Saudi Shura Council Vice Speaker Dr. Al-Salami Addresses Global Hunger And Poverty At G20 Summit In Brazil

A delegation from the Saudi Shura Council, led by Vice Speaker Dr. Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Salami, took part in the 10th G20 Parliamentary Speakers' Summit (P20) in Brasilia. The event was organised by Brazil's National Congress with the Inter-Parliamentary Union under the theme "Parliaments for a Just World and a Sustainable Planet." Dr. Al-Salami expressed gratitude to Brazil for its hospitality and praised its efforts against hunger and poverty.

Dr. Al-Salami highlighted Saudi Arabia's membership in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty since May 2024. He announced that Riyadh will host the UN Conference on Land and Drought in December. He discussed Saudi Arabia's strategies to combat poverty and hunger both domestically and internationally, emphasising government resolutions and Shura Council legislation aimed at addressing these issues.

The Kingdom has been active in humanitarian efforts, providing approximately $133 billion in development aid from 1975 to 2024 across 171 countries. This aid supported over 7,090 projects focused on humanitarian relief and development. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) is currently involved in more than 1,700 projects worldwide targeting hunger and poverty.

In addressing inequality, Saudi Arabia ratified key international conventions such as the Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100) and the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. 111). Women's participation in the workforce rose to 37% in 2023, exceeding Vision 2030 targets. The Kingdom enforces laws ensuring equal job opportunities and wages for men and women.

Dr. Al-Salami stated that Saudi Arabia has provided significant aid to Palestinians, including $187 million for Gaza relief and $1.6 billion for general humanitarian assistance. Politically, Saudi Arabia called for an Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh, launching a global alliance for a two-state solution with partners like the EU and Norway.

The first meeting of this alliance was hosted by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, with plans for a Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit on November 11. These initiatives aim to achieve an immediate ceasefire, end Israeli occupation, provide relief to Palestinians, and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

P20 Summit Discussions

The P20 summit covered various critical topics such as parliaments' roles in combating hunger, poverty, inequality, environmental crises, sustainability challenges, and building governance structures fit for the modern era.

Dr. Al-Salami reiterated that Saudi Arabia remains committed to promoting charitable work globally through various support programs like social insurance schemes, labour market support initiatives, establishing a Social Development Bank, and encouraging charitable contributions.

With inputs from SPA