VIENNA, 5 September 2017: The International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) welcomed the newly appointed ambassadors of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Spain to its headquarters for an introductory presentation on the Centre’s work promoting interreligious dialogue around the world.

H.E. Dr. Khalid Al Jindan and H. E. Juan Sunyé Mendía visited the Centre for the first time since their recent appointments as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the Republic of Austria, respectively.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Austria and the Kingdom of Spain, with the Holy See as a Founding Observer, constitute the Council of Parties of the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID).

The Ambassadors and their accompanying delegations were welcomed by KAICIID Secretary General Faisal Bin Muaammar, Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alvaro Albacete and Director General Fahad Abualnasr.

H.E. Bin Muaammar said: “As an intergovernmental organization with the unique mandate to build bridges between religious leaders and policymakers, we work very closely with, and rely heavily on, the support of our Council of Parties. We are grateful for the continuous cooperation provided by the governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Spain, and their embassies in Austria. We look forward to deepening these ties.”

The Secretary General and the senior leadership of KAICIID presented the work of the Centre, in particular its programmes to promote common citizenship and reconciliation in the Arab region (with a focus on Iraq and Syria), Nigeria, the Central African Republic and Myanmar. The Ambassadors were also briefed on the Centre’s upcoming conference under its flagship initiative “United against Violence in the Name of Religion”, to be held in Vienna in February 2018.

Ambassador Al Jindan and Ambassador Mendía thanked the Secretary General for the introduction to the Centre, and expressed their commitment to the cause of interreligious dialogue and to the work of the Centre.

Ambassador Al Jindan stated that “while KAICIID confronts great challenges, these challenges offer the organization at these times with considerable relevance and ample opportunities. Dialogue is needed now more than ever.”

Ambassador Mendía assured the Secretary General that “Spain will support KAICIID in reinforcing the support it needs at the international level to be able to fulfil its mission and accordingly to enhance its international design.”