Gulf Officials Hail Saudi Crown Prince’s Interview

Interview of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Interview of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
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Gulf Officials Hail Saudi Crown Prince’s Interview

Interview of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)
Interview of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (SPA)

Gulf countries and officials praised Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's 90-minute TV interview, aired on Tuesday, which addressed several political and economic aspects.

In his interview, marking the fifth anniversary of Vision 2030, he indicated how the Kingdom managed to achieve “all the numbers that we thought were huge and unachievable."

"We did manage to break a part of them in 2020 and we shall break even more numbers in 2025 which means that we shall achieve even higher numbers in 2030,” he noted.

The interview also addressed a number of local, regional, and international issues, including the relations with the US and Iran. It further discussed the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which will raise its goal for 2030 from $1.06 trillion to $2.6 trillion, after it achieved significant growth over the past years.

The Crown Prince said PIF is spending "more than the capital is spending for the state budget, meaning that the Public Investment Fund motivates the economy of Saudi more than the budget."

Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa praised the remarks made by the Saudi Crown Prince, saying they “bear great significance and meanings of moderation, determination, and accomplishment.”

He said that the Saudi Crown Prince emphasized the important and prominent role of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz in protecting the security and stability of the Middle East region.

According to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), Prince Salman Al Khalifa, who is also the Prime Minister, expressed deep appreciation for the honest and clear interview Prince Mohammed delivered to the world.

The Bahraini Crown Prince said that Prince Mohammed gave a transparent brief on the future political and economic trends of the Kingdom in light of Vision 2030, and his assertion that Saudi Arabia will remain a reliable partner in energy supplies and protection of international trade.

He affirmed that Manama continues to move forward in consolidating its historical relations with Riyadh at all levels.

Bahrain will continue to develop paths of solid cooperation through the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council with its ambitious vision to enhance coordination of economic policies and joint projects for the good of the two kingdoms.

For his part, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said that the televised interview of the Crown Prince has set out a promising vision for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, inspired by its rich history.

“The leadership continues to steer its country and people towards a bright future,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.

In Kuwait, the Foreign Ministry praised the interview of Prince Mohammed which addressed the importance of states' commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, especially in respecting state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

The Ministry affirmed in a statement that the Vision reflected by the Saudi Crown Prince regarding regional issues reflects the Kingdom's role and its keenness to consolidate regional and international bonds of security and stability.



Global Cybersecurity Forum 2024 Kicks Off in Riyadh

The Saudi Crown Prince announced the launch of the "Global Security Forum to Protect Children in Cyberspace" during his welcoming speech to the forum's guests. (SPA)
The Saudi Crown Prince announced the launch of the "Global Security Forum to Protect Children in Cyberspace" during his welcoming speech to the forum's guests. (SPA)
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Global Cybersecurity Forum 2024 Kicks Off in Riyadh

The Saudi Crown Prince announced the launch of the "Global Security Forum to Protect Children in Cyberspace" during his welcoming speech to the forum's guests. (SPA)
The Saudi Crown Prince announced the launch of the "Global Security Forum to Protect Children in Cyberspace" during his welcoming speech to the forum's guests. (SPA)

The fourth Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) 2024 began in Riyadh on Wednesday. It is organized by Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority, in partnership with the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE).
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed participants on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The two-day event, themed “Advancing Collective Action in Cyberspace,” has drawn leaders, policymakers, and experts from over 120 countries.
In a message read at the opening ceremony in Riyadh, the Crown Prince stated: “Cyberspace is closely linked to the growth of economies, the prosperity of societies, the security of individuals, and the stability of nations.”
According to SPA, he noted that due to the cross-border nature of cyberspace, it is essential to harmonize international efforts to seize the opportunities and “face the challenges it presents, by investing in people.”
Welcoming the participants, the Crown Prince said: “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been a force for good for the benefit of humanity and human prosperity around the world.”
“It has continuously worked to uphold the principle of cooperation and strengthen international collaboration toward efforts that support development and prosperity for all nations. It has initiated several initiatives aimed at achieving these genuine goals in all sectors,” he noted.
“Believing in the importance of investing in people in this vital and promising domain, in 2020 we launched two global initiatives. The first relates to protecting children in cyberspace, and the second focuses on empowering women in the field of cybersecurity,” he added.
“The institute for the Global Cybersecurity Forum is entrusted with overseeing both initiatives, as well as implementing the associated projects,” affirmed the Crown Prince.
He highlighted the progress made by these initiatives, particularly the increased understanding of needs at the global level that has led to new and inspiring visions, enabling the GCF to develop impactful initiatives and programs, publish research and studies, and formulate new frameworks and strategies.
These efforts empower decision-makers worldwide to develop policies and programs that enhance child protection in cyberspace and promote women’s participation in the field of cybersecurity.
The first day of GCF 2024 featured discussions on five main topics: closing cybersecurity gaps, online behavior, the social structure of cyberspace, a thriving cyber economy, and new cyber opportunities.
Key officials, decision-makers, and experts from governments, academia, and global companies took part in the sessions.
The forum is a global platform that brings together leaders from governments, cybersecurity, academia, and NGOs. Its goal is to strengthen international cybersecurity, support economic and social development, and align global efforts in the field.