NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia has underscored the importance of strengthening international cooperation and intensifying joint efforts to address growing humanitarian challenges at the United Nations. The statement was made during the participation of Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil, in the 2026 Humanitarian Affairs Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), where he reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at alleviating human suffering and promoting stability and sustainable development. Ambassador Alwasil noted that Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among humanitarian aid donors in 2025, reflecting its continued leadership in supporting international humanitarian efforts and providing assistance to those in need worldwide. He stressed that bridging the gap between humanitarian action and development is a priority for supporting the recovery of crisis-affected communities and strengthening their resilience and stability. He added that the widening global funding gap calls for enhanced, sustainable, and flexible humanitarian financing, a broader donor base, and stronger partnerships with the private and non-profit sectors to ensure a steady flow of funding. The Kingdom’s Permanent Representative to the UN also reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s continued support for international efforts to alleviate humanitarian suffering and strengthen communities’ capacity to recover and withstand crises.