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.



Aramco, Rongsheng Petrochemical Sign Framework Agreement to Advance SASREF Expansion

Aramco, Rongsheng Petrochemical Sign Framework Agreement to Advance SASREF Expansion
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Aramco, Rongsheng Petrochemical Sign Framework Agreement to Advance SASREF Expansion

Aramco, Rongsheng Petrochemical Sign Framework Agreement to Advance SASREF Expansion

Saudi Aramco, one of the world's leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, Aramco affiliate Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Company (SASREF), and an affiliate of Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (Rongsheng Petrochemical) signed a Development Framework Agreement in Beijing, China, that paves the way for an expansion project at SASREF in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

The tripartite agreement outlines the cooperation mechanism and planning for the project's design and development. The project aims to expand SASREF's refining and petrochemical capabilities while fostering international collaboration, said Aramco in a statement on Tuesday.

Aramco Downstream President Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani said: "By aligning our efforts, Aramco and Rongsheng Petrochemical aim to deliver additional value to our stakeholders. This Development Framework Agreement underscores Aramco's intentions to foster closer collaboration with key partners and progress its strategic downstream expansion, both in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and internationally. It also highlights the potential of the Kingdom's downstream sector to attract overseas players."

Rongsheng Petrochemical Chairman Li Shuirong said: "The signing of the Development Framework Agreement sets the stage for Rongsheng Petrochemical's in-depth participation in the SASREF expansion project."

"Saudi Arabia has abundant energy resources and significant market potential, and Rongsheng Petrochemical will bring strong momentum to the partnership through our excellent operation and management capabilities and market competitiveness," he added

"This collaborative project not only has important strategic value for the future development of both companies but will also make contributions to China's Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030," he stressed.

In April, Aramco and Rongsheng Petrochemical signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement relating to the planned formation of a joint venture in SASREF and significant investments in the Saudi and Chinese petrochemical sectors. Preliminary documentation relating to the Development Framework Agreement was signed in September.

The SASREF expansion project is located in Jubail Industrial City, which is along the Arabian Gulf coast in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. The city has a well-developed infrastructure and strategic geographical advantages.

The project, which is currently in the PREFEED stage, envisages the construction of large-scale steam crackers and the integration of associated downstream derivatives into the existing SASREF complex, enhancing its ability to meet the growing demand for high-quality petrochemical products.