First Saudi woman ambassador Reema Bint Bandar starts US mission
Reema was appointed to the post in February amid a major liberalization drive
Riyadh: Saudi Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud on Thursday started her mission in the US as the kingdom’s first female ambassador.
The 44-year-old diplomat, a George Washington University graduate, expressed excitement about the new mission.
“Honored to present my credentials today to @StateDept,” Reema said in a tweet.
“Looking forward to starting this chapter of life in Washington DC. The journey begins with a wonderful team,” she added.
“I started today my mission as the Kingdom’s ambassador to the USA. I ask God to bestow success on me and my colleagues in our mission to serve our beloved country,” she added in another tweet.
Reema was appointed to the post in February amid a major liberalization drive in Saudi Arabia
She had earlier served as the deputy of planning and development for the Saudi General Sports Authority and as the Authority’s vice president of women’s sffairs.
She started her assignment in Washington with a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker. They discussed issues of mutual interest to both countries and ways of boosting their ties, the official Saudi news agency SPA reported.
Relations have thrived between Riyadh and Washington since US President Donald Trump came to office in January 2017. He visited Saudi Arabia in May 2017 as part of his first foreign trip as president.
Other posts and achievments:
In 2016, Reema served as the Saudi General Sports Authority’s (GSA) Deputy of Planning and Development, where she has led diversity and inclusion (D&I), the development of the Kingdom’s sports economy, and strategic partnerships.
She was also appointed as vice president of women’s affairs at the General Sports Authority (GSA) and as president of the Saudi Federation for Community Sports and successfully pushed for the inclusion of physical education for girls in schools.
In 2017, Princess Reema was awarded HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award for her role played in the empowerment of women in the region.
In March 2019 she was appointed head of the newly established Saudi Special Olympics Federation.