A conference of all Saudi Arabian Ambassadors to European nations has been held over the last three days in London following on from recommendations made at a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh in 2006.

The Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf welcomed the ambassadors at the start of the meeting on 21 July, and called on them to raise all issues of concern and highlighted the importance of their work in line with the trust accorded to them by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal.

The Ambassador stressed that the Saudi leadership laid emphasis not only on the political aspects of diplomatic work but also on many other areas that were of importance in each host country.

The Ambassador used the occasion to underline the growing impact of technology throughout Saudi missions abroad and that Ambassadors and diplomats should be at the forefront of understanding how technology could assist the day-to-day running of the Kingdom’s embassies and consulates. He also added that continual professional development and training for staff was vital to ensure not only ever improved work practices but also to raise the image of the Kingdom throughout Europe.

The Ambassador highlighted three challenges that needed further deliberation during the meeting:

• Restructuring, with a review of administrative regulations and the method of implementation. He called upon the meeting’s delegates to create solutions to common administrative issues so the quality of work could be continually improved.

• The provision of further training and continuing professional development for employees throughout Saudi European missions

• Improved data gathering and the transfer of information. The Ambassador added that in the current age, knowledge was key to decision-making, and Saudi missions had not only to understand how important it was to people’s lives but also how diplomacy could adapt with it and develop.