Saudi, UN Launch Cybersecurity Skills Initiative

News Desk - 01/10/2025

The Global Initiative for Capacity Building in Cyberspace was announced at the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) Annual Meeting 2025 in Riyadh. The initiative is a collaboration between Saudi Arabia and the United Nations (UN).

The launch comes as the world faces a cybersecurity workforce shortage of 2.8 million professionals. According to the GCF 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report, 43% of information security executives reported critical skills gaps.

The new initiative aims to deliver large-scale capacity development in high-need areas. It will include expert-led workshops, training programs, international cyber drills, policy support, and collaborative research and development. Beneficiaries will include policy practitioners, law enforcement personnel, and cyber diplomats.

Implementation will be led by Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE), and GCF. They will partner with multiple UN agencies, including UNDP, UNODA, UNODC, UNICRI, UNIDIR, ITU, and INTERPOL, along with global partners.

H.E. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed, Governor of the NCA, said Saudi Arabia’s partnership with the UN reflects a commitment to global cybersecurity skills development. He added that the initiative will complement international efforts to build resilience in cyberspace.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the initiative. He stated that cyberspace drives innovation but also brings risks that must be managed collectively. He called for investments in people, skills, and inclusion to ensure cyberspace serves the common good.

The announcement was made on the opening day of the GCF Annual Meeting 2025 in Riyadh. The meeting highlighted Saudi Arabia’s wider commitment to international collaboration in cyberspace, including its global initiatives on child protection and women’s empowerment in cybersecurity.

The GCF Annual Meeting, now in its fifth edition, remains a leading global platform for advancing international cybersecurity collaboration, purposeful dialogue, and impactful initiatives.

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