A delegation from the General Secretariat, headed by His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Maliki, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Economic Affairs Sector, participated on 30 September in the second session of the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council, held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In his address, Ambassador Al-Maliki commended the progress made by the Council since its inaugural session, as well as the achievements of Arab countries in the field of cybersecurity. He noted that this progress was reflected in the advancement of Arab states in the Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), issued by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in its most recent 2024 report, in which eight Arab countries ranked among the top performers.
The Council further stressed the need to continue the efforts initiated by the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in following cybersecurity issues across various regional and international forums, and in ensuring the effective representation of the Arab group in cooperation with international and regional organisations in this domain. Ambassador Al-Maliki also referred to the recommendation adopted at the last meeting of the Executive Office of the Arab Ministers of Communications and Information, underscoring the importance of coordinating with the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council on matters submitted to both bodies.
The second session's agenda includes the adoption of the draft Arab Cybersecurity Strategy; the approval of mechanisms and procedures for international and regional organisations to join the Council as observers; and the endorsement of the Council's membership in prominent international organisations and entities.
These decisions aim to advance the Council's objectives of securing Arab cyberspace, strengthening coordination among Arab states on all matters related to cybersecurity, and safeguarding the interests of the League's member states in relevant international organisations through joint coordination and a unified Arab position.
