The Kingdom and Britain affirmed the importance of strengthening the economic partnership between the two kingdoms, and their commitment to increasing the volume of bilateral trade to $37.5 billion by 2030, and increasing investment in the two kingdoms, through the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, and the United Kingdom’s industrial strategy, in the industries of tomorrow, which would drive future global competitiveness, and provide job opportunities and prosperity for the two peoples, in order to achieve sustainable growth.

This came in the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the state visit of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the Kingdom, the text of which follows:

Based on the distinguished relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, the British Prime Minister, Mr. Keir Starmer, paid an official visit to the Kingdom on 8 Jumada al-Thani 1446 AH, corresponding to 9 December 2024 AD.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Prime Minister, received British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. During their official meeting, they emphasized the importance of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council in strengthening cooperation between the two countries and expressed their anticipation for the next meeting of the Council to be held in the United Kingdom. They reviewed the significant progress made in developing and diversifying bilateral relations and agreed on an ambitious program of cooperation to promote mutual prosperity, shared security, and address global challenges.

Both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening the economic partnership between the two kingdoms and affirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade to $37.5 billion by 2030 and to increasing investment in both countries. Through Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UK’s Industrial Strategy, both nations are investing in the industries of tomorrow, which will drive future global competitiveness and provide employment and prosperity for their people, thus achieving sustainable growth. Both sides welcomed the significant progress made on the free trade agreement between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Kingdom.

Both sides praised the growth of mutual investments and noted the significant Saudi investments in the United Kingdom in 2024, including investments by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, such as Selfridges and Heathrow Airport, and the additional investment in Newcastle United Football Club, which strengthens the growing relations between North East England and Saudi Arabia. The United Kingdom is also one of the largest foreign investors in Saudi Arabia, and in this regard, they noted the announcement by the British Export Finance Authority of its plans to increase its market exposure to US$6 billion, in light of the success of the (Sharia-compliant) financing of approximately US$700 million for investment in the Qiddiya project.

Both sides commended the existing cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector, and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the areas of electricity, renewable energy, clean hydrogen and its applications, including focusing on developing policies, regulations and standards for clean hydrogen, clean hydrogen business models, and building human capacity as a key enabler for successful multilateral cooperation in the clean hydrogen sector.

Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing the reliability of global supply chains, particularly in light of Saudi Arabia’s launch of the Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative to secure supplies across various global supply chains, especially in renewable energy, hydrogen production, green metals, specialty petrochemicals, waste recycling, and electric vehicles. They welcomed the Kingdom’s launch of five special economic zones targeting strategic industries and sectors, offering British companies the opportunity to benefit from the advantages and incentives these zones provide at all levels of the supply chain and across various sectors.

Both sides affirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in clean technology, energy innovation, and sustainability, contributing to sustainable economic growth, and developing trade partnerships between the two countries. They expressed their aspiration to develop long-term strategic partnerships that serve mutual interests. They agreed to work together to establish a Clean Hydrogen Alliance between Saudi and British universities, led by King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and Newcastle University.

Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in the financial services sector, including banking, financial technology, asset management, green finance, and insurance.

Both sides agreed on the importance of further strengthening cooperation in critical minerals and mining to support responsible, diversified, and resilient supply chains. This includes the partnership between the Camborne School of Mining at the University of Exeter and the Saudi Arabian Minerals Innovation Accelerator. They also agreed to enhance cooperation in developing sustainable mining sectors and diversifying the supply of rare earth minerals used in clean technologies. The UK side confirmed its support for and intention to participate at a high level in the Saudi Arabian Future Minerals Forum, scheduled for January 2025.

Both sides emphasized the centrality of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, and noted the outcomes of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), stressing the importance of working towards an ambitious and balanced outcome at the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) in 2025. The British side welcomed the Kingdom's ambitions and leadership through its Green Saudi Arabia and Green Middle East initiatives, and its presidency of the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. It also expressed its support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's efforts in the areas of environment and climate change through the implementation of the circular carbon economy approach launched by the Kingdom and endorsed by the G20 leaders.

The British side affirmed its strong support for the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and its commitment to the opportunities it offers within the framework of the partnership between the two countries. Both sides welcomed the increasing number of visitors between the two kingdoms and expressed their hope to increase these numbers even further, especially in light of the increased air connectivity between the two countries and the facilitation of visa requirements from both sides.

