New York, US – H E Sayyid Badr Hamad al Busaidi, Oman’s Foreign Minister, attended the Arab Ministerial Consultative Meeting on Monday, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The meeting focused on regional developments and shared challenges, highlighting the need for unified Arab cooperation to tackle ongoing crises, especially concerning the Palestinian issue.

The ministers reaffirmed their steadfast support for the Palestinian people’s rights, stressing the importance of achieving a just solution. They called for the creation of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The ministers urged the international community to step up efforts to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza and end the Israeli aggression.

On the sidelines of the UN session, H E Sayyid Badr held several bilateral meetings. One of these was with Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Ivan Gil Pinto. During their discussions, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish political consultations, aiming to strengthen coordination on both regional and international issues.

They also signed an agreement on mutual visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports.

The two ministers explored ways to boost economic and trade relations between Oman and Venezuela, emphasising the importance of new partnerships in promising sectors. They also exchanged views on pressing regional and international issues.

In a separate meeting, Oman and Hungary signed an executive programme for cooperation in higher education. This agreement was formalised between Sayyid Badr and Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.

Additionally, Sayyid Badr met with Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister, Ivan Kondov, where the two countries signed an MoU for political consultations and an agreement on mutual visa exemptions for diplomatic, special, and service passports. Both ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties and addressed shared concerns over regional and international matters.

In a meeting with Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Sayyid Badr reviewed the latest situation in Yemen. They discussed ongoing international and regional efforts to restore peace and stability in the country.

Both sides agreed on the importance of supporting initiatives that could lead to a comprehensive political solution for Yemen’s future.

Sayyid Badr also held talks with Dr Badr Abdel Aati, Egypt’s Foreign Minister. The two diplomats praised the strong ties between Oman and Egypt, expressing their commitment to further expanding cooperation across various sectors.