Saudi Arabia Hosts New INTERPOL Regional Bureau for MENA Region
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
Saudi Arabia has officially taken a major step in bolstering regional security with the signing of the ‘Host Country Agreement’ for the creation of a new INTERPOL Regional Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This historic agreement was signed at a ceremony attended by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of the Interior, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saud Bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza.
The establishment of the Regional Bureau is aimed at enhancing INTERPOL’s efforts to support MENA countries in combating transnational crime, terrorism, and other security threats. It will act as a central hub for the Organization’s operations in the region and foster closer collaboration among member countries. This move strengthens INTERPOL’s regional engagement, ensuring a coordinated approach to address complex security challenges.
Prince Abdulaziz emphasized the importance of this new step in the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to contribute to global and regional security. The Regional Bureau will work alongside key regional and national bodies such as the Arab Interior Ministers' Council, the Gulf Cooperation Council Police (GCCPOL), and the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences to enhance cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordination in tackling cross-border threats.
The idea for a Regional Bureau was initially proposed during the 2016 INTERPOL Chiefs of Police Meeting for the MENA region. The proposal gained momentum with formal endorsement from INTERPOL’s General Assembly during its meeting in Santiago, Chile, in 2019. The final approval for the Host Country Agreement came from INTERPOL’s Executive Committee in May 2024.
The Host Country Agreement incorporates several essential principles to ensure the Bureau’s successful operation, including financial, administrative, security, and logistical arrangements. The next phase will involve finalizing these aspects as the Regional Bureau gears up to open its doors shortly.
The creation of the MENA Regional Bureau marks a significant milestone in global efforts to combat transnational crime and strengthen international security cooperation. With Saudi Arabia’s strategic location and commitment to regional stability, the Bureau is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing these goals within the MENA region and beyond.
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