Riyadh, December 24, 2024 — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed, chaired the inaugural regular session of the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council in Riyadh, which began on Monday. The session brought together key officials responsible for cybersecurity across the Arab League member states, underscoring the growing importance of regional cooperation in the digital security landscape. Also present was the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, highlighting the critical role of cybersecurity in regional and global stability.
Eng. Al-Mazyed opened the session with a significant speech that underscored the Kingdom's leading role in initiating the establishment of the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council. He emphasized that the Kingdom’s proposal was driven by a fundamental principle — to protect Arab collective security in the face of rising digital threats. The council, he explained, is a vital step toward bolstering cooperation between Arab nations and coordinating efforts to safeguard critical infrastructure, protect digital resources, and secure national interests against cyber threats. In particular, he highlighted that the support from Arab leaders for the council’s creation reflects the recognition of cybersecurity's integral role in development, prosperity, and stability across the region. Furthermore, cybersecurity’s vital contribution to ensuring international peace and security was emphasized as a shared objective for Arab nations.
Al-Mazyed also expressed profound gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, for their unwavering support and wise leadership. Their guidance, he noted, had been instrumental in the establishment of the council and in fortifying the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing Arab cooperation and preserving regional security in the face of evolving threats.
The session also featured remarks from Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League, who stressed the growing importance of Arab unity in addressing the mounting cybersecurity challenges facing the world today. Aboul Gheit pointed out that the global cyber threat landscape is evolving rapidly, with new risks emerging across political, economic, and social spheres. Against this backdrop, he noted that a unified Arab approach to cybersecurity was critical. Joint efforts, he argued, would help build a resilient and responsive security framework capable of addressing these complex challenges. He also expressed confidence that the newly established Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council would serve as a strategic addition to the Arab national security system, reinforcing the region’s ability to safeguard its digital infrastructure.
Aboul Gheit extended his sincere appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its pioneering role in launching the council, acknowledging the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity collaboration at the Arab level. This initiative, he remarked, was timely and essential, considering the rapid evolution of cyber threats that transcend national borders and require a collective response.
As the council convened, several key decisions were made. Notably, the members agreed to begin work on developing a comprehensive Arab Cybersecurity Strategy, which will serve as a framework for collaboration, policy-making, and operational response across the region. The council also approved the appointment of the Secretary-General and members of the Executive Office of the council, ensuring strong leadership and efficient decision-making in future endeavors. Another major decision was the organization of joint cybersecurity exercises to enhance coordination and preparedness among member states, reinforcing the region's collective ability to respond to cyber incidents.
Additionally, the council adopted a formal structure and set out its operational work mechanisms, laying the foundation for streamlined communication and collaboration between Arab nations on cybersecurity issues. The session also involved discussions on the latest developments in cybersecurity at the security, economic, and developmental levels, with an emphasis on identifying new areas for cooperation with international organizations and other key stakeholders involved in the cybersecurity domain.
In particular, the council explored how to strengthen partnerships with global cybersecurity organizations, ensuring that Arab countries remain engaged with international efforts to combat cyber threats, share best practices, and stay abreast of emerging technologies and risks. This focus on international collaboration is vital to enhancing the overall cybersecurity posture of the Arab world, and to ensuring that Arab nations are not only safeguarding their own interests but also contributing to global efforts in combating cybercrime, terrorism, and state-sponsored attacks.
The inaugural session of the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council thus marks a historic step in enhancing regional cooperation in cybersecurity. With its strong emphasis on strategic planning, capacity-building, and international collaboration, the council is poised to play a central role in safeguarding the digital future of the Arab world, ensuring the security and resilience of the region’s vital digital infrastructure and resources.
