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)
TT

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.



UK Inflation Falls to 3.0% in January

Pedestrians cross Westminster Bridge in front of Parliament during the early morning hours in London, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Pedestrians cross Westminster Bridge in front of Parliament during the early morning hours in London, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
TT

UK Inflation Falls to 3.0% in January

Pedestrians cross Westminster Bridge in front of Parliament during the early morning hours in London, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Pedestrians cross Westminster Bridge in front of Parliament during the early morning hours in London, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Britain's annual ‌rate of consumer price inflation fell to 3.0% in January from 3.4% in December, official figures showed on Wednesday.

A Reuters poll of economists had shown a median forecast of 3.0% in January and the Bank of England projected earlier this month that the headline measure of inflation would slow to ‌2.9%.

British inflation ‌has run higher than in ‌the ⁠United States and in ⁠the euro zone where it stood at 2.4% and 1.7% respectively in January.

But the BoE expects the pace of price rises to slow sharply to almost its 2% target in ⁠April as last year's rises ‌in utility costs and ‌other government-controlled tariffs fall out of ‌the annual comparison.

Investors expect the central bank ‌to cut its benchmark interest rate to 3.5% at its next meeting in March after a tight vote to keep borrowing costs ‌on hold in February although some policymakers remain worried about underlying ⁠inflation ⁠pressure.

Financial markets on Tuesday also priced a second quarter-point interest rate cut by the BoE by the end of in 2026.

ONS data last week painted a downbeat picture of Britain's economy at the end of 2025 with output barely growing. Figures released on Tuesday showed the labor market was still losing jobs although there were some signs of a stabilization.


Riyadh to Host Middle East’s Largest General Aviation Airshow in November 

The AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026 will be held in Riyadh from November 24 to 28. (SPA)
The AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026 will be held in Riyadh from November 24 to 28. (SPA)
TT

Riyadh to Host Middle East’s Largest General Aviation Airshow in November 

The AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026 will be held in Riyadh from November 24 to 28. (SPA)
The AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026 will be held in Riyadh from November 24 to 28. (SPA)

The Saudi Aviation Club announced that it will organize the AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026 in Riyadh from November 24 to 28, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The event is set to be the largest of its kind for general aviation in the Middle East, combining international business, investment, and innovation with live flying displays and interactive public experiences. It is being held in partnership with Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia.

Held at Thumamah Airport, the exhibition will bring together leading global companies operating in the general aviation industry, including aircraft and components manufacturers, avionics and navigation systems providers, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies, offering an integrated platform that covers the full value chain of the sector.

The event will also spotlight startups in advanced air mobility (AAM) and innovators of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, showcasing technologies and business models shaping the future of aviation.

General Supervisor of the Saudi Aviation Club Dr. Ahmed Alfahaid stated that AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026 represents a qualitative leap for the Kingdom’s aviation sector and reinforces its positioning as a global hub for general aviation and advanced air mobility.

The partnership with Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia goes beyond presenting global innovations to providing a vital platform for international investment and strategic collaboration, he stressed.

Moreover, the event contributes to achieving Saudi Vision 2030 objectives, including the Kingdom’s ambition to rank among the world’s top 10 general aviation markets, he added.


Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Agree to Establish Coordination Council

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan Agree to Establish Coordination Council

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz receives Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan agreed to establish a Saudi-Kazakh Coordination Council, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz received in Riyadh Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev. Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Yerlan Akkenzhenov also attended the meeting.

The talks tackled the establishment of the coordination council, which will be chaired by the Saudi minister of energy and Kazakhstan’s foreign minister. The council reflects the two countries’ commitment to strengthening cooperation and expanding their bilateral partnership.

Prince Abdulaziz and Kosherbayev signed an agreement on the establishment of the council, which aims to boost coordination and consultation between the two countries and develop frameworks for cooperation across various sectors of mutual interest, elevating bilateral relations to broader levels.

Prince Abdulaziz and Kosherbayev discussed relations between their countries and ways to develop them further, especially in the energy field. They tackled opportunities for cooperation and investment in renewable energy and energy storage systems and discussed oil market developments.