The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee held its first meeting at the headquarters of the GCC Secretariat General in Riyadh, in the presence of heads of specialized institutions in cybersecurity in GCC countries and GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

During the meeting that was hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Cybersecurity Authority, the ministerial committee discussed work papers presented by GCC countries, which aim at enhancing cooperation in cybersecurity fields at the GCC level through several initiatives concerned with developing the cybersecurity sector.

The meeting discussed topics related to the common aspects of cooperation between the GCC states in cybersecurity, including the development of frameworks, policies, and joint procedures to address cyber threats, aligning efforts among the GCC states in various sectors, raising the level of international cooperation with countries and relevant organizations, and promoting and developing the cybersecurity industry in the GCC countries, and exchanging knowledge, experiences, and studies related to cybersecurity, to create a safe cyberspace environment to protect the GCC countries from cyber threats.

During this meeting, the first Gulf cybersecurity exercise was launched, aimed at enhancing communication and information sharing among the GCC states, exchanging experiences between national cadres specialized in cybersecurity, raising the level of cyber readiness to confront cyber threats, in addition to finding innovative solutions to meet cyber challenges and threats.

Dr. Mohammed Hamad Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, participated in the first meeting of the GCC Cybersecurity Ministerial Committee, UAE national news agency reported.

Dr. Al Kuwaiti highlighted the significance of this meeting, which represents a new start to enhance Gulf and regional cooperation and integration and support national efforts in the field of cybersecurity in light of the rapid technological developments and geopolitical challenges the world is witnessing nowadays.

Dr. Al Kuwaiti put forward some proposals and initiatives that could promote joint Gulf action in cybersecurity; including establishing a cybersecurity center for the GCC countries, providing a clear vision for identifying cyber threats, supporting opportunities to adopt a multi-level methodology to respond to cyber challenges, and enhancing the benefit of GCC countries from the development of the innovative digital business environment.

Meanwhile, the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, also took part in the meeting, Oman News Agency (ONA) reported.

The Omani delegation was headed by Eng. Said Hamoud Al Ma’awali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.