UN Secretary-General Stresses Importance of International Cooperation in Cyberspace

   Riyadh, October 2, 2025, SPA -- In a video address to participants of the Global Cybersecurity Forum 2025, United Nations Secretary-General Antَnio Guterres affirmed that the world has become more interconnected, and cyberspace has become essential for driving innovation and creating opportunities. At the same time, he warned that vulnerabilities still exist that can undermine trust, disrupt societies, and threaten peace.
   The UN chief emphasized the need for collective action to ensure cyberspace serves the common good by investing in people, building skills, and fostering inclusion.
   His remarks came during the fifth annual Global Cybersecurity Forum, held in Riyadh under the theme “Scaling Cohesive Advancement in Cyberspace.”
   In his address, Guterres stressed the need for everyone to work toward building global partnerships based on solidarity and shared responsibility, without leaving any country or community behind.
   He affirmed that the United Nations remains committed to advancing its vision of cyberspace as open, secure, and grounded in international law. He also indicated that achieving this vision requires ensuring that all states have the capacity to maximize opportunities while minimizing risks in cyberspace.
   The UN secretary-general expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom for adopting the Global Initiative for Capacity Building in Cyberspace, highlighting the Global Cybersecurity Forum’s focus on issues such as child protection and women’s empowerment.
   The Kingdom, represented by the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) in cooperation with the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE) and the Global Cybersecurity Forum Institute and in partnership with the United Nations and its specialized agencies, announced the launch of the Global Initiative for Capacity Building in Cyberspace.
   The Global Cybersecurity Forum Institute, established by Royal Decree in 2023 as an independent institution with an international dimension, oversees the implementation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister’s, two global initiatives; Child Protection in Cyberspace (CPC) and Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity (WEC), as part of its mandate.
   The Institute works to unify stakeholders’ efforts worldwide by fostering partnerships, cooperation, and knowledge exchange, and by advancing dialogue among leading experts on cybersecurity issues related to child protection and women’s empowerment, in support of global economic and social development.
   -- SPA