The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, chaired by the Acting Governor of the Saudi General Authority of Foreign Trade, Mr. Mohammed Al Abduljabbar, participated in the G20 Trade and Investment Working Group Ministerial Meeting on behalf of H.E. Dr. Majed Al-Kassabi, Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GAFT. The meeting was held from 9 to 10 October 2025 in the Republic of South Africa.

Mr. Al Abduljabbar emphasized that Saudi Arabia is committed to enhancing global trade to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth, while addressing key global challenges such as food security, the digital economy, and geopolitical issues affecting international trade. He reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for international efforts aimed at reforming the World Trade Organization.

He also highlighted the G20’s capacity to play a positive and effective role in advancing WTO reform. During Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the G20 in 2020, the Kingdom worked to foster dialogue and generate the political momentum needed to support WTO reforms through the Riyadh Initiative for the Future of the WTO. Moreover, the G20’s collective efforts resulted in a joint set of measures that helped strengthen international trade and investment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Al-Abduljabbar affirmed that the G20 continues to have significant potential to drive reforms that enhance the multilateral trading system and promote an open, fair, and inclusive global economy.

Mr. Al Abduljabbar also emphasized the importance of preserving a multilateral trading system that is transparent, fair, and equitable one that fosters economic growth and improves living standards for all, in line with global development goals.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr. Al-Abduljabbar held bilateral discussions with H.E. Mr. Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction, Land Information, Small Business, and Manufacturing of New Zealand; H.E. Mr. Li Chenggang, Vice Minister of Commerce of China and International Trade Representative; H.E. Dr. Mustafa Tuzcu, Deputy Minister of Trade of Türkiye; Mr. Mohamed El Gossaki, Assistant Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of Egypt; and Dr. Neil Beck, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for the WTO and Multilateral Affairs.

The Trade and Investment Working Group for the current year (2025) discussed several priorities related to trade and inclusive growth, including addressing common global challenges, advancing the G20 High Level Principles on Sustainable Manufacturing, and supporting the reform of the WTO.