Saudi Arabia has praised its “steadily growing” political, economic, and people-to-people ties with the Philippines and vowed to sustain its development cooperation with the country ahead of their 56th anniversary of diplomatic relations next month.

Speaking at the Saudi Arabia National Day reception in Makati City on Tuesday night, Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Faisal Ebraheem Alghamdi underscored the more than USD5.8 million worth of humanitarian projects funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre in the Philippines.

The funding covers at least 16 humanitarian and development initiatives nationwide, targeting key sectors such as health.

“The Kingdom firmly believes that its security, stability, and prosperity are intrinsically linked to international peace and cooperation,” he said.

“This conviction has been reflected in its active contributions to regional and global organizations, and in its humanitarian and developmental initiatives that have reached all corners of the world—underscoring its noble mission of serving humanity at large,” he added.

Among Saudi Arabia’s health-related assistance this year was the sponsorship of the separation surgery for conjoined twins Kleah and Maureen Ann, the third set of Filipino twins to benefit from the Kingdom’s medical aid.

Beyond health programs, Riyadh also strengthened its educational cooperation with Manila through the continued provision of scholarships for Filipino students.

For academic year 2025–2026, the Kingdom granted 265 scholarships for Filipinos pursuing higher education in Saudi universities.

”This initiative reflects the Kingdom’s enduring commitment to strengthening cultural and educational relations with the Philippines and to opening new horizons for Filipino youth to benefit from its advanced academic system,” the envoy said.

In a separate speech, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega said the Philippine government also looks forward to seeing stronger cooperation with the Kingdom.

The Philippines formally established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on October 24, 1969. Today, the Arab state hosts over 700,000 Filipino workers and residents. (PNA)