Arab League announces establishment of Council of Ministers for Cybersecurity

The 160th session of the Council of Arab Foreign Ministers of the Arab League has welcomed the decision in Cairo to establish a Council of Ministers for Cybersecurity.

The body will aim to document and develop cooperation between states and coordinate efforts between Arab countries in all aspects related to cybersecurity issues.

The decision was proposed by the Kingdom, and the council is set to have a general secretariat and an executive office based in Riyadh.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the decision was made in light of the growing cyber threat, which has targeted all sectors and become a threat to national stability and development goals.

The council will work on its main objectives to enhance Arab cooperation in the field of cybersecurity and achieve access to a safe and reliable cyberspace to enable countries and Arab people to prosper.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League, stressed the significance of bolstering cooperation in this area, according to the SPA.

He added that social stability and economic growth were impossible without societal and individual security.

Aboul Gheit thanked Saudi Arabia for its support of Arab efforts in this field, and for working to enhance joint action in the field of cybersecurity.

The council is tasked with addressing a number of issues, including the consideration of all cybersecurity concerns; the development of all security, economic, developmental, and legislative levels, and the taking of necessary recommendations and decisions in this regard; and the proposal of policies, standards, projects, and initiatives that aim to improve security in the Arab League member states.

“The field of cybersecurity has become a major pillar of any security system, and there cannot be economic development, for example, without the provision of cybersecurity, with all its elements for society and citizens,” said Hossam Zaki, the assistant secretary-general of the Arab League.

“The council aims to develop and strengthen cooperation, and coordinate efforts between Arab countries in all aspects related to cybersecurity issues.

“Of course, I would like to thank the Kingdom for its support and efforts in enhancing joint Arab action in the field of cybersecurity,” he added.