New york: The State of Qatar emphasized the importance of the international community continuing to intensify its efforts to enhance cybersecurity and expand avenues of cooperation, particularly between developed and developing countries, to ensure the utilization and preservation of digital gains. Qatar stressed that cyberspace and its related uses provide vast opportunities for promoting economic development and achieving human well-being.
According to Qatar News Agency, this message was delivered by Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, Second Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, at the UN General Assembly's First Committee during its 80th session on Other Disarmament Measures and International Security held in New York. Sheikh Abdulrahman explained that progress in digital and technological fields has offered smart and low-cost solutions to many development-related issues while enhancing social communication through advanced networks.
He noted that while such progress offers opportunities in various areas of technology, it also brings increasing cybersecurity risks that now pose threats to all forms of digital activity, including attacks targeting vital telecommunications and digital infrastructure. These threats can result in material and moral damage, privacy violations, and obstacles to economic development efforts.
Sheikh Abdulrahman highlighted that information security and cybersecurity have become major concerns for the international community, especially for governments, public institutions, banks, financial bodies, and private sector entities. This growing global awareness led to the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, which Qatar signed during an official ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Oct. 25, 2025.
Furthermore, he mentioned Qatar's active participation in the Open-ended Working Group on the Security of Information and Communication Technology (2021-2025), which concluded its work in July 2025. Qatar welcomed the consensus-adopted final report and expressed hope that its recommendations would be implemented to strengthen cybersecurity and international cooperation in the safe use of ICTs.
Additionally, Sheikh Abdulrahman noted Qatar's commitment to promoting responsible behavior in cyberspace. The National Cyber Security Agency organized a side event titled "Qatar's Successful Experience in Implementing the UN Norms for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace" on July 7, 2025, during the Eleventh Substantive Session of the Open-Ended Working Group. This event aimed to highlight Qatar's successful model in adopting UN cybersecurity standards.
Lastly, he referred to Qatar's participation in the Fourth Meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity held on Sept. 8, 2025, in Kuwait. During this meeting, the execution plan for the GCC Cybersecurity Strategy and the framework for international cooperation among GCC member states were approved.