Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the United Nations, has launched a global initiative to strengthen cybersecurity capacity worldwide. The announcement came during the opening of the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh on Wednesday, inaugurated on behalf of King Salman bin Abdulaziz by Riyadh Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz.
Prince Faisal stressed that the theme of this year’s fifth edition, Scaling Cohesive Advancement into Cyberspace, builds on the forum’s past achievements in unifying international efforts and promoting joint action. He voiced confidence that experts, policymakers, and industry leaders would share global best practices, contributing to a safer and more trustworthy cyberspace that enables economic growth and prosperity across nations.
Majed Al-Mazyed, Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, highlighted the Kingdom’s growing international role in the sector. He noted that Saudi Arabia’s model has become globally recognized for its effectiveness at local, regional, and international levels. The new initiative, he said, aims to accelerate skills development in priority areas by drawing on a broad network of international expertise.
In a video address, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described cyberspace as both a catalyst for innovation and a field of vulnerability. He warned that weaknesses in digital systems could undermine trust, disrupt societies, and threaten peace. He urged collective action to use cyberspace for the public good by investing in people, building digital skills, promoting inclusivity, and forging global partnerships based on solidarity and shared responsibility.
Guterres praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership in cybersecurity capacity-building and welcomed the new initiative. He also commended the forum’s focus on issues such as child protection and women’s empowerment. The Secretary-General reiterated the UN’s commitment to advancing an open, secure, and law-based cyberspace where all countries can maximize opportunities while minimizing risks.
On the forum’s first day, experts and practitioners emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange to strengthen global cybersecurity. They noted Saudi Arabia’s rapid growth in the sector, underscoring the economic role of digital security in supporting investment and driving innovation.
The initiative, launched by the National Cybersecurity Authority in cooperation with the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE) and the Global Cybersecurity Forum Institute, and in partnership with the UN and its specialized agencies, addresses pressing international challenges. Chief among them is the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, estimated at 2.8 million worldwide, according to the 2024 workforce report.
Since its inception in 2020, the Global Cybersecurity Forum has established itself as a platform for dialogue and cooperation, bringing together governments, private sector leaders, academia, and civil society. Through these efforts, Saudi Arabia continues to advance its strategic vision of fostering global collaboration, enhancing knowledge transfer, and building human capacity to secure the digital future.
Caption: A scene from the Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh on Wednesday (Forum account on X
