Riyadh, Singapore to Cooperate in Cybersecurity, AI

Singaporean Law Minister Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam (PHOTO CREDIT: Saad Al-Dosari)
Singaporean Law Minister Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam (PHOTO CREDIT: Saad Al-Dosari)
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Riyadh, Singapore to Cooperate in Cybersecurity, AI

Singaporean Law Minister Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam (PHOTO CREDIT: Saad Al-Dosari)
Singaporean Law Minister Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam (PHOTO CREDIT: Saad Al-Dosari)

Singapore’s Law Minister Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam has stressed the close cooperation between his country and Saudi Arabia in several areas, including cyber security, information security and information technology.

Shanmugam further revealed that there are ongoing efforts to broker a new cooperation deal between Singapore and the Kingdom. He also mentioned a joint plan that targets improving the existing cooperation between the two countries.

“My discussions in Riyadh focused on counter-terrorism, cyber security, and areas of cooperation where we share information. General intelligence departments in the two countries share good cooperation. We are close and we want to work more closely together,” Shanmugam told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The minister also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has made great achievements in the field of combating terrorism.

“We do not forget that Saudi Arabia has been the target of terrorist attacks for a long time, yet it was able to enhance security and reduce crime to its lowest levels,” said Shanmugam.

“Saudi Arabia is found to be one of the most secure countries in addition to its success in dealing with various issues in the region,” he affirmed.

On his impression of the transformation in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Shanmugam said: “Five years have passed since the last time I came to Riyadh in November 2017, I find the changes very wonderful and amazing. Vision 2030 is to create a modern state that is economically successful.”

As for collaboration in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence, and digitalization, Shanmugam asserted that it is crucial for the modern economy.

“Talking about the relationship and cooperation between Singapore and Saudi Arabia, it is imperative to consider that the important resources that the Saudi Vision 2030 possesses are not only oil,” said Shanmugam.

“If you look at the geographical location of Saudi Arabia with its coasts and other resources, it becomes apparent that logistics will become an important sector,” he added.

“The ports, airports, shipping, supply chain, internet and everything related to information technology will be very important, because of the high degree of digitization, which will be necessary for the modern economy,” noted the minister.



GCC Reaffirms Support for Kuwait on Khor Abdullah Dispute

A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)
A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)
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GCC Reaffirms Support for Kuwait on Khor Abdullah Dispute

A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)
A glimpse of the GCC Ministerial Council's extraordinary meeting via video conference on Tuesday (GCC)

Gulf Arab states on Tuesday voiced their full support for Kuwait’s position in a maritime border dispute with Iraq, stressing the need for positive progress in demarcation talks and for Baghdad to respect Kuwaiti sovereignty.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi said the bloc’s 47th extraordinary ministerial meeting was held in Riyadh under the chairmanship of Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, whose country holds the rotating presidency.

The ministers discussed developments concerning the demarcation of the maritime boundary between Kuwait and Iraq beyond border marker 162.

Albudaiwi said Kuwait's foreign minister briefed his counterparts on the latest developments with Iraq and the outcomes of recent discussions on the issue.

In a joint statement, GCC foreign ministers expressed “the full and unwavering support of member states for Kuwait’s position on the maritime boundary demarcation with Iraq.”

They also called for “positive progress in the ongoing talks and a firm commitment to all protocols agreed by the joint technical and legal committee” on the demarcation process beyond marker 162.

Albudaiwi added that the GCC ministers reaffirmed their categorical rejection of any infringement on Kuwait’s sovereignty, including over its territory, islands, highlands, and maritime zones.

GCC ministers also reiterated their firm stance on the ownership of the Durra gas field, reaffirming commitment to previous decisions made during the GCC’s 45th summit in December 2024.

The council emphasized that the entire Durra field lies within Kuwait’s maritime territory, underscoring that the natural resources in the submerged area adjacent to the divided zone shared between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia – including the Durra field – are jointly owned by the two countries.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia hold exclusive rights to exploit these resources, in accordance with international law and existing agreements between the two nations.

The GCC’s statement further stressed its resolute rejection of any claims by other parties to rights over the Durra field or the submerged area bordering the Kuwait-Saudi divided zone.