The Protocol and Public Relations Department is a supporting department within the General Secretariat. Its main functions include internal support and tasks related to conferences and events outside of the headquarters. Additionally, the department is responsible for following up on various procedures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia and other relevant government departments.

 

Functions of the Department:

• Arranging H.E. the Secretary-General’s schedule and appointments.
• Following up on requests received to meet with the Secretary-General and invitations addressed to him, whether for official visits or attending international meetings and conferences.
• Receiving and accompanying the Secretary-General and OIC guests.
• Determining the Secretary-General’s travel programs and meetings and arranging the travel program, accommodation, transportation, and other logistical issues during travel.
• Organizing events held by the Secretary-General on various occasions, whether in the General Secretariat or during external visits.
• Organizing events organized by the OIC on various national, social, and diplomatic occasions.
• Preparing gifts presented by the Secretary-General on various occasions.
• Preparing messages the Secretary-General addresses to heads of state, heads of government, foreign ministers, and dignitaries on various occasions.
• Facilitating travel procedures for employees of the General Secretariat
• Preparing regulations for protocol information for the Member States.
• Matters relating to protocol arrangements for summits, foreign ministers, sectoral ministerial conferences, and other conferences, meetings, seminars, and activities of the OIC.

 

The Protocol Department contacts the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, the headquarters country, and other competent government departments in the Kingdom. They aim to ensure that the procedures for employees of the General Secretariat are implemented within the framework of the laws in force in the Kingdom. They also ensure that the agreements signed between the headquarters country and the General Secretariat are adhered to. These agreements include issuing entry visas to Saudi Arabia for delegates of Member States who participate in conferences and meetings held in the General Secretariat and guests coming from abroad to visit the OIC. Furthermore, the Protocol Department follows up on procedures for issuing residencies and other procedures related to employees of the General Secretariat. They work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Passports and Traffic Department, and other relevant departments to ensure smooth implementation of these procedures.

The Department plays a vital role in strengthening relationships with relevant parties to improve the image and identity of the OIC. It does so by the objectives outlined in the Charter and its role as the second-largest intergovernmental organization in the international arena.