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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)
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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.

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SDAIA: Saudi Arabia Committed to Ensuring Ethical and Responsible AI Development

Chief of the National Data Management Office in the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Alrebdi bin Fahd Al-Rebdi speaks at the at the 2024 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai. (SPA)
Chief of the National Data Management Office in the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Alrebdi bin Fahd Al-Rebdi speaks at the at the 2024 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai. (SPA)
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SDAIA: Saudi Arabia Committed to Ensuring Ethical and Responsible AI Development

Chief of the National Data Management Office in the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Alrebdi bin Fahd Al-Rebdi speaks at the at the 2024 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai. (SPA)
Chief of the National Data Management Office in the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Alrebdi bin Fahd Al-Rebdi speaks at the at the 2024 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai. (SPA)

Chief of the National Data Management Office in the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) Alrebdi bin Fahd Al-Rebdi said on Thursday that the Kingdom, through SDAIA, is dedicated to developing ethical and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) on both a national and global level.

He emphasized SDAIA's crucial role in advancing global AI governance as the national authority responsible for data and AI regulation, development, and usage in the Kingdom.

Al-Rebdi made his remarks at the 2024 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, themed "Governing AI for Good and for All," held from July 4 to 6 in Shanghai, China.

He said:

"The Kingdom has invested heavily in AI research and development, established specialized centers, and has been keen to strengthen cooperation with leading global technology companies,” he added.

“It seeks to achieve global leadership in this field and benefit from its transformative power in various sectors to achieve the goals of the Saudi Vision 2030,” he went on to say.

Al-Rebdi underscored SDAIA's active engagement with international organizations, governments, and industry leaders to shape global AI governance frameworks. Through partnerships, SDAIA aims to contribute its expertise and perspectives to shape AI policies and standards that foster innovation and uphold ethical principles.

SDAIA is an active member of the international AI community, having participated effectively in the preparation of the initial international scientific report on the safety of advanced AI, which is the result of joint cooperative efforts between 75 AI experts from 30 countries, the European Union, and the United Nations, Al-Rebdi stressed.

He underlined SDAIA's commitment to driving the responsible and ethical development and deployment of AI technologies to benefit humanity through international collaboration, ethical advocacy, regulatory framework development, knowledge exchange and support for AI initiatives on local and international levels.

Al-Rebdi reiterated the importance of upholding ethical principles in AI, including fairness, privacy and security, reliability and safety, transparency and explainability, accountability and responsibility, humanity, and social and environmental benefits.

SDAIA's goal is to ensure that AI technologies are developed with a focus on human needs and to promote both local and global values. SDAIA recognizes AI's potential to impact societies worldwide positively and actively supports initiatives that utilize AI for social good, including healthcare, education, sustainable development, and public safety.

Moreover, Al-Rebdi called for efforts to shape a future where AI serves as a force for positive change, addressing global challenges, promoting sustainable development, and fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

He invited representatives of participating countries to attend the third edition of the Global AI Summit, organized by the Kingdom and represented by SDAIA in Riyadh in September 2024. The summit will bring together global thought leaders to explore the potential impact of AI across various fields.