NEW YORK: Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdallah Al-Mouallimi, participated in a video conference in which Arab efforts to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic were discussed. Other issues of common concern to the nations represented at the meeting, especially the Palestinian cause and the current political challenges facing Arab countries in the international arena, were touched on. Al-Mouallami briefed the group on the announcement of the Arab coalition for a two-week comprehensive ceasefire in Yemen as of Thursday. The announcement came in response to the call of the UN secretary-general and his special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths. Al-Mouallami also briefed the group on the Kingdom’s efforts to support Yemen for the year 2020, including its contribution of $500 million to support the humanitarian response plan and its $25 million allotted to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. Later on Thursday, Griffiths praised the Arab coalition’s ceasefire announcement in a tweet and thanked Saudi Arabia for “putting forward this positive initiative.” He added that the initiative demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to “de-escalating the conflict” in Yemen and “aligning its efforts with those of the UN.”