The past couple of years have demonstrated the inherent volatility of our age, from global pandemics to food, energy, and supply chain crises. We in Saudi Arabia are approaching these challenges with a new mindset. We believe that the global transition to renewables can happen only if we all work together to manage this transition in a manner that ensures energy security and global economic growth. We have embraced the transition to green energy and are committed to net-zero emissions by 2060, along with the goal to shift more than half of our energy industry to renewables by the end of this decade. These are commitments once deemed unimaginable for the world’s central bank of oil.
At the same time, we also face legacy threats to the international order posed by states and terrorist organizations. U.S.-Saudi efforts to ensure peace and security should focus on enhancing cooperation and reinforcing a rules-based system so that it delivers tangible benefits to all. In this way, we can confront the vision of chaos promoted by Iran with a vision of cooperation that people of region can see and feel.
I acknowledge, of course, there have been some turbulent waters in the U.S.-Saudi relationship. No doubt, the killing of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi was a gruesome atrocity without any justification. But Saudi Arabia has made clear from the highest levels our abhorrence of this crime, and justice was served in our courts with verdicts handed down against all assailants.
We have emerged from this terrible tragedy stronger, with stricter safeguards to make sure such an atrocity never happens again. We are confident our reforms will prove effective because, quite simply, what happened more than three years ago in Istanbul is not who we are. What occurred is not what we do. And it cannot define the U.S.-Saudi relationship going forward.
This relationship between our two countries has stood the test of time. History has shown us that the United States and Saudi Arabia have emerged from every challenge stronger together, and the future should be no different. When we are united, we are a formidable force for good.