The UAE and Saudi Arabia Hold the First Session of Their Joint Consular Committee

As part of the initiatives of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia convened the first session of their Joint Consular Committee in Abu Dhabi. This meeting comes within the framework of enhancing the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two brotherly nations and reaffirming the strategic partnership built on solid historical foundations and a shared vision to achieve national and developmental interests.

The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Khaled Abdullah Belhoul, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency Ambassador Ali Bin Abdulrahman Al-Youssef, Undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs.

H.E. Khaled Belhoul conveyed the greetings of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasizing the exceptional relationship between the two countries and the strategic cooperation based on steadfast pillars of understanding, collaboration, mutual interests, and a long-standing partnership rooted in a common destiny. These ties are further strengthened by shared visions and unified objectives across various fields.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to enhance consular cooperation, with a focus on improving services provided to citizens and residents. This dialogue comes in light of the significant increase in the number of Saudi residents and visitors to the UAE. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of Saudi residents in the UAE grew by 20%, while the number of Saudi visitors increased by 6%. Additionally, the number of Saudi students studying in the UAE rose by 16% during the same period. These figures reflect the depth of the bonds between the two peoples and underscore the importance of consular collaboration in meeting shared aspirations.

The meeting also addressed the enhancement of mechanisms for delivering consular services, including facilitating travel and mobility, strengthening cooperation in digital consular services, and developing innovative solutions to ensure swift and efficient responses to citizens’ needs. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing mutual coordination and addressing any challenges faced by their citizens abroad.

Representatives from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security participated in the meeting, alongside representatives from relevant authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.