The Guardian of the Two Holy Mosques, at the invitation of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, President Joseph R. Biden paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 15 to 16 July 2022. With King Salman after a meeting with the President. Biden and Prince Mohammed bin Salman held an official meeting, which was attended by senior officials from both sides. The two sides discussed in detail the shared priorities that contribute to cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States.
At the end of this meeting, the two sides issued a communiqué outlining the strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States in the coming decades to pursue mutual interests and pursue a unified vision for peace and security. A prosperous and stable Middle East.
Nearly eight decades ago, King Abdulaziz Al-Saud and President Franklin D. Roosevelt met at a meeting aboard the USS Quincy to discuss historical relations and cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. They stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen their strategic cooperation in the service of the interests of the governments and peoples of Saudi Arabia and the United States. The two sides also stressed the key role of this historic cooperation in promoting the stability and prosperity of the region. They stressed that cooperation between the US and Saudi has been the foundation of regional security for decades, and affirmed that the two countries share a vision of a safer, more stable and prosperous region, interconnected with the world.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of resolving international conflicts through peaceful and diplomatic means and alleviating humanitarian crises through economic and financial assistance from countries in the region. They affirmed the importance of the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. External authorities stressed the need to assist regional governments in dealing with threats from terrorist or protected proxy groups.
Both sides highlighted the historical ties between the peoples of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States. In this regard, they agreed to extend the validity of business and tourist visas to 10 years in order to facilitate interpersonal relations and economic cooperation.
The two sides then discussed cooperation and achievements in the following areas:
Energy Security and Climate Cooperation
Both sides stressed the importance of strategic economic and investment cooperation, especially in the face of the crisis in Ukraine and its consequences, and reaffirmed their commitment to a stable global energy market. The U.S. has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to balancing global oil markets for sustainable economic growth. The two sides decided to hold regular consultations on the world’s energy markets in the short and long term, as well as work as strategic partners in climate and energy transition initiatives, recognizing Saudi Arabia’s prominence in the energy future.
The U.S. side has praised the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, and endorsed Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Major Energy and Climate Economics Forum in conjunction with the Global Methane Pledge, its status as a founding member of the Net-Zero Producers Forum. , and a forecast for the Kingdom to meet fifty percent of the electricity generated from renewable energy by 2030.
Both sides welcomed the completion of the Clean Energy Development Cooperation Framework, making major investments in the clean energy transition and tackling climate change, with a special focus on renewable energy, clean hydrogen, human capacity development and nuclear cooperation. aspects of nuclear regulation, carbon capture and seizure, development of sustainable materials and other initiatives in the framework of the Circular Carbon Economy, where Saudi Arabia aims to be a world leader.
Global Infrastructure and Investment Cooperation (PGII)
Both sides stressed the need for stable and diversified supply chains for the country’s energy transition and national security, and the United States welcomed the support for Saudi Arabia’s Global Infrastructure and Investment Partnership, announced by President Biden at the G7. June 26, 2022 Summit. Through this historic partnership, the United States and Saudi Arabia aim to invest strategically in projects that support digital connectivity, supply chain sustainability, and climate and energy security targeted at low- and middle-income countries.
President Biden firmly reaffirmed his commitment to the US to facilitate Saudi Arabia’s security and territorial defense and to facilitate the Kingdom’s ability to defend its people and territory against external threats.
Both sides stressed the need for Iran to further prevent interference in the internal affairs of other countries, to protect terrorism through its armed representatives, and to make efforts to destabilize the security and stability of the region. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States stressed the importance of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Both sides stressed the importance of preserving the flow of trade from strategic international routes such as Bab al-Mandab and the Strait of Hormuz. They approved the newly created 153rd Combined Task Force, focusing on the Bab al-Mandab crossing of the Red Sea and escalating illegal smuggling into Yemen. Saudi Arabia has also welcomed the takeover of the 150th Joint Task Force, which strengthens maritime security objectives in the Gulf of Oman and the North Arabian Sea.