Both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening cultural cooperation in various cultural sectors within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two kingdoms, including cooperative initiatives between cultural institutions and organizations in the two countries, intensifying participation in international cultural and artistic events held in the two countries, and exchanging experiences in the field of heritage infrastructure and museums, including through the launch of a new executive program to enhance the United Kingdom’s participation in the development of Al-Ula Governorate.

Both sides welcomed the agreement to launch a partnership between the Royal Commission for Al-Ula and the British Council, coinciding with the Council’s celebration of (90) years since its founding.

Both sides commended the results of the strategic cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, higher education, and training. They welcomed the strategic plans to increase the number of British schools in Saudi Arabia to ten by 2030 and to open branch campuses of British universities in the Kingdom to support Saudi Arabia's vision of building a knowledge-based economy driven by excellence in education. Both sides expressed their commitment to continuing discussions on enhancing cooperation in the areas of special educational needs and technical and vocational education and training.

Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in healthcare, including through joint initiatives to support nursing training, for mutual benefit. They noted the ongoing discussions between British universities and potential Saudi partners regarding the establishment of a nursing training college in the Kingdom. They affirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation to address global health challenges.

Both sides agreed on the importance of taking advantage of the opportunities available in both countries to increase cooperation in the areas of food safety and agricultural products.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in sports activities and programs, and commended the joint project between Saudi and British universities to support the development of future female leaders in sports. They also praised the growing partnership in the field of esports.

Both sides commended the level of bilateral cooperation in defense and security over the past decades and reaffirmed their commitment to an ambitious and forward-looking strategic defense partnership. This partnership aims to evolve into a modern one focused on industrial cooperation, capacity building, increased interoperability, and collaboration on shared threats, thereby contributing to the security and prosperity of both nations. They agreed to expand cooperation in key areas, including cyber and electromagnetic activity, advanced weaponry, ground forces, helicopters, and fighter aircraft. The two sides also agreed to strengthen security cooperation on issues of mutual interest, including combating terrorism and extremism, and enhancing cybersecurity.

Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in humanitarian and relief work, and stressed the need to continue collaborating in international forums and organizations, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the G20, to address global economic challenges. They affirmed their commitment to joining forces to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and to holding an annual Saudi-British strategic dialogue on humanitarian aid and international development. They also agreed to jointly finance projects worth $100 million, focusing on urgent humanitarian assistance and development support.

On regional and international issues, both sides stressed the need to reduce regional escalation and the importance of adhering to international standards and the United Nations Charter.

Regarding developments in Gaza, both sides stressed the need to end the conflict there and release the hostages immediately, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 2720 (2023), 2728 (2024), and 2735 (2024). They emphasized the urgent need for Israel to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, and to enable international and humanitarian organizations, including UN agencies, particularly the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), to carry out their work. The two sides discussed how their countries could work together to implement the two-state solution, achieving a lasting peace that would allow Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side within secure and recognized borders. The British side expressed its anticipation of the high-level international conference on a peaceful solution to the two-state conflict, to be co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France in June 2025.

On the Syrian issue, both sides welcomed any positive steps taken to ensure the safety of the Syrian people, end the bloodshed, and preserve Syrian state institutions and resources. They called on the international community to stand with and cooperate with the Syrian people. Both sides also called for support for Syria at this pivotal stage to help it overcome the suffering of the Syrian people, which has persisted for many years, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent people and displacing millions. The time has come for the Syrian people to enjoy a brighter future characterized by security, stability, and prosperity.

On the Lebanese issue, both sides stressed the importance of maintaining the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and reaching a political settlement in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. They agreed on the need for Lebanon to overcome its political crisis and elect a president capable of carrying out the necessary economic reforms.

Both sides affirmed their full support for the Presidential Leadership Council of the Republic of Yemen and stressed the importance of supporting international and regional efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis. They also agreed on the importance of ensuring the security and stability of the Red Sea region to achieve global economic stability.

On the Sudanese issue, both sides stressed the importance of building on the Jeddah Declaration regarding the commitment to protecting civilians in Sudan by continuing dialogue to achieve a complete ceasefire, resolve the crisis, alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people, and preserve Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and national institutions.

Both sides welcomed the continued communication between the two countries regarding the war in Ukraine, and stressed the importance of making every effort to achieve a just and lasting peace that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.

At the conclusion of the visit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation, and conveyed his best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly Saudi people. His Royal Highness also expressed his best wishes for the good health and well-being of Prime Minister Starmer and for the continued progress and advancement of the friendly British people.