Antony J. Blinken

The US continues to reiterate the importance of the Middle East to its long-term security and economic interests and is committed to deepening its partnerships in the region, especially with Saudi Arabia.

When President Biden traveled to Jeddah last summer, he affirmed the importance of the Middle East to the long-term security and economic interests of the US. And he made clear that we are committed to continuing and deepening our partnerships in the region. Together, we can drive real progress for all our people, not only to address the challenges or crises of the moment, but to chart an affirmative vision for our shared future.

Over the last few days, we have advanced that progress on several fronts, working with our Saudi partners, working with the Gulf Cooperation Council, working today with the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The US very much appreciates the leadership of Saudi Arabia not only in hosting this meeting, but for its contributions—constant contributions and crucial contributions—day-in, day-out to our mission. While our coalition has taken back the territory that ISIS once controlled and inflicted severe losses on its leadership, ISIS nonetheless remains an active threat.

The US and Saudi Arabia, together with the GCC, are also focused on Iran’s destabilizing influence in the region, including its support for terrorism and violent militia groups, the seizure of tankers transiting international waters, and nuclear escalation. The United States continues to believe that diplomacy, backed by economic pressure, by deterrence, and by strong defense cooperation, is the best way to avoid counter these dangerous actions. We support efforts by Saudi Arabia to de-escalate tension and stabilize relations.

I also discussed with GCC partners increasing our joint efforts to combat illicit synthetic drugs like Captagon, which is having a devastating impact on young people throughout this region, just as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are doing the same in the US. This partnership will be an important part of our diplomacy to strengthen global cooperation on the growing challenge posed by illicit synthetic drugs.

The US partnership with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf extends far beyond addressing challenges and crises in the region. It is critical for expanding opportunity and driving progress for our people and for people around the world.

Through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, the US and Saudi Arabia are working together to deliver quality, sustainable infrastructure to benefit people in low and middle-income countries.

We are expanding digital connectivity, including by using new mobile telecommunications technology like open, cloud-based radio access networks that are both secure and affordable.

We’re combating the climate crisis and accelerating the region’s clean energy transition through our bilateral Partnership Framework for Advancing Clean Energy that we signed last summer and that can unlock new solar, green hydrogen, and other renewable energy investments.

A key part of our strategy to advance a more prosperous, stable, and secure region is regional integration and de-escalation. The Gulf is more connected then ever—both as a region and with countries in the broader Middle East, including Israel. The US will continue to play an integral role in deepening and expanding normalization.

As President Biden said in Jeddah, universal rights and freedoms—and the protections they bring—are a core priority for the US. And the US-Saudi partnership can be deepened by progress on human rights. That’s why we strongly welcome and support historic steps to increase women’s participation in public life in the workforce, to expand interfaith tolerance, among other reforms in the country’s ambitious modernization agenda. And that’s why we’ll continue to keep human rights firmly fixed on our bilateral agenda, a point I made clear in our meetings this week.

Recently, US and Saudi astronauts returned to Earth after spending 10 days together on a mission to the International Space Station. That mission included Rayyanah Barnawi, the first female Arab astronaut to ever go to space. In her first message from space, Rayyanah predicted that “the future is very bright.” To that, I say: let’s make it so, together.