By: Sobha Beghoura
Saudi Arabia and France have jointly chaired a high-level meeting for the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian conflict and the implementation of the two-state solution.
The High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which kicked off on July 28, 2025, brought together top diplomats and senior officials from dozens of countries in New York.
Critical Juncture
The conference was seen as a unique opportunity to transform peace calls into an action plan to implement the two-state solution.
It was also considered a critical juncture and a turning point toward halting Israel’s war on Gaza, ending Israeli occupation of Palestine, and activating the two-state solution as the only viable path to peace in the Middle East.
The Path to Peace
In his opening speech, the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, called for an immediate end to the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stressing that the Arab Peace Initiative, presented by Saudi Arabia and adopted by the Arab League in Beirut in 2002, represents a comprehensive foundation for any just and inclusive solution.
Furthermore, Prince Faisal bin Farhan welcomed the announcement made by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, regarding Paris’ intention to formally recognize the State of Palestine.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the US, Princess Reema Bandar Al Saud, emphasized that the two-state solution is “the only viable path to lasting peace, one that ensures dignity and self-determination for Palestinians while establishing a foundation of security and stability for Israel and the region.”
Turning Dream into Reality
While the conference witnessed a broad international recognition and support for the two-state solution initiative, it unveiled an approach toward focusing on practical measures to support a political settlement.
In the light of this, Saudi Arabia is accelerating its efforts to secure international recognition of Palestine and mobilize further global support to turn the Palestinian dream of an independent, recognized state into a reality.
Unwavering Support
Saudi Arabia’s sponsorship of the conference is a tangible proof that the current efforts are a continuation of the Kingdom’s prioritization of the Palestinian cause in its foreign policy. This dates back to the reign of King Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The Kingdom intensified its diplomatic efforts by hosting an international summit in New York in September 2024, with the participation of more than 100 countries.
During that summit, Saudi Arabia introduced the two-state solution initiative. Shortly after, the Kingdom hosted the first meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in October 2024 to support the initiative.
