(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir participated in the Ambassador’s Roundtable at the 18th Annual National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) Conference. The two-day conference is entitled, “Fresh Visions, Old Realities, New Possibilities: The Impact of Leadership Change on Arab-U.S. Relations.”
The roundtable featured Ambassador Al-Jubeir, U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Brigadier General James B. Smith, and former U.S. Ambassadors to the Kingdom Walter L. Cutler, Chas Freeman, Jr., James C. Oberwetter, and Robert Jordan.
Ambassador Al-Jubeir and Ambassador Smith emphasized the strength and importance of the Saudi-U.S. relationship, including in areas of counterterrorism, regional security and trade and investment.
“Our countries face a number of mutual challenges in the region and they work together closely to overcome them,” Ambassador Al-Jubeir said, adding “we speak to each other clearly, we consult intensely and we try to engage others in order resolve problems. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a history of seeking stability and security and peace in our region and in our world,” said Ambassador Al-Jubeir.
Ambassador Al-Jubeir noted the Arab Peace Initiative, the interfaith dialogue and the launching of the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology, a major research university, as examples of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz’s commitment to peace, dialogue, understanding, and knowledge.
Speaking on the multi-faceted nature of the Saudi-U.S. relationship Ambassador Smith said, “It’s an era of hope and opportunity…for most every challenge facing this nation [United States] there is a crossroad in Riyadh [Saudi Arabia] that we have to use. And think of the words that our President [Obama] used which were listen, respect, trust.”
On the evening of the first day of the conference Ambassador Al-Jubeir hosted a reception for all participants and guests at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC.
