NEW YORK — Saudi Arabia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil, emphasized the critical need for a secure and reliable cyberspace that fuels growth and prosperity. His remarks came during a UN Security Council debate on evolving cyberspace threats. Alwasil underscored the importance of prioritizing global cybersecurity efforts, highlighting that robust cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding nations' vital interests and national security. Alwasil advocated for strengthened international cooperation in cybersecurity and urged combined efforts to mitigate cyber risks. He stressed the need for the international community to adopt a serious and practical approach to unifying global efforts against cyberspace threats through relevant UN committees and specialized bodies. Alwasil highlighted the significant progress achieved in Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector, aligning with Vision 2030 goals. He pointed out that the Kingdom has embarked on a transformative journey to develop the "Saudi model" in cybersecurity based on centralized governance and decentralized operability. Detailing the Kingdom's accomplishments, Alwasil noted that Saudi Arabia has achieved 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. Additionally, Saudi Arabia 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. Alwasil also mentioned the establishment of the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) and the GCF Institute, headquartered in Riyadh, dedicated to bolstering cybersecurity internationally. He emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering regional cooperation in enhancing cybersecurity, 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.
