Swedish Government Officials Gather in Riyadh for Annual Meeting of Regional Ambassadors
A delegation of over 30 government officials from Sweden made their way to Riyadh this week for the country’s annual meeting of regional ambassadors. Each year, representatives from Sweden come together in a selected city to discuss regional developments and exchange experiences. This year, Riyadh was chosen as the host city due to the significant events unfolding in the Kingdom.
The meeting, which commenced on March 12 and concludes on March 14, serves as a platform for discussing various topics such as politics, trade, consular matters, administration, and international cooperation. State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Jan Knutsson, emphasized the importance of regular gatherings between ambassadors and senior management to maintain an up-to-date collective understanding of the Middle East and North Africa region.
The delegation includes two state secretaries, 15 ambassadors, and 15 senior management officials from Stockholm. Notable attendees include State Secretary to the Minister of Justice Charlotte Kugelberg, Director-General for Trade Per-Arne Hjelmborn, and Director-General for Administrative Affairs Klas Molin. Ambassadors from nations such as Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Lebanon, the UAE, and Tunisia were also present.
Knutsson highlighted the growing trade relationship between Sweden and Saudi Arabia, with a focus on cooperation in innovation, green technology, and sustainable development. He underscored the Kingdom’s role as a key international player and a crucial partner for Sweden, citing the frequent bilateral visits and participation in international events.
During the meeting, Knutsson met with key Saudi counterparts, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji and Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khalid bin Hussein Al-Bayari. Reflecting on his previous role as Sweden’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Knutsson noted the rapid changes taking place in the Kingdom and expressed excitement about revisiting areas like Diriyah, which have undergone significant transformation since his time in Riyadh.