To improve and facilitate the exchange of information in the maritime domain, cooperation between the Saudi Royal Naval Forces and the Combined Task Force 153 will be stepped up at the regional coordination center of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. The United States has also stressed the growing collaboration between the Saudi Royal Naval Forces and the U.S. Fifth Fleet Task Force 59, which is expanding its fleet of state-of-the-art and integrated surface vessels to improve maritime security and domain awareness for regional security. .
Both sides welcomed a new Memorandum of Cooperation that will connect US and Saudi technology companies using open radio access networks to the advancement and deployment of 5G, enabling the development of 6G through similar technologies, advanced partnerships in cloud infrastructure, and related technologies. The partnership, built under the MOU, reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s leadership as a regional hub for 5G deployment and 6G future development.
The two sides stressed mutual cooperation in the field of cybersecurity and the importance of protecting the vital interests and national security of both countries. The United States and Saudi Arabia welcomed the signing of memoranda of understanding on cybersecurity cooperation and decided to share real-time information, human and technical capabilities and further strengthen the development of the cybersecurity industry.
The two sides also agreed to increase cooperation in all areas of space exploration, including human spaceflight, earth observation, commercial and regulatory development, and responsible behavior in outer space. President Biden welcomed the signing of the Artemis Accords to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and applauded the Kingdom for reaffirming its commitment to responsible, peaceful and sustainable exploration and use of outer space.
President Biden welcomed the agreements reached by Saudi Arabia to remove Multinational Forces and Observers (MFOs) from the island of Tirana, including the removal of U.S. troops there as part of the MFO mission, maintaining and following all commitments and procedures in the field. . This area of the Red Sea will be developed for tourism and economic purposes, contributing to a safer, more peaceful and prosperous region.
In an effort to comply with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s obligations under the 1944 Chicago Convention, which establishes non-discrimination among civilian aircraft used in international air navigation, the General Authority for Saudi Civil Aviation (GACA) announced its decision to open. Kingdom airspace Kingdom airspace for all airlines that meet the GACA requirements for flying. The US welcomed this announcement, which will improve global air connectivity and help consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a global hub linking Africa, Asia and Europe.
The US welcomed the vision of the Kingdom in 2030, a plan for transformative economic and social reforms and an increase in women’s economic participation and the promotion of interfaith dialogue. Saudi Arabia welcomed higher US private sector investment in the UK, as well as increased Saudi Arabian investment in the American private sector for the benefit of both countries.
The United States welcomed Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the World Expo in 2030 and other events to be held in that milestone year, the end of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform program. Saudi Arabia highlighted the importance of Qatar in the World Cup region being held at the end of this year and welcomed the hosting of the 2026 World Cup.
The two sides then addressed specific regional and global issues, including:
Both sides reaffirmed their strong support for the UN-led truce in Yemen and stressed the importance of extending the truce and making progress towards a lasting peace agreement. President Biden expressed his gratitude for the role played by King Salman and Prince Mohammed bin Salman in securing and renewing the truce. Both sides stressed the long-held goal of ending the war in Yemen and called on the international community to take a united position, calling for a return to peace talks under the auspices of the United Nations, based on three references, among others. UN Security Council Resolution 2216 (2015). Only a political agreement between the Yemeni parties can resolve the ongoing conflict and overturn a serious humanitarian crisis.
Both sides also reaffirmed their support for the Yemeni Presidency Leadership Council and thanked the Council for its commitment to the truce and steps that have improved the lives of Yemenis across the country, including facilitating fuel imports and resuming flights from Sanaa.
They also stressed the need to remove all obstacles to the movement and support of essential goods within Yemen, and the importance of the Huthis opening the main roads to Taizera, the third largest city in Yemen under siege since 2015.
Saudi Arabia and the United States encouraged all actors in the region to fully support the truce, which has led to the longest six-year peace period in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has welcomed the US support for the truce and its contribution to the political process in Yemen.
