Khaled Hamoud Al-Kahtani
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Sri Lanka
A Global Commitment to the Values of Peace:
On September 21 of each year, the world celebrates the International Day of Peace, an occasion to renew the international community’s commitment to the values of coexistence and understanding among peoples, and to laying the foundations for global security and stability.
his day highlights the efforts made by countries to promote dialogue and peaceful solutions, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has always been a voice supporting peace and promoting the values of dialogue and humanitarian and political cooperation at the regional and international levels.
Historical Initiatives of the Kingdom:
Since its founding, the Kingdom has been committed to ensuring that dialogue and understanding are the best means to overcome conflicts. It launched the Arab Peace Initiative in 2002, which remains a fundamental framework for achieving a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The 1989 Taif Agreement also contributed to restoring stability to Lebanon and ending the civil war, reflecting the Kingdom’s early role in supporting peaceful solutions.
The Role of International Mediation:
At the international level, the Kingdom has played a trusted mediator role in numerous crises, such as Yemen and Sudan. It has also contributed effectively to efforts to end the Russian-Ukrainian war through humanitarian mediation and prisoner exchanges, emphasizing that peace is a strategic option that must be pursued continuously.
International Summits and Meetings:
The Kingdom’s role has not been limited to bilateral mediation, but has extended to chairing international summits and meetings to promote peace:
- The 2017 Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh, which brought together leaders of more than 50 countries with the United States to enhance cooperation to combat terrorism and promote peaceful coexistence.
- The Kingdom’s 2020 G20 Presidency, which emphasized the importance of international solidarity to confront global challenges and link health security to peace and stability.
- Hosting the 2023 Arab Summit in Jeddah, which affirmed Arab unity and support for political solutions to regional crises.
- The 2023 International Meetings on the Ukrainian Crisis in Jeddah, with the participation of more than 40 countries, reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful solutions.
- The US-Russia Peace Summit in Riyadh in February 2025, where the US Secretary of State and his Russian counterpart met for the first time since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war. They agreed to restore diplomatic missions and resume dialogue, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom’s role as a platform for communication between major powers.
- The High-Level International Conference for a Peaceful Resolution of the Palestinian Issue and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. The conference was held in New York on July 28-29, 2025, under the co-chairmanship of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France. This conference resulted in a vote in the United Nations General Assembly on September 12, 2025, with 142 countries approving this declaration.
The Kingdom’s Efforts to Promote Peace and Stability:
The Kingdom also affirmed its commitment to promoting global peace and stability through its ongoing efforts to combat extremism and terrorism and promote dialogue and understanding among peoples. This is achieved through initiatives such as the Etidal Center and its leadership of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, which contribute to providing a peaceful and stable environment at the international level.
The Kingdom’s efforts in various fields, along with its leadership of international summits and forums, confirm that peace is not a temporary option, but rather a constant message that forms part of its national and diplomatic identity.
Khalid bin Hamoud Alkahtani,
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Sri Lanka
