Saudi Arabia Highlights Cybersecurity Achievements, Urges Global Collaboration at UN Debate

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Highlights Cybersecurity Achievements, Urges Global Collaboration at UN Debate

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil emphasized the critical need for a secure and reliable cyberspace that fuels growth and prosperity.

Speaking at a day-long UN Security Council debate on evolving cyberspace threats, Alwasil underscored the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity efforts globally, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

He stressed that robust cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding nations' vital interests and national security.

Alwasil advocated for strengthened international cooperation in cybersecurity and urged combined efforts to mitigate cyber risks. He stressed the need for the international community to adopt a serious and practical approach to unifying global efforts against cyberspace threats through relevant UN committees and specialized bodies.

Moreover, he highlighted the significant and rapid progress achieved in Saudi Arabia's cybersecurity sector, which aligns with the goals outlined in Vision 2030.

The Kingdom has embarked on a transformative journey to develop the "Saudi model" in cybersecurity based on centralized governance and decentralized operability, he went on to say.

Alwasil detailed the Kingdom's accomplishments in cybersecurity, including achieving a global ranking of second, and first in the Arab world, the Middle East, and Asia according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Global Cybersecurity Index.

The Kingdom has also secured second place globally in 2022 and 2023 in the World Competitiveness Yearbook's cybersecurity indicator, published by the Swiss-based Institute for Management Development (IMD). This year, Saudi Arabia solidified its global leadership in cybersecurity by claiming the top spot in the World Competitiveness Yearbook.

Alwasil said the Kingdom's establishment of the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), a Riyadh-based organization dedicated to bolstering cybersecurity on an international scale.

Alwasil emphasized Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering regional cooperation in boosting cybersecurity. This commitment is exemplified by the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee and the League of Arab States (LAS) Arab Cybersecurity Ministerial Council, both spearheaded by Saudi Arabia.



India to Offer $4-$5 Bln in Incentives for Electronics Production, Weaning Off China

A social media influencer uses a phone on the day of the unveiling of Hyundai IONIQ 9, a three-row electric SUV during a Hyundai event in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, California, US, November 20, 2024. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
A social media influencer uses a phone on the day of the unveiling of Hyundai IONIQ 9, a three-row electric SUV during a Hyundai event in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, California, US, November 20, 2024. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
TT

India to Offer $4-$5 Bln in Incentives for Electronics Production, Weaning Off China

A social media influencer uses a phone on the day of the unveiling of Hyundai IONIQ 9, a three-row electric SUV during a Hyundai event in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, California, US, November 20, 2024. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
A social media influencer uses a phone on the day of the unveiling of Hyundai IONIQ 9, a three-row electric SUV during a Hyundai event in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, California, US, November 20, 2024. REUTERS/Daniel Cole

India will offer up to $5 billion in incentives to companies to make components locally for gadgets from mobiles to laptops, two government officials said, in a bid to bolster the burgeoning industry and wean off supplies from China.
India's electronic production has more than doubled in the last six years to $115 billion in 2024, led by growth in mobile manufacturing by global firms such as Apple and Samsung. It is now the world's fourth-largest smart phone supplier.
But the sector faces criticism for its heavy reliance on imported components from countries such as China.
"The new scheme will incentivize production of key components like printed circuit boards that will improve domestic value addition and deepen local supply chains for a range of electronics," one of the two officials said.
The incentives are likely to be offered under a new scheme expected to be launched in two to three months, said the officials, who asked not to be identified as details of the scheme are not yet public.
The scheme is likely to offer incentives totaling between $4-$5 billion to global or local firms which qualify, Reuters reported.
The plan, designed by the India's electronics ministry, has identified components eligible for incentives and is in its final stages.
The finance ministry will approve the scheme's final allocation soon, the first official added, with the sources expecting it to be launched in the next 2-3 months.
India's electronics ministry and finance ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
India is aiming to expand its electronics manufacturing to $500 billion by the fiscal year 2030, including production of components worth $150 billion, according to the government's top policy think tank Niti Aayog.
India imported electronics, telecoms gear, and electrical products worth $89.8 billion in the fiscal year 2024, with more than half sourced from China and Hong Kong, according to an analysis by private think tank GTRI.
"This scheme is coming at a time when it is critical to promote component manufacturing that will help us aim for a global-scale of electronics production," Pankaj Mohindroo, head of India's Cellular and Electronics Association, said.