The United Nations has selected Riyadh as the headquarters of the first cybersecurity-focused office of its training and research arm, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in the sector and the success of its cybersecurity model at the national, regional and international levels.
The office will spearhead initiatives and projects focused on capacity building, policy development, and joint research and development programs, helping to strengthen the skills of a broad range of beneficiaries and specialists while advancing cybersecurity globally.
Its objectives align with the Global Initiative for Building Cyber Capacities, launched by Saudi Arabia in partnership with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, particularly through research and development programs, training courses and workshops aimed at enhancing the capabilities of policymakers, law enforcement officials, diplomats and cybersecurity professionals worldwide.
Musaed Al Aiban, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Chairman of the NCA Board of Directors, praised the support the sector receives from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.
He said the selection reflects the leadership’s continued commitment to promoting international cooperation and joint action in cybersecurity.
Al Aiban added that the decision underscores Saudi Arabia’s leading position in the strategic sector and the achievements of its cybersecurity model since the establishment of the NCA as the country’s competent authority and national reference body for cybersecurity. He also highlighted the creation of the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE) as the authority’s strategic and technical partner in developing the sector.
Saudi Arabia has established a strong track record in supporting strategic cybersecurity initiatives, further cementing its standing as a preferred destination for international organizations and institutions, Al Aiban underlined. He added that the Kingdom has long championed international initiatives aimed at enhancing the stability of cyberspace, contributing to societal prosperity, economic growth and human well-being worldwide.
For his part, Majed Al Mazyed, Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, said the UN’s decision further reflects Saudi Arabia’s internationally recognized leadership in cybersecurity, as evidenced by a range of global benchmarks.
He noted that Saudi Arabia retained its position as the world’s top-ranked country in cybersecurity for a second consecutive year in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025. He also pointed to the Kingdom’s designation by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN agency for information and communication technologies, as a “Role Model” in the highest tier of the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024.
Michelle McDonough, Executive Director of UNITAR, said the launch of the institute’s first cybersecurity office and the choice of Riyadh as its headquarters underscore Saudi Arabia’s leadership and its pivotal role in advancing international cybersecurity efforts.
She added that the office will work with partners to address cybersecurity capacity gaps globally and help transform shared risks into shared resilience by connecting institutions and organizations across regions.
Saudi Arabia already hosts several regional and international cybersecurity bodies, including the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council, the Global Cybersecurity Forum Foundation, and the Cyber Economics Center, established through a partnership between the foundation and the World Economic Forum.
