The Kingdom is leading the establishment of the Council of Cybersecurity Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries, based in Riyadh

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The Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, during its fifty-second session, approved the establishment of the Council of Ministers of Cybersecurity for the Organization’s countries, based on a proposal submitted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with its General Secretariat and Executive Office to be based in Riyadh.

The Council aims to enhance cybersecurity in member states, protect their vital interests and national security, and strengthen joint cooperation, in addition to coordinating efforts aimed at protecting the interests of member states in international organizations concerned with cybersecurity.

According to the decision, the Council will be a subsidiary body of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and a reference for topics related to cybersecurity under its umbrella, provided that it is composed of entities concerned with cybersecurity in member states, and its general secretariat and executive office are headed by representatives from the host country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, Engineer Majid bin Mohammed Al-Mazyad, explained that the initiative comes in light of the escalation of cyber threats globally, and the risks they pose to the vital interests of countries, sensitive infrastructure, priority sectors, and government services.

He stressed that these challenges highlight the importance of strengthening cybersecurity in the countries of the organization, as it is an essential factor in the growth of economies and prosperity of societies, and a pillar in the system of maintaining international peace and security.

He appreciated the support that the cybersecurity sector in the Kingdom is receiving from the leadership, praising the follow-up of the members of the Authority’s Board of Directors, headed by the Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers, Dr. Musaed bin Muhammad Al-Aiban.

He pointed out that hosting Riyadh as the Council’s headquarters reflects confidence in the Kingdom’s role in leading international initiatives and projects, and benefiting from its expertise in enhancing cyberspace stability and developing cooperation between countries, pointing out that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation includes 57 member states, and is considered the second largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations.

This step comes as an extension of the Kingdom’s initiatives in the field, including the establishment of the International Cybersecurity Forum Foundation and the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, whose secretariat and executive office are based in Riyadh, in addition to the establishment of the Cyber ​​Economics Center in partnership between the International Cybersecurity Forum Foundation and the World Economic Forum, and Riyadh hosting the first cybersecurity office affiliated with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).