Saudi Minister visits Interpol Headquarters: € 1M pledge and what is known about the regional bureau scheme

TL; Dr.

Underlining the deep role of Saudi Arabia in international policing, internal minister Prince Abdulziz bin Saud met with senior interpol officials at Leone, confirming the state’s strategic support for the organization’s mission and ongoing digital change. The journey took place amid progress on a planned Interpol Regional Bureau in Riyadh and Saudi significant contribution to global security initiatives.

Strengthening

Saudi Arabia’s internal minister, Prince Abdulziz bin Saud bin Naif Bin Abdulziz, visited the headquarters of the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in Leon, France, where he was He Major General Dr. Ahmed was obtained by Nasar al-Rasi and Secretary General Secretary Waldesi Urkiza. The yatra serves as a commitment to Saudi Arabia’s long -standing support for Interpol and its commitment to strengthen international cooperation against international crime. Prince Abdulziz insisted that the yatra was carried out on the direction of the state leadership and the continuous priority of Saudi Arabia was depicted in increasing the global security structure. In his meetings, Prince Abdulziz praised Interpol’s important role in promoting law enforcement participation on borders and supporting international peace and stability. ,

Operations Cooperation and Safety Briefing

During the visit, the Saudi delegation held a detailed discussion with the Interpol leadership on the expansion of operating cooperation between the Saudi and the organization. These dialogues included cooperative strategies to deal with the initiative of cross-border crime, training programs and capacity-making initiatives. Prince Abdulziz and his delegation were also informed on Interpol’s police capabilities to address emerging hazards such as cybercrime and financial fraud. A visit to the Interpol’s Safety Operations Center demonstrated the organization’s advanced technical and human resources, which was publicly appreciated by the minister. An important focus of briefing was Ey-core (Interpol capabilities for operational relevance) program, which aims to modernize global police cooperation through digital changes. General Secretary Urkiza highlighted Saudi Arabia’s “important leadership” and “liberal support” for the eye-core, given that the state’s contribution was helping to push the organization’s change towards a global policing network.

Saudi Arabia’s role in I-core program

Interpol’s eye-core program is a 10-year initiative designed to improve global police information flow and promote frontline operating capacity through innovation. It includes three major projects, especially “smart case messaging”, a web-based system that implements artificial intelligence to increase police communication efficiency and accuracy. Due to the cost of the program – EUR 80 million estimated in 80 million – Interpol has sought financial support from member countries. On July 10, 2023, Saudi Arabia formally gave its support formal by signing an agreement to contribute to EUR 1 million in I-core. This was followed by similar commitments from other countries like Germany and Netherlands. Saudi Arabia’s financial assistance is seen as important in helping the interpol build infrastructure for more effective information-sharing on borders, which is central for the future vision of the organization for international policing.

Regional Bureau in Riyadh: a strategic milestone

This year, in January 2025, Saudi Arabia took an important step towards hosting a new Interpol Regional Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa. The agreement of the host country was signed in Riyadh by Rajkumar Abdulziz, Interpol President Al-Rasi and General Secretary Urkiza. The bureau will serve as a regional center for interpol initiative in dealing with transnational crime and terrorism, while Arabs will increase cooperation with regional institutions such as the council of internal ministers, GCCPOL and NIF Arabs for Security Sciences. The idea for the MENA Regional Bureau was first presented in 2016 during the Interpol chief police meeting for the region. It was supported in 2019 by the Interpol Mahasabha at Santiago, Chile, and the host country agreement received final approval from the Executive Committee of Interpol in May 2024. The next stages include finalizing the operating setup of the bureau, including its financial, administrative and logical structures. Once established, it will significantly increase the footprint and effectiveness of the interpol in the region.