Saudi Arabia takes over G20 presidency from Japan

Saudi Arabia became the first Arab nation yesterday to take over the G20 presidency as it seeks to bounce back onto the world stage following global uproar over its human rights record.

The oil-rich kingdom has promoted a liberalisation drive, including granting greater rights to women, but faced strong criticism over a crackdown on dissent and the murder last year of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The G20 presidency, which Saudi Arabia takes over from Japan, will see it host world leaders for a global summit in its capital next November 21-22. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia assumes the G20 Presidency today, leading up to the summit in Riyadh" in 2020, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

"The Saudi G20 presidency is committed to continuing the work from Osaka and promoting multilateral consensus."

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, hailed it as a "unique opportunity" to shape international consensus, SPA added.

Saudi Arabia will host more than 100 events and conferences in the run-up to the summit, including ministerial meetings, the agency said.

"When Saudi Arabia assumes the G20 presidency, it will become the first (Arab) nation to lead this intergovernmental body," Dennis Snower, president of the think-tank Global Solutions Initiative, said in a statement.

"This presidency... will be challenged by a central paradox: global risks like climate change, demographic developments, such as low birth rates, rising life expectancy and aging societies... but rising populism and nationalism are preventing progress at the multilateral level."

Rights groups have urged G20 member states to exert pressure on the kingdom over its intensifying crackdown on dissent, which has seen several women activists, journalists and political dissidents jailed.

 

Saudi Arabia takes over G20 presidency from Japan

Saudi Arabia became the first Arab nation yesterday to take over the G20 presidency as it seeks to bounce back onto the world stage following global uproar over its human rights record. The oil-rich kingdom has promoted a liberalisation drive, including granting greater rights to women, but faced strong criticism over a crackdown on dissent and the murder last year of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The G20 presidency, which Saudi Arabia takes over from Japan, will see it host world leaders for a global summit in its capital next November 21-22. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia assumes the G20 Presidency today, leading up to the summit in Riyadh in 2020, the official Saudi Press Agency said. The Saudi G20 presidency is committed to continuing the work from Osaka and promoting multilateral consensus. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms de facto ruler, hailed it as a unique opportunity to shape international consensus, SPA added. Saudi Arabia will host more than 100 events and conferences in the run-up to the summit, including ministerial meetings, the agency said. When Saudi Arabia assumes the G20 presidency, it will become the first (Arab) nation to lead this intergovernmental body, Dennis Snower, president of the think-tank Global Solutions Initiative, said in a statement. This presidency... will be challenged by a central paradox: global risks like climate change, demographic developments, such as low birth rates, rising life expectancy and aging societies... but rising populism and nationalism are preventing progress at the multilateral level. Rights groups have urged G20 member states to exert pressure on the kingdom over its intensifying crackdown on dissent, which has seen several women activists, journalists and political dissidents jailed.