Saudi Arabia at Geneva: Riyadh Stands Firm for Sudan’s Institutional Integrity

Sponsored by the UN and Switzerland, the Sixth Consultative Meeting on Enhancing Coordination of Peace Initiatives and Efforts in Sudan brought together representatives from 21 countries and five international organizations in Geneva to align diplomatic efforts, de-escalate the conflict, and advance an inclusive political process.

At the high-level meeting, Saudi Arabia reiterated its firm stance: supporting a sovereign and unified Sudan anchored by legitimate state institutions and an internationally recognized government.

The Geneva Consultative Platform

Driving the News: Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji represented the Kingdom at the Sixth Consultative Meeting on Peace Efforts in Sudan, which took place in Geneva on October 21, 2026, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The Big Picture: The Consultative Meeting, sponsored by the Swiss Confederation and the UN Office of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Sudan, convened states engaged in major peace initiatives, as well as the members of the Quad, all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, the Quintet organizations, and neighboring and regional countries.

Its main objective was coordinating diplomatic efforts to reinforce peace initiatives and respond to the urgent needs of the Sudanese people. The meeting builds on five previous rounds held in Cairo (June 2024 and January 2026), Djibouti (July 2024), Nouakchott (December 2024) and Brussels (June 2025).

Why It Matters: The conflict in Sudan, which broke out in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has entered its fourth year with no end in sight. The conflict has killed thousands of people, displaced millions, and pushed parts of the country into famine amid cholera outbreaks, triggering the world’s largest humanitarian and displacement crisis.

According to UN data, around 34 million people in Sudan are currently in need of humanitarian assistance, while over 15 million people have been displaced, and more than 8 million children have been deprived of school.

No Parallel Governance: Riyadh’s Firm Stance

State of Play: During the meeting, Al-Khuraiji reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s unequivocal support for a solution that preserves Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, emphasizing the importance of backing the Sudanese government’s efforts to facilitate a Sudanese-led dialogue.

He reiterated the Kingdom’s support for regional and international efforts to reach a political solution, such as the Quintet – a five-member international and regional diplomatic group comprising the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Arab League (AL), the European Union (EU), and the UN.

No Parallel Entities: The Saudi diplomat underlined Riyadh’s rejection of equating the Sudanese government and Transitional Sovereignty Council with militias that have committed crimes against the Sudanese people. He also warned against parallel entities and illegitimate measures that threaten Sudan’s unity, asserting that any diplomatic track must involve official state institutions and reflect the will of the Sudanese people.

Catch Up Quick: On the sidelines of the Consultative Meeting, Al-Khuraiji held a meeting with Senior Advisor to the US President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos, during which they discussed intensifying efforts to promote security, peace, and stability in Sudan. Moreover, Al-Khuraiji met with UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan. During their meeting, they discussed the latest developments in Sudan.

The UN Position

Between the Lines: In a press conference after the meeting, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan Pekka Haavisto reiterated that the conflict in Sudan can only be solved through diplomatic means, echoing Riyadh’s diplomatic stance. He added that the UN is attempting to take incremental confidence-building measures, such as prisoner exchange, to foster agreement between the two warring parties.

What He Said: “We as the international community are saying that there is no military solution to the conflict in Sudan. The solution has to be found from diplomatic talks and discussions.” – Pekka Haavisto, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan.

Saudi Arabia’s Dual Track

Zoom In: Since the outbreak of the conflict in Sudan, Riyadh has pursued a dual track: championing diplomacy to resolve the conflict while extending a humanitarian lifeline to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.

The Diplomatic Track

Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic efforts are anchored in two main pillars to build consensus and address immediate humanitarian needs:

• The Jeddah Declaration: Signed in May 2023 with the co-facilitation of the US, the Jeddah Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan establishes the primary framework for de-escalation, ensuring safe passage for civilians fleeing war zones, protecting critical civilian infrastructure, and mandating unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
• The Quad Mechanism: Comprising Saudi Arabia, the US, Egypt, and the UAE, the Quad mechanism is a framework focused on supporting peace efforts in Sudan through a civilian-led, Sudanese-Sudanese political transition.

The Humanitarian Track

Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian commitment operates in tandem with its diplomatic efforts, ensuring that immediate lifesaving aid supports broader stability on the ground.

The Kingdom has provided more than $3.2 billion in financial, economic, and emergency support for Sudan. In addition to pledging $100 million in emergency aid to Sudan, Riyadh pledged an additional $145 million during the high-level humanitarian coordination conference held in Berlin on April 15.

These humanitarian efforts are spearheaded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and its affiliated programs. These include the Sahem platform for fundraising, the Saudi Voluntary Program in Sudan (Athar), and the Sudan Madad project. According to its latest data, KSrelief has implemented 287 projects with a total cost of $196.7 million.

The Bottom Line: Through diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, Saudi Arabia reaffirms that supporting state legitimacy and alleviating human suffering are essential prerequisites for a unified and sovereign Sudan.