HRH Prince Turki AlFaisal, the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, gave a keynote speech titled "The Mediterranean in a Changing World" at the Med-Or Foundation Conference in Palermo on September 18, 2025. In his remarks, he highlighted the world's current unstable transition period, marked by the decline of the previous international order and the rise of a new one. He also pointed out the increasing conflicts and the diminishing regard for international law and institutions.

AlFaisal commenced his speech with gratitude to Mr. Marco Minniti and the Med-Or Foundation for their kind invitation. He then delved into an analysis of the present era, which he labeled as the "time of monsters," using a quote from the Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci after the First World War: "Now is the time of monsters."

AlFaisal observed that occurrences such as the "war of extermination in Gaza, the unlawful Russian aggression in Ukraine, recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran, and the unjustified assault on Qatar" signify unmistakable indicators of the disintegration of the world order. He further noted that the strategies employed by the US President Donald Trump, with his use of tariffs and a unilateral governing style, served as additional evidence of the deterioration of the Western liberal order that had been dominant for the past eighty years.

AlFaisal emphasized that the United States' attempts to maintain its influence on the global stage, especially at a time when the era of unilateral dominance has come to an end, are compelling other significant powers to recalibrate and intensify international divisions, thereby heightening the risk of additional conflicts and wars. He referenced a picture taken at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit depicting the leaders of China, Russia, and India as a distinct signal that acting unilaterally is now obsolete.

AlFaisal highlighted the concerns raised by insightful American figures, such as former Ambassador Charles W. Freeman Jr., who characterized the present circumstances as the demise of the old world order and the commencement of new conflicts.

AlFaisal discussed the Mediterranean region, noting that countries within it, spanning from the European North to the Arab South and East, had significantly prospered under the previous world order. He expressed a hope that these nations would not be disadvantaged in the emerging new order. Highlighting the critical nature of the current transitional phase, he emphasized the urgent need for cooperation among Mediterranean countries, not just on a bilateral level, but also through wider collaboration aimed at addressing shared regional and global challenges effectively.

AlFaisal stressed that such collaboration could play a crucial role in promoting stability in the Middle East, achieving a just resolution to the Palestinian conflict, reducing "monsters in places like Tel Aviv," and providing a source of sound counsel during challenging transitions. This effort would support the development of a multipolar order that aims to prevent the pitfalls of a ramshackle order and works towards global peace and prosperity.

In addition, Al-Faisal touched upon the circumstances in the Eastern Mediterranean, which have been marked by recurring conflicts and calamities over the past eighty years, alongside unresolved UN resolutions. He pointed out the "hypocrisy" exhibited by major powers in their approach to Middle Eastern matters, highlighting that numerous European nations are not exempt from this behavior.

AlFaisal accentuated that the Palestinian issue would continue to pose the most significant threat to regional security and peace. He cautioned that without a fair resolution granting Palestinians their right to self-determination, the region remains susceptible to various adverse outcomes. He stated that the lack of justice lies at the core of the repeated conflicts, such as the persistent Gaza war and its dire consequences. He highlighted the Security Council's ineffectiveness in preventing massacres, attributing this failure to the major powers' misuse of the veto power.

Furthermore, AlFaisal observed that the Gulf Cooperation Council States are currently well-equipped to play a positive role in guiding the region towards peace and security, partnering with similarly inclined countries to serve as a beacon of prudence in a tumultuous global environment. He cautioned that the foremost danger to the future of the region and the Mediterranean area continues to be the Israeli challenge.

AlFaisal clarified that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is collaborating with France to lay the groundwork for a two-state resolution by acknowledging the Palestinian state as a crucial initial measure in attaining the sought-after peace. He urged Italy to participate in this commendable initiative, stressing that Mrs. Giorgia Meloni's denunciation of the Russian conflict in Ukraine should also encompass a condemnation of the ongoing Israeli hostilities and the extended occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. 

In wrapping up his speech, AlFaisal expressed gratitude to the organizers and participants, underscoring that establishing a fair global order necessitates tackling the crucial matters of peace and prosperity in the world's most vital regions.