the Israeli side to stop its plans to invade Gaza Strip and warn of the forced displacement of Palestinians and the dire consequences that will ensue. The two sides also called on the international community to work to oblige Israel to respect international law and international humanitarian law and the necessity of allowing international humanitarian organizations to be empowered to carry out their role in providing humanitarian and relief aid to the Palestinian people. The two sides stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and finding a real horizon for returning to serious and effective negotiations to achieve peace in accordance with the principle of the two-state solution, the relevant international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, in a way that guarantees the Palestinian people their right to establish their independent state on the 1967 borders, its capital is East Jerusalem.

In the Afghan context, both sides emphasized the continued coordination among members of the international community to achieve security and stability in Afghanistan. They emphasized the importance of not allowing Afghanistan to be used as a platform or safe haven for terrorist and extremist groups. Additionally, both sides highlighted the significance of supporting international efforts to mitigate the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and to deliver humanitarian aid to the Afghan people.

Regarding the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, both sides stressed the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means and making every possible effort to de-escalate the situation, contributing to the restoration of security and stability and reducing the negative consequences of this crisis.

At the conclusion of the visit, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, expressed his gratitude to and appreciation of HRH the Crown, for the warm reception and generous hospitality extended to him and the accompanying delegation.

HRH the Crown, also thanked Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the visit, wishing the Malaysian people further progress and prosperity.