Saudi Ambassador to the Philippines Hisham bin Sultan Al-Qahtani on Monday night announced the successful separation of Filipino conjoined twins Akhizah and Ayeesha Yosoph, marking the deepening friendship between the two countries.
The twins’ surgery, conducted in Riyadh on June 6, 2024, was made possible through a royal decree from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Speaking during a celebration marking Saudi Arabia’s 94th National Day, Ambassador Al-Qahtani expressed his nation’s pride in the achievement.
“Our partnership has been enriched by shared interests across various fields, particularly in the humanitarian domain,” he said, noting that the surgery exemplifies the Kingdom’s humanitarian commitment as well as the strengthening of its longstanding ties with the Philippines.
Ten years ago in 2004, the Kingdom also successfully separated twins Anne and May.
Beyond humanitarian achievements, Ambassador Al-Qahtani touched on Saudi Arabia’s increasing prominence on the global stage. He announced that the Kingdom is set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034, a historic milestone for the nation.
“The World Cup will be the largest edition ever held in a single country, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s exceptional capabilities in hosting international events,” he said.
This follows Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the World Expo 2030, underscoring its ambitions to become a global hub for tourism and culture.
Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Eduardo “Ed” De Vega, who attended the event, lauded Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian contributions and expressed optimism about further strengthening bilateral ties.
“The Kingdom is the land of innovation. Our countries have enjoyed more than five decades of warm and vibrant times, marked by mutual respect, cooperation, and friendship. In the years to come, we look forward to strengthening our partnership, and we look forward to the continuation of mutual interests,” De Vega said.
On a lighter note, De Vega also shared his excitement for the World Cup, humorously stating that the Philippines could easily support Saudi Arabia in their bid for victory, given their triumph over Argentina in the 2022 tournament.
“If Saudi can beat the World Cup champions, they can certainly win,” he said.
De Vega also highlighted the contributions of over a million Filipinos working in Saudi Arabia, praising their role in strengthening the economic and cultural connections between the two nations.
“Our partnership has stood the test of time, and we look forward to further collaboration and shared success,” he said.
As Saudi Arabia continues to make strides on the global stage, the partnership between the two nations is expected to flourish in the years to come, particularly in the areas of healthcare, tourism, and cultural exchange.