President Biden will be conducting an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on July 15-16, a statement from the White House and separately from Saudi Arabia’s royal court confirmed, capping weeks of behind-the-scenes work to arrange for the visit.
The trip to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will follow a visit to Israel, the White House confirmed. Jeddah is the current chair of the GCC and the venue for a gathering of nine leaders from across the region. The White House statement noted that the visit is “at the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud,” and that President Biden “appreciates King Salman’s leadership and his invitation. He looks forward to this important visit to Saudi Arabia, which has been a strategic partner of the United States for nearly eight decades.”
While in Saudi Arabia, the President will discuss a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues, the White House said. “These include support to the UN-mediated truce in Yemen, which has led to the most peaceful period there since war began seven years ago. He will also discuss means for expanding regional economic and security cooperation, including new and promising infrastructure and climate initiatives, as well as deterring threats from Iran, advancing human rights, and ensuring global energy and food security. The President looks forward to outlining his affirmative vision for U.S. engagement in the region over the coming months and years.”
A statement from Saudi Arabia notes that the President will also meet directly with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman after a meeting with King Salman.
“The first day of the visit will include a meeting between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and President Biden. Following that, President Biden will meet with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The Crown Prince and President Biden will hold official talks that will focus on various areas of bilateral cooperation and joint efforts to address regional and global challenges, exploring cooperation on emerging technologies, economic investment, space, renewable energy, cybersecurity, climate and environmental initiatives, food and energy security, and expanding trade and commercial ties to enable both countries to confront mutual challenges and seize the opportunities of the 21st century.”
Saudi Arabia said the Kingdom “looks forward to welcoming President Biden and defining the next chapters of our partnership. At a time of global challenges related to the global economy, health, climate and international conflict, the partnership between our two countries is as critical as ever to the promotion of peace, prosperity and stability around the world.”
