Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Bolstering Sustainable Regional, Int’l Ties

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan meets with the President of Uzbekistan. (SPA)
Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan meets with the President of Uzbekistan. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Importance of Bolstering Sustainable Regional, Int’l Ties

Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan meets with the President of Uzbekistan. (SPA)
Saudi FM Prince Faisal bin Farhan meets with the President of Uzbekistan. (SPA)

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev received in Tashkent on Friday Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan for talks on bolstering cooperation between their countries.

Prince Faisal was in Uzbekistan to attend the two-day “International Conference on Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity, Challenges and Opportunities.”

He relayed to Mirziyoyev the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

They tackled the importance of bolstering investments as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 that offers numerous promising opportunities, especially in technology, innovation and renewable energy. They also discussed bilateral relations and regional and international developments.

Also on Friday, Prince Faisal met with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the conference. They discussed the latest regional and international developments, along with bilateral relations and ways to boost them to serve common interests.

Prince Faisal later met with his Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz Kamilov for talks on cooperation and investment opportunities.

Prince Faisal headed the Saudi delegation at the conference. During an address to the attendees, he stressed the historic and advanced relations between the countries of central and southern Asia. He also hailed the regional partnerships between Saudi Arabia and the region, especially in renewable energy.

He stated that Saudi Arabia believes in the importance of bolstering regional cohesion and developing sustainable international ties through profitable partnerships.

Moreover, he said the Kingdom was working on increasing investment in transportation and logistics services infrastructure as part of Vision 2030. He cited Riyadh’s support to the trans-Asian railway that spans 12,500 kilometers across 28 countries.

He added that technological infrastructure and cybersecurity were pivotal elements that help increase regional cooperation. He noted that the Kingdom, along with six other countries, had launched a digital cooperation organization aimed at bolstering cooperation and accelerating development in digital economies.

The Kingdom is constantly working with its partners to boost the suitable environment to increase international trade partnerships, including freedom of marine navigation, peace and political stability, Prince Faisal continued.

On Afghanistan, he said Riyadh supports all efforts that lead to dialogue, reconciliation, agreement and stability there. It also supports all international efforts to combat terrorism and extremism.



Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council Holds 1st Meeting, Riyadh Designated as Permanent HQ

Officials responsible for cybersecurity in the Arab League member states who attended the meeting in Riyadh. SPA
Officials responsible for cybersecurity in the Arab League member states who attended the meeting in Riyadh. SPA
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Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council Holds 1st Meeting, Riyadh Designated as Permanent HQ

Officials responsible for cybersecurity in the Arab League member states who attended the meeting in Riyadh. SPA
Officials responsible for cybersecurity in the Arab League member states who attended the meeting in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Arabia has signed a headquarters agreement with the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, under which the council will designate the city of Riyadh as its permanent headquarters.

The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the first regular session of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, which was held on Monday in the Saudi capital, also includes the council’s affiliated bodies, including the general secretariat and the executive office.

Saudi Arabia, represented by the Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed, chaired the first regular session of the council.

The session was attended by officials responsible for cybersecurity in the Arab League member states and the Secretary-General of the organization, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

In his opening statement, Al-Mazyed affirmed that the Kingdom's initiative to propose the establishment of the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council stems from its firm and fundamental principle of preserving Arab collective security.

The council was established based on a proposal put forward by Saudi Arabia to comprise Arab ministers responsible for cyber security affairs. It falls within the scope of the Arab League and operates under the umbrella of the league’s council. The council’s tasks include formulating general policies, developing strategies, and setting priorities to enhance joint Arab cybersecurity work.
The council also addresses all cybersecurity issues and developments related to security, economic, developmental, and legislative aspects. It is responsible for approving joint Arab cybersecurity plans for implementing the endorsed policies and strategies.

The Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers also approved Monday the appointment of Dr. Ibrahim bin Saleh Al-Furaih as the council's secretary-general for a five-year term.