The number of Saudi women assuming diplomatic positions has increased to five, with the addition of Ambassadors Nisreen Al-Shibel and Haifa Al-Jedia to the list of Saudi representatives in the Kingdom’s embassies abroad.
Al-Shibel has been appointed as Saudi Arabia’s new ambassador to Finland. She and Al-Jedia took the oath of office at Al-Yamamah Palace before Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
“I extend my thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Highness the Crown Prince - may God protect them - for the generous trust... I also thank His Highness the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his support of the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” she wrote on Twitter.
Al-Jedia has been appointed as Ambassador and Head of Saudi Arabia’s Mission to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC).
She was the managing director of SRMG Think, a newly established studies department by the Saudi Research and Media Group, which seeks to provide analyses on the Middle East and North Africa in various fields, including the economy, geography and foreign policy.
Al-Jedia previously worked at the United Nations Center for Combating Terrorism, represented her country at the United Nations and the Security Council, and assumed the position of supervisor for the General Department of International Relations at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism.
She holds a master’s degree in conflict resolution and negotiation from Columbia University, a master’s degree in international relations and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University.
Saudi Arabia has now five female ambassadors abroad: Princess Rima bint Bandar Al Saud, who took over the duties of the Saudi embassy in Washington, becoming at that time the first Saudi woman to hold the position of ambassador. She was later joined by Amal Al-Mouallimi, ambassador to Norway, and Enas Al-Shahwan, ambassador to Sweden.
