Security and History Dialogue Conference 2026 concludes in Riyadh with strong turnout

The Security and History Dialogue Conference 2026 concluded today at the Cultural Palace in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. Organized by the Ministry of Interior and held under the patronage of Interior Minister Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, the three-day event ran under the theme “Our History and Future: Security and Growth.” The conference saw broad attendance and lively participation, with senior officials, experts, researchers, academics, writers, and specialists from Saudi Arabia and abroad taking part.

The conference attracted significant interest throughout its three days, with more than 5,200 visitors attending.

The event served as a national intellectual forum, bringing together officials, decision-makers, security and executive leaders, historians, researchers, academics, media professionals, writers, and cultural figures. It also welcomed large numbers of those interested in the history of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi state, providing a platform for dialogue that examined the Saudi experience from multiple perspectives and connected historical milestones to present-day changes and future aspirations.

The conference program featured more than 60 panel discussions, interactive sessions, keynote speeches, and special dialogues, with over 160 speakers and participants from inside and outside the Kingdom. More than 30 governmental, academic, and scientific entities took part, with activities spread across the “Dialogue Platform” and the “Security and History Theater,” totaling over 60 hours of discussion and engagement.

Topics covered reflected the diversity of issues and richness of debate around the concept of security and its relationship to various aspects of state and society building. Sessions addressed the history of security in the Saudi state, institution-building, justice, stability, citizenship and national identity, security and investment, awareness and moderation, international relations, security partnerships, the roles of citizens, families, and women, as well as media, culture, the arts, cultural heritage, artificial intelligence, and the future of security, among others.

Sessions also explored key moments in Saudi history, the legacy of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, the development of state institutions and security agencies, the care of the Two Holy Mosques and holy sites, military and security heritage, and an examination of Saudi Arabia’s experience in development and economic, social, and cultural transformation, as well as the role of security and stability in supporting this progress.

The conference featured a number of special dialogues and keynote addresses, where local and international officials, diplomats, and experts shared their experiences and insights on Saudi Arabia and its transformations, adding a human dimension to the scientific and historical content presented in the sessions.

Conference sessions drew strong interest from intellectuals, media professionals, researchers, and those passionate about Saudi history, alongside notable youth and student attendance. The diversity of participants enriched discussions and fostered dialogue between official, academic, cultural, and media expertise, as well as across generations.

The conference was organized in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) as the main partner, the Royal Commission for Riyadh City as strategic partner, and with Tuwaiq Academy and the Saudi Company for Comprehensive Technical and Security Control (Tahakom) as leading partners, in addition to the participation of several ministries, universities, and national academic and scientific institutions.

The Security and History Dialogue Conference 2026 builds on the Security and History Dialogue Forum organized by the Ministry of Interior in 2025. This year, the event expanded into a three-day program combining intellectual and historical dialogue with specialized experiences, aiming to raise awareness of Saudi history, highlight the value of security in the nation’s development, and produce knowledge content that documents the Saudi experience for future generations.