“This is the first visit of a UN rights chief to Riyadh with a mission to seek more information about the human rights situation including reported progress in some areas as well as specific issues of particular concern,” said Rupert Colville, a spokesman of the UN human rights office, on Thursday.

“Pillay will hold talks with high-ranking Saudi officials during her three-day stay in Saudi Arabia,” said Colville. “Pillay’s visit will improve cooperation between Riyadh and the UN agency.”

Saudi Arabia has made “substantial progress in relation to human rights” and joined the process of human rights monitoring done every four years by the UN Human Rights Council, he added.

Pillay, who took up the post in late 2008, is scheduled to visit all member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during this trip.

Colville said the UN official would seek to gain first-hand understanding of the current dynamics in the GCC region in relation to human rights.

“She will also examine ways in which her office can provide further support and advice to individual GCC countries,” said Colville.

Pillay is expected to meet with heads of state, senior ministers, other government officials and civil societies during her visit.

Pillay, a South African national, visited Qatar last year  to open the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Center.