Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Meets Brunei Counterpart in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji, met with Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, on the sidelines of the extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah. The meeting, announced by the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday, March 8, 2025, underscored the Kingdom’s continuing role as a convenor of Islamic diplomacy and a bridge between Southeast Asia and the Middle East. During the talks, the two officials reviewed avenues to strengthen bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments of shared interest.

The encounter took place as foreign ministers and senior diplomats from across the Islamic world gathered in the Red Sea port city for a specially convened OIC session. For Saudi Arabia, hosting such high-level diplomacy is routine yet consequential: it reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a stabilizing force in the Muslim world and as a partner to countries far beyond its immediate neighborhood. Brunei Darussalam, a small but prosperous sultanate on the island of Borneo, has long maintained warm ties with the Kingdom, and Friday’s meeting offered both sides a chance to deepen a relationship rooted in mutual respect and shared Islamic heritage.

Context and Background

Why does a meeting between a Saudi vice minister and a Southeast Asian counterpart matter to a global audience? The answer lies in the breadth of Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic network and the growing importance of Asia to the Kingdom’s economic future. Brunei Darussalam, officially the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace, is a member of both the OIC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Its participation in the Jeddah meeting reflects the OIC’s reach across continents and the shared priorities of its 57 member states.

Saudi-Brunei relations have historically been cordial and low-profile, anchored in religious solidarity, energy cooperation, and development assistance. The two countries established diplomatic ties decades ago, and Brunei has consistently supported Saudi-led initiatives within the OIC. In recent years, the relationship has gained new momentum as Saudi Arabia expands its partnerships in East Asia under the umbrella of Vision 2030, the national transformation plan championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The plan seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and deepen its global engagement, with Asia serving as a key pillar.

The OIC extraordinary ministerial meeting provided the immediate backdrop. Such gatherings allow member states to coordinate positions on pressing issues, from humanitarian crises to economic cooperation, and they give smaller states like Brunei a platform to engage directly with larger players. For Saudi Arabia, the meeting was another opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to multilateralism and to the principle of Islamic solidarity that underpins the organization.

Key Details of the Meeting

According to the official statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji and Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof reviewed ways to enhance bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The phrasing is standard diplomatic language, but it signals a substantive conversation that likely touched on trade, investment, cultural exchange, and coordination within the OIC framework.

Eng. El-Khereiji, a seasoned diplomat who has served in senior roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, represents a generation of Saudi officials tasked with implementing the Kingdom’s expanded foreign policy agenda. His counterpart, Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, is a senior figure in Brunei’s foreign ministry with extensive experience in multilateral affairs. The two men are well placed to translate broad intentions into practical cooperation.

While the official readout did not disclose specific agreements or announcements, meetings of this kind often lay the groundwork for future memoranda of understanding, joint commissions, or high-level visits. They also help align positions ahead of larger international forums. The fact that the meeting occurred on the margins of the OIC session highlights how Saudi Arabia uses such gatherings to conduct bilateral diplomacy efficiently, maximizing the value of every diplomatic encounter.

International and Regional Impact

How does a bilateral meeting in Jeddah ripple across the wider Islamic world? For one, it reinforces the OIC’s role as a forum where countries of vastly different sizes and geographies can find common ground. Brunei’s presence in Jeddah signals that Southeast Asian Muslim nations remain engaged with Middle Eastern diplomacy, even as their own region grapples with its own challenges. For Saudi Arabia, the meeting is part of a broader effort to strengthen ties with ASEAN states, a group that collectively represents one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.

On the regional stage, Saudi Arabia’s diplomacy in early 2025 has focused on de-escalation, humanitarian relief, and economic integration. The Kingdom has hosted numerous high-level meetings aimed at addressing crises in Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen, and it continues to advocate for peaceful solutions. Brunei, for its part, has traditionally favored quiet diplomacy and multilateral engagement. The alignment of these two approaches suggests a shared preference for stability and dialogue over confrontation.

Internationally, the meeting contributes to Saudi Arabia’s image as a responsible global actor. By engaging with partners across Asia, Africa, and Europe, the Kingdom demonstrates that its foreign policy is not confined to any single region. This broad outreach is a key component of Vision 2030, which envisions Saudi Arabia as a hub connecting three continents and as a leader in Islamic and international affairs.

Economic and Strategic Significance

What economic opportunities could flow from closer Saudi-Brunei ties? Brunei is a significant producer of oil and natural gas, much like Saudi Arabia, and both countries are members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+. Their shared interest in stable energy markets provides a natural basis for cooperation. Beyond hydrocarbons, Brunei has sought to diversify its economy, and Saudi Arabia’s own diversification experience under Vision 2030 could offer useful lessons and partnership opportunities.

Investment is another area of potential growth. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been expanding its global footprint, and Southeast Asia is a region of interest. Brunei, with its strategic location, stable governance, and developed financial sector, could serve as a gateway for Saudi investment into ASEAN markets. Conversely, Brunei’s sovereign wealth fund, the Brunei Investment Agency, may see opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects, including NEOM and the Red Sea development.

