Riyadh- Chairman of King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, Prince Turki al-Faisal, said that the center is studying the possibility to launch a prize entitled “Saud al-Faisal”. Also, Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies is planning to establish a university holding his name.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Prince Turki al-Faisal pointed out that the International Conference “Saud of Nations”, being patronized by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, proves that the King is attentive towards his citizens and is keen to highlight what they have accomplished to serve their country and religion.
He added that the conference, which will be held from April 24 till April 26, will shed light on the immense contributions rendered by the late prince to the Saudi, Arab and international diplomacy, in addition to his major achievements.
Prince Saud, who was the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister from Oct. 13, 1975 until April 29, 2015, became the world’s longest serving foreign minister. He had worked under four Saudi kings – King Khalid, King Fahd, King Abdullah and King Salman al Saud and witnessed key events experienced by the Middle East and the world. He held this position, succeeding his father, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, who laid the foundations of the Saudi diplomacy.
Several working sessions will discuss various aspects of the multifaceted personality of Prince Saud as well as the salient features of the Saudi diplomacy and major historic events that had taken place during his tenure.
The conference, said Prince Turki, will also shed light on efforts exerted by Prince Saud Al-Faisal for over 40 years of shuttling between world capitals, explaining his country’s policies and defending the principles and interests of his country and the Arab and Islamic worlds.
The agenda of the three-day conference includes a series of sessions and lectures which will primarily deal with aspects of Prince Saud’s scientific and professional careers, his diplomatic efforts in the establishment of the GCC countries, activation of the Arab League, protection of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians and the fight against terrorism, in addition to a lecture by Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, Prince Turki added.
When asked whether this international conference will be held annually, he said that this has not been studied yet; however the organizers of the event will establish an archive for the researchers in order to display the late Prince’s achievements, experiences and thoughts, asserting that the archive might be released in a form of book or a documentary.
Prince Turki also expected that the Institute for Diplomatic Studies might benefit from Saud al-Faisal’s diplomatic experience and use it in submitting ideas related to education and training to become teaching curricula later on. He noted that the conference will be attended by presidents of several countries and governments, political leaders, foreign ministers, diplomats and other public figures.