INTERPOL Selects Riyadh as the Location for New MENA Headquarters

Saudi Arabia and INTERPOL have signed an agreement to establish a regional office for the Middle East and North Africa in the Kingdom in a major step to enhance regional security. Saudi Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz and INTERPOL President Major General Dr. Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi attended the signing ceremony, further underlining Saudi Arabia's growing role in global security affairs. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Dr. Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al-Faleh formalized the agreement with INTERPOL Secretary-General Jürgen Stock yesterday. The signing came after a meeting between Prince Abdulaziz and the head of the international police organization at the ministry, where they discussed the latter's programs and other areas of shared interest.

Regional Cooperation Strengthened

The Riyadh office will facilitate intelligence-sharing across 22 MENA countries, focusing on combating organized crime, terrorism, and cyber threats. Wednesday's signing was marked by Dr. Hisham Al-Faleh and INTERPOL's Jürgen Stock, who both stressed the importance of faster crisis responses.

This initiative supports Saudi Vision 2030’s aim to enhance technology-driven security and foster international collaborations. Experts anticipate Riyadh will become a hub for policing innovation, attracting global expertise and investments.

Riyadh's selection highlights Saudi Arabia's key role in addressing extremism, cybercrime, and trafficking. With its strategic location bordering eight countries, the Kingdom is poised to strengthen its regional security influence.

Commitment to Strengthening Global Security Frameworks

In 2023, Saudi Arabia contributed EUR 1 million to INTERPOL's I-CORE program that aids in biometric and police messaging systems advancement. Col. Abdulmalik Al-Sogiah signed the accord in Lyon while strengthening cooperation with Saudi Arabia to combat crime.

The Riyadh office will have 150 specialists in early 2025. At the announcement, INTERPOL applauded Saudi Arabia for its solid cyber security structure as well as diplomatic efforts taken on the front lines.

Revolutionizing Regional Security Landscape

Analysts expect MENA to have better data-sharing systems and AI-based policing in the future. Prince Abdulaziz and Al-Raisi also considered how forensic technologies could be expanded to prevent financial crimes and human trafficking.

The opening of INTERPOL's MENA regional office in Riyadh gives testimony to confidence in the involvement of Saudi Arabia in promising efforts at fostering and coordinating both international and regional security endeavors. In this way, the move aims to strengthen global security cooperation and deal more effectively with transnational crime. The continued support from Saudi Arabia for INTERPOL initiatives focuses on embracing digital transformation and applying artificial intelligence within law enforcement efforts.

Hosting INTERPOL's MENA regional office is a landmark moment in international police cooperation. Strategically located, committed to fighting crime, and with strong support for INTERPOL, Saudi Arabia plays a critical role in regional and global security. This development will enhance responses to transnational crime and promote greater stability across the Middle East and North Africa.