Tunis Hosts 18th Arab Border Security Conference

The 18th Arab Conference of Heads of Border, Airport and Seaport Security Agencies convened in Tunis, hosted by the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, bringing together senior security officials from across the Arab world. The conference, announced through official channels and reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), opened on 11 August 2026 at the General Secretariat headquarters in the Tunisian capital, with delegations from Arab nations joined by representatives of the Arab League, the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences.

Context and Background

The annual gathering represents one of the most established pillars of Arab security cooperation, reflecting decades of collective effort to safeguard the movement of people and goods across the region’s land crossings, airports and seaports. Its eighteenth edition underscores the continuity of a multilateral framework that treats border security not merely as a national responsibility but as a shared regional interest.

This year’s meeting takes on added significance as Arab states accelerate the digitalization of border infrastructure, integrate advanced screening technologies, and harmonize operational protocols in line with international standards set by partners such as FRONTEX and the UNODC.

Key Details

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the conference agenda focuses on the systems and tools member states use to connect and communicate between border crossings within each country, along with the mechanisms linking national operations rooms dedicated to border security across Arab states.

Participating delegations will present and review national experiences in establishing seamless connectivity between domestic border points, allowing for real-time information exchange and more coordinated responses to cross-border challenges. The discussions aim to identify best practices that can be adopted regionally, strengthening the collective capacity of Arab states to manage growing volumes of travelers, cargo and transit traffic.

Following the conference, a second meeting of a joint committee of experts and representatives from ministries of justice and interior and relevant Arab institutions will convene to examine a draft Arab agreement on combating unlawful interference with the safety and security of civil aviation.

International Impact

The participation of FRONTEX, the UNODC and the Arab Civil Aviation Organization signals Arab intent to align regional border management with global norms, facilitating cooperation on counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism and aviation security. For international audiences, the conference highlights how Arab coordination directly supports safer global travel corridors, more efficient trade routes and stronger resilience against transnational threats.

Saudi Arabia’s engagement in this framework reflects its broader commitment to regional stability and to protecting the security of the two Holy Mosques and the millions of pilgrims who travel through the Kingdom’s airports, seaports and land crossings each year.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The Kingdom’s active participation in the 18th Arab Conference aligns with Vision 2030, which seeks to position Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub and a leader in secure, technology-driven border management. Enhanced regional connectivity and intelligence-sharing support the Kingdom’s goals of expanding tourism, facilitating trade and ensuring the safety of visitors and citizens alike, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a constructive partner in Arab and international security cooperation.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the 18th Arab Conference of Heads of Border, Airport and Seaport Security Agencies?

A1. It is an annual gathering of senior Arab security officials responsible for border, airport and seaport protection, held under the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers to coordinate policies and share expertise across the region.

Q2. Where and when did the conference take place?

A2. The conference was held on 11 August 2026 at the General Secretariat headquarters in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Q3. Which organizations participated alongside Arab states?

A3. Participants included the Arab League, the Arab Civil Aviation Organization, the UNODC, FRONTEX, and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, alongside representatives of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers’ General Secretariat.

Q4. What are the main topics on the conference agenda?

A4. Delegates examined systems and tools for connecting border crossings within member states and reviewed mechanisms linking national operations rooms dedicated to border security across Arab countries.

Q5. What is the purpose of linking domestic border crossings?

A5. Connecting crossings enables real-time information exchange, faster response to incidents, and more coordinated management of travelers and cargo, strengthening overall regional border security.

Q6. What is the role of national operations rooms in border security?

A6. National operations rooms serve as central coordination hubs that monitor border activity, share intelligence and direct responses, and their interconnection across Arab states enhances collective situational awareness.

Q7. What happens after the main conference concludes?

A7. A second meeting of a joint committee of experts and representatives from ministries of justice and interior will convene to review a draft Arab agreement on combating unlawful interference with civil aviation security.

Q8. What does the draft Arab agreement address?

A8. The draft agreement focuses on combating unlawful interference with the safety and security of civil aviation, aiming to standardize legal and operational responses across Arab states.

Q9. Why is civil aviation security a priority for Arab states?

A9. Civil aviation is vital to tourism, trade and connectivity in the Arab world, and protecting it from unlawful interference safeguards economic interests and public safety across the region.

Q10. How does Saudi Arabia contribute to this Arab security framework?

A10. Saudi Arabia participates actively in Arab security conferences, sharing expertise in managing large-scale pilgrim flows and applying advanced technologies at its airports, seaports and land crossings.

Q11. How does the conference support international security cooperation?

A11. By involving FRONTEX and the UNODC, the conference fosters interoperability between Arab and international border agencies, improving counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism and travel security efforts globally.

Q12. What technologies are discussed at the conference?

A12. Discussions cover systems and tools used for connecting border crossings, digital communication platforms and operational mechanisms that enhance information-sharing among national border security agencies.

Q13. How does border security relate to tourism in the Arab world?

A13. Efficient, secure borders facilitate tourist movement while protecting visitors, supporting the growth of tourism sectors that are central to many Arab economies, including Saudi Arabia’s.

Q14. What is Naif Arab University for Security Sciences’ role?

A14. Based in Riyadh, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences provides training and research in security disciplines and contributes expertise to Arab conferences on border and aviation security.

Q15. What is the significance of the conference’s eighteenth edition?

A15. The eighteenth edition reflects the enduring commitment of Arab states to sustained multilateral security cooperation and demonstrates the maturity of regional mechanisms for addressing evolving border challenges.

Q16. How does the conference address cross-border crime?

A16. By improving connectivity between border crossings and operations rooms, the conference strengthens the ability of Arab states to detect and respond to smuggling, trafficking and other cross-border criminal activities.

Q17. What is the Council of Arab Interior Ministers?

A17. The Council of Arab Interior Ministers is a regional body that coordinates interior and security policies among Arab states, and its General Secretariat organizes conferences such as this one.

Q18. How does the conference benefit ordinary travelers?

A18. Improved coordination and technology at borders can lead to faster processing, enhanced security screening and smoother travel experiences for passengers moving between Arab countries and beyond.

Q19. What role does the Saudi Press Agency play in reporting this event?

A19. The Saudi Press Agency serves as an official source of information, ensuring that news about Arab security cooperation reaches audiences in Saudi Arabia and internationally with accuracy and clarity.

Q20. How does this conference connect to Saudi Vision 2030?

A20. The conference supports Vision 2030 by advancing secure, efficient border management that underpins Saudi Arabia’s ambitions as a global logistics hub and a leading destination for tourism and trade.

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