UAE takes part in GCC Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee meeting in Riyadh

RIYADH, 24th October, 2022 (WAM) – Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, participated in the first meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee, which was held yesterday at the headquarters of the GCC Secretariat General in Riyadh.

During the meeting, which was hosted by Saudi Arabia, the ministerial committee discussed work papers presented by GCC countries, which aim at enhancing cooperation in cybersecurity fields at the GCC level through several initiatives concerned with developing the cybersecurity sector.

In his speech before the meeting, Dr. Al Kuwaiti highlighted the significance of this meeting, which represents a new start to enhance Gulf and regional cooperation and integration and support national efforts in the field of cybersecurity in light of the rapid technological developments and geopolitical challenges the world is witnessing nowadays.

Dr. Al Kuwaiti put forward some proposals and initiatives that could promote joint Gulf action in cybersecurity; including establishing a cybersecurity centre for the GCC countries, providing a clear vision for identifying cyber threats, supporting opportunities to adopt a multi-level methodology to respond to cyber challenges, and enhancing the benefit of GCC countries from the development of the innovative digital business environment.

Heads of cybersecurity institutions also discussed several issues of mutual interest in cybersecurity, including implementing joint cybersecurity exercises in GCC countries to enhance the exchange of cybersecurity information and expertise and contribute to developing the cybersecurity sector.

The GCC Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity’s first meeting in Riyadh was chaired by NCA’s Majed bin Mohammad Al-Mazyed, and was attended by a number of the GCC senior officials.

The meeting discussed topics related to the common aspects of cooperation between the GCC states in cybersecurity, including developing frameworks, policies, and joint procedures to address cyber threats.

It also discussed aligning efforts among the GCC states in various sectors, raising the level of international cooperation with countries and relevant organisations, and promoting and developing the cybersecurity industry in the GCC countries.

It sought to exchange knowledge, experiences, and studies related to cybersecurity to create a safe cyberspace environment to protect the GCC countries from cyber threats.

During this meeting, the first Gulf cybersecurity exercise was launched to enhance communication and information sharing among the GCC states.

It saw exchange of experiences between national cadres specialised in cybersecurity, raising the level of cyber readiness to confront cyber threats and finding innovative solutions to meet cyber challenges and threats.