Syrian interim president Ahmad Al-Sharaa visits SDAIA headquarters in Riyadh

Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the interim president of the Syrian Arab Republic, visited the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA) headquarters in Riyadh on Monday, marking a significant step in technological and diplomatic engagement between Syria and Saudi Arabia.

Upon arrival, Al-Sharaa was received by top Saudi officials, including Minister of State Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha, National Cybersecurity Authority Governor Majed Al-Mazyed and Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority Governor Suhail Abanmi.

During his visit, Al-Sharaa toured SDAIA’s facilities, where the agency’s president, Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, showcased Saudi Arabia’s advancements in artificial intelligence and data optimization, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal of positioning the Kingdom as a global AI leader. The discussions also included insights into the country’s digital transformation efforts, including the Tawakkalna application, which serves as a centralized platform for government services.

Officials from the National Cybersecurity Authority and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority also presented key developments in their respective fields, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s progress in data security and economic digitization.

Al-Sharaa’s visit to the Kingdom—the first since assuming office—also included a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday. The two leaders discussed efforts to enhance security and stability in Syria while exploring ways to improve diplomatic relations between their countries. Regional developments were also reviewed in broader discussions on Middle Eastern affairs.

Following his engagements in Riyadh, Al-Sharaa travelled to Jeddah before proceeding to Makkah, where he performed Umrah. The Saudi Press Agency released images of him wearing the Ihram, the sacred attire worn by Muslims during the pilgrimage, signifying the spiritual aspect of his visit.

Saudi Arabia and Syria have been working toward diplomatic normalization in recent years, with this high-level visit signalling further collaboration in technology, security and bilateral relations.