Saudi Arabia Calls for Unified Global Efforts to Strengthen Cybersecurity

New York, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia has emphasized the urgent need for a secure and reliable cyberspace to facilitate growth and prosperity, urging all nations to prioritize strengthening cybersecurity. This call to action was made by Abdulaziz Al-Wasel, the Kingdom’s permanent representative to the UN, during a UN Security Council debate on evolving cyberspace threats held under the theme “maintenance of international peace and security,” as reported by the Saudi Press Agency on Friday.

Al-Wasel highlighted the necessity for the international community to adopt a serious and practical approach in collaboration with the UN to unify efforts in combating cyber threats. He stressed the critical role cybersecurity plays in safeguarding the vital interests and national security of countries.

During his address, Al-Wasel underscored the rapid progress and achievements of Saudi Arabia’s cybersecurity sector, which has been a key component of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan for national development and diversification. The sector’s development has been dynamic, advancing cybersecurity on domestic, regional, and global fronts.

Saudi Arabia’s transformative journey in cybersecurity began with the development of a model based on centralized governance and decentralized operability, overseen by national authorities. This model features a comprehensive framework addressing all aspects of cybersecurity, including legislative, security-focused, economic, and developmental components.

In 2017, Saudi authorities established the National Institute for Cybersecurity. The Kingdom’s efforts have resulted in several international accolades, including securing second place globally and first in the Arab world, the Middle East, and Asia in the International Telecommunication Union’s 2020 Global Cybersecurity Index.

This week, Saudi Arabia topped the global cybersecurity rankings in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, compiled by the World Competitiveness Center of the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland. In the overall World Competitiveness Index for 2024, Saudi Arabia climbed to 16th place, having ranked 24th in 2022 and 17th last year.

Al-Wasel also noted the launch of the Global Cybersecurity Forum in 2020, an international platform that convenes decision-makers from around the world to discuss strategic cybersecurity issues. The forum, attended by representatives from more than 120 countries last year, led to the establishment of the International Cybersecurity Forum Foundation, headquartered in Riyadh, to enhance global cybersecurity efforts.

“The Kingdom is keen to unify regional efforts to cooperate in enhancing regional cybersecurity, which resulted in the establishment of a specialized ministerial committee for cybersecurity under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council, based on a proposal from the Kingdom,” Al-Wasel stated.

He also highlighted the establishment of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers in September last year, under the aegis of the Arab League, with its general secretariat and executive offices in Riyadh.

The UN welcomed Saudi Arabia’s efforts in the cybersecurity sector, noting the Kingdom’s provision of capacity-building exercises worldwide, with over 40 states and organizations participating in such training.

Saudi Arabia’s proactive stance and international cooperation in cybersecurity underscore its commitment to fostering a secure digital environment that supports growth and global stability.