Saudi Arabia takes over G20 presidency from Japan

Saudi Arabia became first Arab nation Sunday to take over G20 presidency as it seeks to bounce back onto world st following global uproar over its human rights record. oil-rich kingdom has promoted a liberalisation drive, including granting greater rights to women, but faced strong criticism over a crackdown on dissent and murder last year of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

G20 presidency, which Saudi Arabia takes over from Japan, will see it host world leers for a global summit in its capital next vember 21-22.

" kingdom of Saudi Arabia assumes G20 Presidency today, leing up to summit in Riyh" in 2020, official Saudi Press ncy said.

" Saudi G20 presidency is committed to continuing work from Osaka and promoting multilateral consensus." Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, kingdom's de facto ruler, hailed it as a "unique opportunity" to shape international consensus, SPA ded.

Saudi Arabia will host more than 100 events and conferences in run-up to summit, including ministerial meetings, ncy said.

"When Saudi Arabia assumes G20 presidency, it will become first (Arab) nation to le this intergovernmental body," Dennis Swer, president of think-tank Global Solutions Initiative, said in a statement.

"This presidency... will be challenged by a central parox: global risks like climate change, demographic developments, such as low birth rates, rising life expectancy and aging societies... but rising populism and nationalism are preventing progress at multilateral level."

Rights groups have urged G20 member states to exert pressure on kingdom over its intensifying crackdown on dissent, which has seen several women activists, journalists and political dissidents jailed.

Campaigners reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia h detained at least nine acemics, writers and activists, latest in a series of crackdowns on intellectuals over past two years.

Activists say that some were subsequently released, but detention of liberals -- in midst of much-hyped liberalisation drive -- underscores what observers call increasing repression and authoritarianism.

"Saudi Arabia steps up to G20 presidency amid a new wave of arbitrary arrests of peaceful critics, with many human rights defenders still languishing behind bars, and just over a year since horrifying killing of Jamal Khashoggi," Heba Morayef, Amnesty International's director for Middle East and rth Africa, said in a statement.

"World leers in G20 must pressure Prince Mohammed to ensure enjoyment of all human rights including freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.