Saudi Arabia Strengthens Global Security Ties With INTERPOL in Lyon Visit
LYON, France – Saudi Arabia is stepping into a more prominent global security role. This week, Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saud Bin Naif Bin Abdulaziz visited INTERPOL’s headquarters in Lyon, where he met with the organisation’s top leadership to reinforce cooperation and discuss shared efforts against cross-border threats.
The visit marks a key moment as Saudi Arabia prepares to host INTERPOL’s new Regional Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa, a hub that will focus on tackling organised crime, terrorism, cyber threats, and other serious offences across the region.
Prince Abdulaziz held talks with INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi and Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza. Officials on both sides described the meeting as a reaffirmation of shared priorities and mutual trust.
“The minister’s presence here signals Saudi Arabia’s serious commitment to international policing,” said President Al-Raisi. “It’s not just about funding or resources; it’s about shared responsibility.”
During his visit, Prince Abdulaziz and his team were briefed on INTERPOL’s latest strategies for dealing with online fraud, financial crimes, and digital security. Discussions also covered the progress of the I-CORE programme, a modernisation initiative that Saudi Arabia has helped fund.
Urquiza noted that the Kingdom has played a key role in pushing global policing efforts into the digital age.
“Their support isn’t just financial; it’s strategic,” he said. “Saudi Arabia is helping shape what the future of international law enforcement looks like.”
The new MENA bureau, which will be based in Riyadh, has been in development for several years. Initially proposed in 2016, the plan gained traction during INTERPOL’s 2019 General Assembly in Chile, with final approval received in 2024. The bureau will work closely with existing regional structures, including the GCC’s policing unit and the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences.
Prince Abdulaziz was accompanied by other senior leaders, including Assistant Minister Hesham Al-Faleh and Saudi Ambassador to France Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili.
Once operational, the bureau is expected to boost coordination between security services across the region and enhance data-sharing efforts. Officials say it could become one of INTERPOL’s most important regional centers— not just for the Middle East and North Africa, but for international law enforcement more broadly.
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