RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recently chaired an influential global telecom working group examining issues related to internet services and technologies and their usage around the world.
Since its formation in 2009, the Kingdom has presided over the International Telecommunication Union’s council working group meeting on internet-related public policy issues.
Held in Geneva, the meeting was headed by governor of the Saudi National Cybersecurity Authority, Majed Al-Mazyad, and attended by ITU secretary-general, Houlin Zhao, his deputy Malcolm Johnson, union sector managers, and representatives of member states.
During a review of a final report on internet and technology services, Al-Mazyad highlighted recommendations linked to enhancing online security, the use of new and emerging international technologies, and recent trends.
The report also noted the achievements of a specialist team, headed by Saudi Arabia, in helping to strengthen joint cooperation between member states to raise the efficiency of internet use around the world.
The team conducted 10 international consultations on more than 20 topics on internet-related public policy issues and discussed in excess of 400 working papers from government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and academia from more than 50 countries.