GCC Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee Holds First Meeting in Riyadh

The GCC Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee holds its first meeting at the headquarters of the GCC Secretariat General in Riyadh. (SPA)
The GCC Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee holds its first meeting at the headquarters of the GCC Secretariat General in Riyadh. (SPA)
TT

GCC Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee Holds First Meeting in Riyadh

The GCC Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee holds its first meeting at the headquarters of the GCC Secretariat General in Riyadh. (SPA)
The GCC Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee holds its first meeting at the headquarters of the GCC Secretariat General in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee held its first meeting at the headquarters of the GCC Secretariat General in Riyadh.

The meeting was attended by the heads of specialized institutions in cybersecurity in GCC countries and GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf. Saudi Arabia was represented by the National Cybersecurity Authority.

The gatherers discussed work papers presented by GCC countries, which aim at boosting cooperation in cybersecurity fields at the Gulf level through several initiatives concerned with developing the cybersecurity sector.

Heads of institutions discussed several issues of mutual interest in the cybersecurity field, including implementing joint cybersecurity exercises in GCC countries to bolster the exchange of information and expertise and contribute to developing the sector.



Germany Says Aims to be World Leader in Quantum Technologies

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)
TT

Germany Says Aims to be World Leader in Quantum Technologies

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stands next to a Quantum system during the inauguration of IBM's quantum data center at the IBM Campus in Ehningen, southern Germany, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by SILAS STEIN / AFP)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to support the development of quantum technologies, saying at the opening of an IBM data center on Tuesday that investment in the sector was crucial for the future of Europe's biggest economy.

"Our goal is clear: to be global leader in quantum technologies," said Scholz, adding Germany had invested 2 billion euros ($2.22 billion) on quantum technology since 2020.

"This is the basis of our economic success and prosperity," he said at the opening of IBM's Quantum European Data Center in Ehningen, a roughly 290-million-euro investment. The center will allow users in Europe and elsewhere to access services for cloud-based quantum computing research, Reuters reported.

Quantum computers could operate millions of times faster than advanced supercomputers. So far, the United States and China have led the technology.

Other projects in Germany include the joint development of quantum processors by Infineon and eleQtron GmbH.
Scholz said Germany was focused on semiconductors, AI, pharmaceuticals and bio- and climate technologies.
"These are the areas we need to lead," said Scholz.