Riyadh, October 2, 2024 – Under the esteemed patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and on his behalf, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, inaugurated the fourth edition of the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) today. The event, themed "Advancing Collective Action in Cyberspace," is organized by the National Cybersecurity Authority in collaboration with the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE). This two-day forum brings together decision-makers, CEOs, and representatives from various governmental, academic, and leading global companies, hailing from 120 countries.
Upon his arrival, the deputy governor was warmly received by the Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, Eng. Majed Al-Mazyed. In his opening remarks, Prince Mohammed conveyed highlights from the welcome address of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. A key announcement made by the Crown Prince was the launch of the Child Protection in Cyberspace (CPC) Global Summit—the first initiative of its kind, aimed at uniting international efforts to confront digital threats to children and enhance global responses. This underscores Saudi Arabia's ongoing commitment to advancing human welfare and prosperity.
In his speech, Prince Mohammed emphasized the urgency of fostering strengthened international collaboration to ensure a safe and reliable cyberspace. He expressed confidence that the forum’s expert participants and their discussions would meet global aspirations for this critical and fast-evolving sector.
Governor Eng. Majed Al-Mazyed also addressed attendees, commending the profound insights shared by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He emphasized the strong link between cybersecurity and economic growth, societal prosperity, individual security, and national stability. Eng. Al-Mazyed highlighted the increasing importance of global cooperation to seize opportunities and address challenges in cyberspace, primarily through investments in human capital.
He further underscored the Kingdom’s role in building internationally oriented platforms and launching pioneering initiatives in cybersecurity. One such initiative was the establishment of the Global Cybersecurity Forum Foundation in 2023, created by Royal Order to promote knowledge-sharing, foster international cooperation, and leverage the vast opportunities presented by the cybersecurity sector to stimulate development and drive global prosperity.
The Global Cybersecurity Forum is also hosting the first-ever Global Summit on Child Protection in Cyberspace, a collaborative effort involving the National Cybersecurity Authority, the Global Cybersecurity Forum Foundation, and partners such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNICEF, and various stakeholders from the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and international academic institutions. This summit aligns with the Crown Prince’s broader Global Child Protection in Cyberspace initiative, aiming to raise awareness among global decision-makers about the growing digital threats to children.
As the forum builds on the foundations of its previous editions, it continues to bring together high-level international officials to discuss and shape the future of global cybersecurity. The event’s discussions, presentations, and collaborations reflect Saudi Arabia’s dedication to advancing the cybersecurity agenda on the global stage.
