The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen its leading position regionally and globally in the field of cybersecurity , as it chaired – represented by the Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, Engineer Majid bin Mohammed Al-Mazyad – the work of the second regular session of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, which was launched today in the capital, Riyadh, with the participation of ministers and concerned parties from the member states of the League of Arab States, and in the presence of the Assistant Secretary-General, Head of the Economic Affairs Sector, Ambassador Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Maliki.
Cybersecurity: A shared Arab priority
The Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority opened the session with a speech emphasizing that the geopolitical, economic, and technological transformations the world is witnessing make cybersecurity a fundamental pillar in protecting Arab economies and interests, and in preserving shared Arab security. He noted that the Council, during its first year, achieved numerous accomplishments in strengthening joint Arab action in this field, stressing that the goal is to reach a secure and reliable Arab cyberspace that contributes to development and stability.
He further expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to the Crown Prince, Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman , for their support, guidance, and continuous follow-up, which have enabled the Kingdom to play this pivotal role.
Arab support and international progress
For his part, the Assistant Secretary-General – on behalf of the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit – delivered a speech in which he stressed the great attention that the League pays to the cybersecurity file, noting that the past period witnessed important achievements for Arab countries in developing their cyber infrastructure, which was reflected in their progress on the Global Cybersecurity Index ( GCI ) issued by the International Telecommunication Union for 2024.
New decisions and strategies
The Council discussed working papers submitted by member states and adopted several key resolutions, including the adoption of the Arab Cybersecurity Strategy , the approval of the Arab Ministerial Council for Cybersecurity's accession to the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, and its membership in leading international organizations. It was also decided to coordinate joint Arab data through the Council and to adopt mechanisms for international organizations to join as observers. The deliberations focused on emerging security, economic, and developmental issues related to cybersecurity, aiming to enhance the ability of Arab states to address digital challenges.
Institutional framework for joint work
It is worth noting that the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council, operating under the umbrella of the League of Arab States, comprises the Arab ministers concerned with this sector and was established by a resolution of an Arab summit. Its responsibilities include developing general policies, strategies, and priorities related to cybersecurity, reviewing emerging developments at various levels, and approving joint Arab plans to implement agreed-upon policies.
Conclusion: Saudi leadership and an Arab vision
The Kingdom’s chairmanship of this session reflects its leading position in the field of cybersecurity and confirms its commitment to strengthening joint Arab action, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 , which seeks to make the Kingdom a global model in digital transformation and cybersecurity protection, while supporting the security and stability of the Arab region.
