In a welcoming gesture reflecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's warm reception of its guests, the Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Passports, announced the launch of a special stamp for the "World Defence Exhibition 2026." This commemorative stamp is available to travelers and international delegations arriving in the Kingdom via King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as well as the dedicated exhibition airport in the Malham area, coinciding with the start of the global event, which began today, Sunday, and continues until February 12.

This initiative comes as part of the General Directorate of Passports' commitment to documenting the visit of those arriving to attend this major international event, which brings together leading decision-makers and military and security experts from around the world. The stamp serves as a memento of participation in the 2026 edition of the exhibition, which has become a pivotal platform in the global defense and security industries.

“Miqdam” Wing: An Advanced Security Vision

On the ground, the Ministry of Interior has a prominent presence at the exhibition with its pavilion bearing the slogan “Miqdam” (meaning “bold” or “courageous”). This slogan aims to embody strength and boldness in adopting the latest technologies, as the Ministry showcases its strategic plans for developing the internal security system. The pavilion focuses primarily on employing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and advanced digital solutions to enhance security and operational capabilities.

The ministry offers visitors to the exhibition an interactive experience showcasing its innovative solutions in several vital areas, most notably:

• Developing safe cities: through smart monitoring and data analysis systems that ensure the safety of the community.
• Border security and crisis management: A review of the latest technological equipment for protecting the Kingdom's borders and effectively dealing with emergencies.
• Security of vital facilities and the environment: Advanced mechanisms to protect national assets and maintain environmental sustainability.

Context of the event and its strategic importance

The World Defence Exhibition (WDE) holds significant strategic importance as a key enabler for achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in the military industries sector. By hosting this event at its permanent venue in Malham, north of Riyadh, the Kingdom aims to promote the localization of military and security industries, with the goal of achieving local content for more than 50% of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030.

The Ministry of Interior’s participation in this forum reflects its commitment to supporting localization efforts, by showcasing its contributions to knowledge transfer and the localization of security technologies, which enhances the Kingdom’s strategic independence and raises the readiness of its security sectors to face future challenges.

In a move reflecting the growing international influence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in global professional forums, the Kingdom achieved an unprecedented historical milestone by winning the presidency of the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) for the 2027-2028 term. The Kingdom will be represented in this prestigious position by His Excellency Dr. Hossam bin Abdulmohsen Al-Anqari, President of the General Auditing Bureau and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Association of Internal Auditors.

A historical precedent in the Arab and Asian worlds

This victory marks a pivotal moment in the history of the internal audit profession, as the Kingdom secured its first presidency of the Institute's Board of Directors since its founding in 1941. Dr. Hossam Al-Anqari thus becomes the first Asian and Arab figure to assume the presidency, breaking a long-standing monopoly on these positions and representing a clear international recognition of Saudi leadership capabilities and the prestigious professional standing the Kingdom has achieved.

Significance of the victory and its timing

The announcement of this victory came during the Institute's first Board of Directors meeting of 2026, held in Cape Town, South Africa. This selection carries profound implications that extend beyond a mere honorary position, reflecting the Kingdom's transition from participation to leadership and influence in shaping global professional policies, and its active involvement in decision-making within the largest international organization specializing in this vital field.

Commenting on this achievement, Al-Anqari emphasized that this significant victory was not the result of individual effort, but rather the fruit of continuous institutional work and ambitious national strategies aimed at enhancing governance and transparency. He pointed to the pivotal role played by the Saudi Association of Internal Auditors in developing the national system, which contributed to its ranking among the top ten professional organizations worldwide in the field of internal auditing.

Alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030

This achievement is perfectly aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which places governance, transparency, accountability, and combating corruption at the heart of its priorities. The Kingdom's position at the top of the International Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) enhances its image as a leading nation in implementing international standards and supports its efforts to develop the business environment and attract foreign investment seeking reliable regulatory and oversight frameworks.

Riyadh to be the capital of internal auditing in 2027

The Kingdom's presidency of the Institute (2027-2028) is of particular significance, as it coincides with Riyadh hosting the International Conference of Internal Auditors in 2027. This convergence of presidency and hosting will place Riyadh in the global spotlight and make it the premier destination for internal audit experts and professionals, providing an exceptional opportunity to showcase the development and maturity the profession has achieved in the Kingdom, as well as supporting national talent and enabling them to engage with international expertise.

About the International Institute (IIA)

It is worth noting that the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is the world's leading professional body for the internal audit profession. Founded in 1941, the IIA is headquartered in Florida, USA. It boasts a vast network of over 170 chapters and professional bodies, and its services and standards cover more than 140 countries worldwide, making the Kingdom's presidency of this organization a major global responsibility and a testament to its well-deserved leadership.

The third edition of the World Defense Show 2026 kicked off today (Sunday) at its permanent headquarters in Malham, north of the capital Riyadh, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, and with wide participation from high-level official delegations, government agencies, and a selection of major international and local companies specializing in the defense and security industry sector. This edition comes under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

This global event is of great strategic importance, as it is organized by the General Authority for Military Industries and continues until February 12, to be a pivotal platform that works to accelerate the pace of efforts to localize more than 50% of the Kingdom's military spending, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The exhibition aims to raise the operational readiness of the military forces and enhance the Kingdom's strategic independence in the defense field, thus consolidating its position as an effective regional and international power.

In the context of the dazzling opening, Royal Saudi Air Force aircraft presented exceptional aerial displays and precise engineering formations in the skies of Riyadh, reflecting the skill and professionalism of Saudi pilots and the efficiency of combat systems, in a scene that captivated the audience and highlighted the great development witnessed by the military sector in the Kingdom.

For his part, the spokesman for the Ministry of Defense at the exhibition, Colonel Khalid Al-Aifan, confirmed that the ministry’s participation is a practical translation of the ambitious vision’s objectives to localize military industries and seek to raise the percentage of local spending on military services and equipment to 50% by 2030. He pointed out that the exhibition reflects the Kingdom’s firm commitment to innovation and development, and to building an integrated and sustainable defense system through platforms that bring together government agencies and international partners to exchange experiences and transfer technology.

The third edition features an expanded program including live air and ground demonstrations, static displays of the latest defense technologies, and newly developed zones that foster partnerships and integration between the public and private sectors. The exhibition provides an ideal platform for investors and industry leaders to hold professional meetings over five days, showcasing the latest military capabilities and innovative security solutions.

The exhibition features a purpose-built, fully equipped airport with a 2,700-meter runway, four taxiways, and spacious exhibition areas, allowing for the display of the latest military aircraft and drones. This state-of-the-art infrastructure underscores the exhibition's position as one of the leading international defense events, capable of hosting integrated displays of world-class quality. This edition is expected to break records in visitor numbers and contracts signed compared to previous years.