The State of Qatar affirmed its commitment to confronting common challenges to achieve security at the regional and international levels through the safe use of information and communication technology (ICT), noting that the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) in Qatar was established in 2021 to unify the visions and efforts to secure the state’s cyberspace and maintain national cyber security, considering that the agency has been keen to include cyber security in the activities of the International Day of Education in January 2024.
This came in the State of Qatar’s statement, delivered by Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, before the First Committee of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), on the item ‘Cyber Security,’ in New York, US.
Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Qatar to UN said that, represented by NCSA, the State of Qatar actively participates in the meetings of the
Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on the security of and in the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs), stressing that Qatar hopes to achieve its aspired goals and enhance international cooperation in the field of safe use of ICT.
The State of Qatar hosted the meeting of the Executive Committee for Cyber Security in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in July 2024, he noted, pointing out that Qatar has also been selected as the hosting country of the Common Criteria International Conference (ICCC) scheduled to be held in November 2024. This represents a significant point in the country’s development through international cooperation in the field of digital and technological security, which is an annual event that brings together cyber security experts, government officials and decision-makers from all over the world, he added.
The statement highlighted NCSA’s launching of the National Cyber Security Strategy 2024-2030 (NCSS) in the State of Qatar, which aims to contribute effective
ly to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, and to enhance its position to become at the forefront of countries seeking to ensure the safe use of current and emerging technologies.
He also highlighted that the State of Qatar was honored among the champions of the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) in May 2024 in Geneva, through the Cyber Echo project, which targets school students and educates them on innovative methods regarding cyber security.
Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Qatar to UN conveyed the State of Qatar’s emphasis that it is important for all countries to benefit jointly from the opportunities and activities provided by technological progress, as it enhances international cooperation and achieves global interests that benefit humankind, including helping countries with less advanced technology.
The statement indicated that the unprecedented rapid development in the field of ICT has opened up new horizons that have helped connect the world, exchange in
formation and create economic opportunities that were not available before. There has been a tremendous development in providing services, whether through the use of technology in managing, operating and securing vital infrastructure facilities or through mobile phone and computer applications, which make all services accessible and reduce the costs of providing those services, contributing to achieving the goals of sustainable development.
Al-Thani said that electronic information security and cyber security pose a major challenge to the international community, pointing out that the world has witnessed serious violations of the electronic systems of countries and public and private institutions alike in recent years.
Given the risks resulting from the increase in cybercrimes and the urgent need to provide cyber security for countries and individuals, the regulation of dealing with them is of utmost importance to prevent such crimes from occurring and to prevent the misuse of ICT in carrying out criminal a
nd destructive acts, he elaborated, adding that the State of Qatar participated in the meetings of the committee dedicated to developing a comprehensive international agreement on combating the use of ICT for criminal purposes in August, during which the committee approved the draft agreement in its revised.
The statement stressed that the danger posed by the misuse of ICT requires the international community to intensify efforts to maintain international peace and security.
Source: Qatar News Agency
