Riyadh Gathers Int’l Cybersecurity Experts in Global Forum

Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh Gathers Int’l Cybersecurity Experts in Global Forum

Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)

An international gathering on cybersecurity opened in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Wednesday, bringing together representatives of global bodies and firms from some 120 countries.

The event, sponsored by Saudi king Salman bin Abdulaziz, was inaugurated by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Riyadh, for its third edition, under the theme of “Charting Shared Priorities in Cyberspace.”

Prince Faisal emphasized the rapid evolution in the field of cybersecurity in today’s world, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cooperation and collaborative efforts to address it.

He stressed the importance of leveraging the expertise of international participants, including decision-makers and specialists from around the globe, to yield valuable insights and share international experiences related to critical and strategic cyber matters.

The ultimate goal is to create a secure and trusted cyberspace that fosters progress, innovation, growth, and prosperity for all nations.

Addressing the gathering, Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity chief Majed Al-Mazyad said the event represents a platform for global bodies to come together in a bid to boost cybersecurity cooperation, which in turn, proves beneficial for the international community as a whole.

It is noteworthy that the two-day forum is being organized by the National Cybersecurity Authority and the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE).

It also features over 150 international speakers.

Eminent decision-makers, CEOs of international organizations related to the field, representing various government and academic sectors, as well as leading global companies from over 120 countries, are in attendance.

The convening of this forum reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in the field of cybersecurity, given the achievements of its pioneering experience at the local, regional, and international levels.

The Saudi model in cybersecurity has become a successful and internationally recognized benchmark.

The Global Cybersecurity Forum is a global platform that caters to decision-makers, experts, and professionals involved in critical and strategic cybersecurity issues.

It aims to provide an expansive opportunity for knowledge transfer, expertise exchange, and collaboration exploration on strategic cybersecurity topics.

The Forum will map shared priorities in cyberspace through discussions and sessions on strategic topics related to cybersecurity, focusing on five sub-themes: Cyberspace amidst polycrisis, Cyber growth unlocked, Across cyber divides, Inside cyber minds, and emerging cyber horizons.



SAMA Governor: Saudi Arabia Plays Key Role in Supporting Global Economic Recovery

G20 leaders meet in Brazil. (Reuters)
G20 leaders meet in Brazil. (Reuters)
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SAMA Governor: Saudi Arabia Plays Key Role in Supporting Global Economic Recovery

G20 leaders meet in Brazil. (Reuters)
G20 leaders meet in Brazil. (Reuters)

Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Governor Ayman Al-Sayari emphasized the Kingdom’s pivotal role in sustaining global economic recovery and maintaining financial stability. He also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s active participation in addressing key issues during Brazil’s presidency of the G20 Summit.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Al-Sayari affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving the summit’s goals and strengthening multilateral cooperation to tackle challenges such as slow growth and rising global debt levels.

Al-Sayari noted that Saudi Arabia’s participation in the G20 reflects its efforts to promote its own interests while contributing to global economic stability, particularly for regional economies. As the only Arab member of the group, Saudi Arabia seeks to leverage its position to enhance global financial resilience.

He recalled the Kingdom’s leadership of the G20 in 2020, during which it prioritized measures to accelerate global economic recovery, foster financial inclusion, ensure financial stability, and assist low-income countries in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key issues currently under discussion include the slow global economic growth, high inflation rates, rising global debt, and disparities in economic policies among nations.

Al-Sayari highlighted the importance of the G20’s Common Framework for Debt Treatments, a key initiative launched during Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the group. The framework aims to alleviate the debt burden of the world’s most vulnerable countries, a concern that has grown more pressing as sovereign debt levels reach unprecedented heights.

The governor underscored the alignment between the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the G20’s goals, particularly in fostering financial stability and sustainable development. This includes initiatives to develop financial markets, mitigate risks, adopt global best practices, and ensure the financial sector’s stability while expanding its services and products to support the transition to a sustainable economy.

Moreover, Al-Sayari pointed out ongoing efforts to enhance the fintech sector through updated regulatory frameworks and improved guidelines. The Kingdom also aims to increase financial inclusion and awareness by providing individuals and businesses with access to licensed financial services, ensuring consumer protection, and promoting fairness and transparency in financial transactions.