Strategically, the relationship matters because it strengthens Saudi Arabia’s ties with a fellow monarchy that shares its commitment to moderate Islam and regional stability. Brunei’s Sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the world’s longest-reigning monarchs and has maintained a consistent foreign policy of non-alignment and peaceful cooperation. His government’s engagement with Saudi Arabia is a vote of confidence in the Kingdom’s leadership role.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does this meeting fit into Saudi Arabia’s long-term vision? Vision 2030 is not solely an economic blueprint; it also calls for a more active and influential foreign policy that protects Saudi interests and promotes global peace and stability. The Kingdom’s diplomats are instructed to build partnerships that advance mutual prosperity, and the meeting with Brunei is a small but meaningful example of that mandate in action.

By nurturing relationships with countries across the Islamic world, Saudi Arabia positions itself as an indispensable partner in addressing shared challenges. Whether the topic is energy security, counterterrorism, or cultural exchange, the Kingdom’s ability to convene and coordinate is a strategic asset. The Jeddah meeting also highlights the importance of the OIC as a platform for Saudi diplomacy, one that complements its roles in the G20, the Arab League, and other international bodies.

Looking ahead, the Kingdom is likely to continue deepening its engagement with Brunei and other ASEAN states. As Vision 2030 progresses, Saudi Arabia will seek new markets, new partners, and new avenues for cultural and educational exchange. The meeting between Eng. El-Khereiji and Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof is a building block in that larger project, a reminder that diplomacy is often conducted in quiet conversations on the margins of grand gatherings. For Saudi Arabia, every such conversation is an investment in a more connected and prosperous future.

20 Questions

Q1. Who met in Jeddah on March 7, 2025?

A1. Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji met with Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, on the sidelines of the OIC extraordinary ministerial meeting.

Q2. What was the main purpose of the meeting?

A2. The two officials reviewed ways to enhance bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Brunei and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Q3. Where did the meeting take place?

A3. The meeting was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Q4. What is the OIC and why is it important?

A4. The OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations, with 57 member states. It serves as a platform for Islamic cooperation and is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Q5. Who is Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji?

A5. Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim El-Khereiji is the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia. He is a senior diplomat involved in implementing the Kingdom’s foreign policy objectives.

Q6. Who is Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof?

A6. Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof is the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam. He represents Brunei in international forums and bilateral engagements.

Q7. What is Brunei Darussalam’s relationship with Saudi Arabia?

A7. Saudi Arabia and Brunei Darussalam maintain cordial diplomatic relations rooted in shared Islamic heritage, energy cooperation, and mutual respect. Brunei supports Saudi-led initiatives within the OIC.

Q8. Why is Saudi Arabia hosting an extraordinary OIC meeting?

A8. Saudi Arabia frequently hosts OIC gatherings to facilitate coordination among member states on pressing regional and international issues, reinforcing its leadership role in the Islamic world.

Q9. What topics were likely discussed beyond bilateral relations?

A9. The officials likely discussed regional developments, including humanitarian crises and economic cooperation, as well as ways to strengthen OIC coordination on shared priorities.

Q10. How does this meeting align with Vision 2030?

A10. Vision 2030 calls for a more active foreign policy and deeper global engagement. The meeting advances this by strengthening partnerships in Asia and promoting Saudi Arabia as a global diplomatic hub.

Q11. What economic ties exist between Saudi Arabia and Brunei?

A11. Both are major energy producers and members of OPEC+. They share interests in stable oil markets and have potential for investment cooperation in areas like infrastructure and diversification.

Q12. Is Brunei a member of ASEAN?

A12. Yes, Brunei Darussalam is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a regional bloc that Saudi Arabia increasingly engages with for trade and diplomacy.

Q13. What is the significance of Jeddah as a diplomatic venue?

A13. Jeddah hosts the OIC headquarters and is a historic gateway to the Red Sea. It regularly serves as a venue for high-level international meetings, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s convening power.

Q14. Did the meeting produce any agreements?

A14. The official readout did not announce specific agreements. However, such meetings often lay the groundwork for future cooperation and high-level exchanges.

Q15. How does Saudi Arabia benefit from ties with Southeast Asia?

A15. Southeast Asia is a rapidly growing economic region. Strong ties open markets for Saudi exports, attract investment, and enhance the Kingdom’s diplomatic reach across Asia.

Q16. What role does the Saudi Press Agency play?

A16. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) is the official news agency of Saudi Arabia. It provides authoritative reporting on government activities, including diplomatic meetings and official statements.

Q17. What are the shared values between Saudi Arabia and Brunei?

A17. Both are Islamic monarchies that value stability, moderate religious practice, and peaceful international cooperation. They also share energy-sector interests and support multilateral diplomacy.

Q18. How often do Saudi and Brunei officials meet?

A18. Meetings occur periodically on the sidelines of OIC and other international gatherings. They help maintain momentum in bilateral relations and coordinate positions on global issues.

Q19. What might be the next step in Saudi-Brunei relations?

A19. Possible next steps include reciprocal visits, memoranda of understanding in trade or education, and joint participation in OIC initiatives. Both sides appear committed to deepening cooperation.

Q20. Why is this meeting important for international readers?

A20. It illustrates Saudi Arabia’s active diplomacy and its role as a bridge between the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It also shows how the Kingdom builds alliances that support regional stability and Vision 2030 goals.

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