The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the first ministry established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was established on December 16, 1930, after the founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud had completed the unification of the Kingdom's provinces, even before announcing the unification. He had begun to enhance the Kingdom's status in international relations by sending envoys, receiving delegations from other countries, and concluding agreements.
The Royal Order stipulated the appointment of Prince Faisal Bin Abdulaziz, Viceroy of Hejaz, as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
King Abdulaziz had previously established the General Directorate of Foreign Affairs in Makkah al-Mukarramah in 1926.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for foreign policy, diplomatic foreign relations, and enhancing the Kingdom’s role in promoting security and stability in the region and the world. Its duties include providing support to Saudi citizens residing abroad and protecting their interests through its embassies and representatives.
When the General Directorate of Foreign Affairs was established, the number of foreign diplomatic missions in the Kingdom was nine missions. Then, the number was increased to twenty-nine missions after the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign diplomatic presence in the Kingdom continued to grow, reaching approximately 157 representations by 2024, including ninety-eight embassies in Riyadh and fifty-nine consulates in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dharan. Regarding Saudi representations overseas, the Kingdom inaugurated its first diplomatic mission abroad in Cairo in 1929. The number of Saudi diplomatic missions abroad increased, reaching five in 1936 and eighteen in 1951, and continued to grow to reach 102 embassies, eighteen consulates, and five delegations and commercial offices worldwide by 2024.
Related quizzes
