Top Arab and European diplomats are set to convene in Riyadh this weekend for an economic summit and discussions on Gaza, coinciding with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s participation in a special session on “Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development.”
Scheduled for April 28 and 29, the World Economic Forum (WEF) session in Riyadh will see Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attending upon the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and WEF Founder Klaus Schwab, as confirmed by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch.
The WEF participation offers Pakistan a platform to underscore its global priorities, including health architecture, inclusive growth, regional collaboration, and energy balance. It also provides an opportunity for engagement with world leaders and international organizations.
Additionally, a session in Riyadh on Monday will focus on Gaza, featuring Palestinian PM Mohammed Mustafa, Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouly, and Sigrid Kaag, the UN aid coordinator for Gaza. Foreign ministers from Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt, as well as diplomats from France and Germany, are expected to attend.
Following the summit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will proceed to Gambia for the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference on May 4 and 5, with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attending the Council of Foreign Ministers’ preparatory meeting on May 2-3.
During these engagements, Pakistan will advocate for Gaza’s self-determination and express concerns over the ongoing genocide. The prime minister will also address issues like Islamophobia, terrorism, and other challenges facing the Muslim world while holding bilateral discussions with leaders from Muslim-majority nations.
