Saudi Arabia Highlights Cybersecurity Progress, Urges Worldwide Cooperation At UN

Saudi Arabia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil, highlighted the urgent need for a secure and reliable cyberspace to drive growth and prosperity. His comments were made during a UN Security Council debate on evolving cyberspace threats.

Dr. Alwasil stressed the importance of prioritising cybersecurity efforts globally, noting that robust cybersecurity is crucial for protecting nations' vital interests and national security. He called for enhanced international cooperation in cybersecurity and urged collective efforts to mitigate cyber risks.

Dr. Alwasil emphasised the necessity for the international community to adopt a serious and practical approach to unifying global efforts against cyberspace threats through relevant UN committees and specialised bodies. He underscored the significant progress achieved in Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector, aligning with Vision 2030 goals.

The Kingdom has embarked on a transformative journey to develop the "Saudi model" in cybersecurity, which is based on centralised governance and decentralised operability. Dr. Alwasil detailed Saudi Arabia's accomplishments, including achieving a global ranking of second, and first in the Arab world, the Middle East, and Asia according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index.

Saudi Arabia has also secured second place globally for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) in the World Competitiveness Yearbook's cybersecurity indicator, published by the Swiss-based Institute for Management Development (IMD). This year, Saudi Arabia claimed the top spot in the World Competitiveness Yearbook, solidifying its global leadership in cybersecurity.

Dr. Alwasil mentioned the establishment of the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) by Saudi Arabia. The GCF Institute was also launched as a Riyadh-headquartered organisation dedicated to enhancing cybersecurity on an international scale.

Regional Cooperation Initiatives

Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering regional cooperation in enhancing cybersecurity is exemplified by the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee and the League of Arab States (LAS) Arab Cybersecurity Ministerial Council, both spearheaded by Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Alwasil's remarks underscore Saudi Arabia's proactive stance in addressing cyberspace threats and its dedication to promoting global and regional cooperation in cybersecurity efforts.

With inputs from SPA