President Biden has welcomed the prominence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in strengthening relations with the Republic of Iraq and the historic agreements to be signed on 16 July 2022 on the sidelines of the Jeddah Summit for Security and Development to link electricity networks. Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to the Iraqi grid to supply Iraq and its people with new and diversified sources of electricity.
On Israeli-Palestinian issues, the two states stressed their commitment to a lasting solution, where a sovereign and neighboring Palestinian state lives together in peace and security with Israel, as the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian problem. in accordance with internationally accepted parameters of the conflict and the Arab Peace Initiative. The leaders expressed their determination to remain closely coordinated in their efforts to show commitment to a two-state solution through policies and actions. The United States and Saudi Arabia have welcomed all efforts to help achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to preserving Syria’s unity, stability and territorial integrity and expressed their support for the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Mandate for efforts to find a political solution to the conflict that is in line with the formula. This is stated in UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015), while at the same time emphasizing the need to prevent the resumption of violence, maintain the established ceasefire and provide unhindered humanitarian assistance to all Syrians in need.
Both sides reaffirmed their support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, security and stability, and supported the Lebanese Armed Forces, which protects its borders and faces threats from violent extremist groups and terrorists. They also stressed the importance of forming a Lebanese government and implementing comprehensive structural political and economic reforms to ensure that Lebanon overcomes the political and economic crisis and does not become the initiator of terrorists, drug smuggling or other threatening criminal activities. stability and security of the region.
The Lebanese government has stressed the importance of control over the entire territory of Lebanon, including compliance with UN Security Council resolutions and the Taif Agreement, and the exercise of full sovereignty will therefore be unarmed. Without the permission of the Lebanese government or any other authority other than the Lebanese government.
Both sides stressed that a rule-based order is at the heart of international security, emphasizing the importance of respect for international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty. They reaffirmed the principles set out in UN General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1 on 2 March 2022, which was adopted by all members of the GCC.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to provide critical assistance to the Ukrainian people and to ensure the smooth export of grain and wheat products to alleviate the global food crisis, which threatens to have a severe impact on several states in the Middle East and Africa.
Both sides stressed the importance of dialogue between the Sudanese parties and the revitalization of the political process. They applauded the efforts of the United Nations Mission to return to the foundations of Sudan’s political solution, and expressed satisfaction with the active role of the Sudan Quad, wishing Sudan and its people peace and prosperity.
Both sides reaffirmed their support for the Libyan people because they are participating in the UN-led political process to prepare for the presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible. They expressed their full support for the Libyan ceasefire agreement, which ended on October 23, 2020, and the call for the full exit of foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries without delay, and UN Security Council Resolution 2570 (2021).
Both sides stressed the need to support security in Afghanistan and to address the threat posed by Afghan terrorists. They also stressed the importance of continuing to support humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. They were in favor of responding to and promoting the needs of the people of Afghanistan, including the right to education and enjoy the highest attainable standard of health for women and girls and, in the case of women, the right to work.
Both sides stressed the importance of tackling terrorism and extreme violence. They expressed a constant commitment to confronting al-Qaeda and ISIS, obstructing the flow of foreign fighters, fighting violent extremist propaganda, and cutting off currents to finance terrorism.
Both sides highlighted the efforts made through the Terrorist Financing Funding Center, based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They reviewed and praised the unparalleled success of the ISIS World Coalition to Defeat, which was formed in Jeddah in 2014, and stressed the need for this coalition to continue, and to make long-term, multi-year efforts to bring back both arrested ISIS fighters. Ten thousand members of the ISIS family from northeastern Syria to their countries. They welcomed the next World Assembly of the ISIS Defeat Coalition to be held in Saudi Arabia in early 2023.
The two sides decided to expand and strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas discussed at this meeting, ahead of the annual Strategic Dialogue between Saudi Arabia and the United States to be held in the Kingdom later this year. This Jeddah Communication should be the basis for work to strengthen and improve strategic cooperation between the two countries.
