Saudi Arabia to Host Child Protection in Cyberspace Summit

Saudi Arabia will host the Child Protection in Cyberspace (CPC) Global Summit in Riyadh on October 2-3, 2024, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as announced by the Saudi Press Agency. The summit, held in conjunction with the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), is organized by the GCF and the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the DQ Institute, and WeProtect Global Alliance.

Context and Background

The CPC Global Summit aims to lay the foundations for international cooperation to build a safe and empowering cyberspace for children worldwide. It will bring together a high-level group of international decision makers, representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, and key stakeholders. The event underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to addressing global challenges through multilateral dialogue and action.

The GCF Institute, established by Royal Decree in 2023 as an independent institution, seeks to strengthen global cyber resilience by advancing international collaboration, purposeful dialogue, and impactful initiatives. It serves as a platform where the world’s cybersecurity stakeholders exchange knowledge and collaborate on critical issues regarding cyberspace.

Key Details

The summit will address key topics around child protection in cyberspace and aims to spur initiatives that unify efforts for maximum impact. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized, “Protecting children online is a shared responsibility. With today’s children spending an increasing amount of time online, it is more crucial than ever to protect and empower them. The Child Protection in Cyberspace Global Summit will bring together leaders from all sectors to ensure our youngest users can thrive online.”

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell stated, “We must work together to make the internet a safe place for children to learn, socialize and express themselves. This Summit marks an important opportunity to coordinate global efforts to maximize the benefits of digital technology in children’s lives while protecting them from harm.”

Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed stressed that the CPC Global Summit will bring together key stakeholders in this field, adding: “We are gathering in Riyadh because we all recognize that, as the risks to children in cyberspace grow in number and complexity, we must collaborate to develop innovative forms of partnerships to advance our collective efforts to protect them.”

Dr. Yuyhun Park, founder of the DQ Institute, said, “What we need today is coordinated, multistakeholder collaboration that enhances not only children’s safety and well-being in cyberspace, but also their cyber literacy, as our highest priority.”

Iain Drennan, Executive Director of WeProtect Global Alliance, stressed the urgency: “Child exploitation is an urgent and growing problem. We need to focus on preventing harm and work together for a cyberspace that is designed to be safer to protect children across the globe from exploitation.”

The GCF Annual Meeting will be held under the theme ‘Advancing Collective Action in Cyberspace,’ featuring dialogue and participatory sessions that address five sub-themes: Beyond Cyber Discord; Thriving Cyber Economy; Cyber Social Fabric: Cyber Psychology; and New Cyber Frontier.

Implications and Impact

The summit represents a significant step in global efforts to protect children online, with Saudi Arabia playing a leading role in fostering international cooperation. By hosting this event, the Kingdom reinforces its position as a responsible global actor in cybersecurity and child protection. The participation of high-level representatives from governments, international organizations, and the private sector highlights the collective commitment to safeguarding children in the digital age.

The outcomes of the summit are expected to influence global policies and practices, promoting a safer online environment for children and empowering them to harness the benefits of digital technology. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to advance global security and prosperity through dialogue and collaboration.

Vision 2030 Alignment

Hosting the CPC Global Summit reflects Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which include fostering a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. By leading global discussions on child protection in cyberspace, the Kingdom demonstrates its commitment to innovation, international collaboration, and the well-being of future generations. This initiative also supports the development of a knowledge-based economy and enhances Saudi Arabia’s role as a hub for global problem-solving and diplomacy, contributing to a safer and more prosperous world for all.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the Child Protection in Cyberspace Global Summit?

A1. The Child Protection in Cyberspace Global Summit is an international event hosted by Saudi Arabia to foster cooperation on protecting children online. It brings together leaders from governments, international organizations, and the private sector to develop strategies for a safer digital environment for children worldwide.

Q2. When and where will the summit take place?

A2. The summit will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 2-3, 2024, in conjunction with the Global Cybersecurity Forum Annual Meeting.

Q3. Who is organizing the summit?

A3. The summit is organized by the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF) and the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNICEF, the DQ Institute, and WeProtect Global Alliance.

Q4. Under whose patronage is the summit held?

A4. The summit is held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Q5. What is the main goal of the summit?

A5. The main goal is to lay the foundations for international cooperation to build a safe and empowering cyberspace for children around the world, addressing the growing risks they face online.

Q6. Who will participate in the summit?

A6. Participants include a high-level group of international decision makers, representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, and key stakeholders.

Q7. What did ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin say about the summit?

A7. She emphasized that protecting children online is a shared responsibility and that the summit will bring together leaders from all sectors to ensure young users can thrive online.

Q8. What was UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s comment?

A8. She stated that we must work together to make the internet safe for children to learn, socialize, and express themselves, and that the summit is an opportunity to coordinate global efforts.

Q9. What did Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed highlight?

A9. He stressed that the summit will bring together key stakeholders to develop innovative partnerships to protect children, as risks in cyberspace grow in number and complexity.

Q10. What is the DQ Institute’s role in the summit?

A10. The DQ Institute collaborates on the summit, with its founder Dr. Yuyhun Park emphasizing the need for coordinated, multistakeholder collaboration to enhance children’s safety and cyber literacy.

Q11. What is WeProtect Global Alliance’s contribution?

A11. WeProtect Global Alliance collaborates on the summit, with Executive Director Iain Drennan stressing the urgency of preventing child exploitation and designing a safer cyberspace.

Q12. What are the five sub-themes of the GCF Annual Meeting?

A12. The sub-themes are Beyond Cyber Discord; Thriving Cyber Economy; Cyber Social Fabric: Cyber Psychology; and New Cyber Frontier.

Q13. What is the theme of this year’s GCF Annual Meeting?

A13. The theme is ‘Advancing Collective Action in Cyberspace,’ focusing on dialogue and participatory sessions.

Q14. What is the GCF Institute?

A14. The GCF Institute is an independent institution established by Royal Decree in 2023 to strengthen global cyber resilience through international collaboration, dialogue, and impactful initiatives.

Q15. Why is Saudi Arabia hosting this summit?

A15. Saudi Arabia is hosting the summit to demonstrate its commitment to global cybersecurity and child protection, and to foster international cooperation in addressing digital challenges.

Q16. How does the summit align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A16. It aligns with Vision 2030 by promoting a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation, showcasing Saudi leadership in global problem-solving and innovation.

Q17. What outcomes are expected from the summit?

A17. The summit aims to spur initiatives that unify efforts for maximum impact, influencing global policies and practices for a safer online environment for children.

Q18. How will the summit address child exploitation?

A18. The summit will focus on preventing harm and fostering coordinated, multistakeholder collaboration to protect children from exploitation in cyberspace.

Q19. What is the significance of the summit for global cybersecurity?

A19. It represents a significant step in global efforts to protect children online, with Saudi Arabia playing a leading role in fostering international cooperation and setting standards for cyber safety.

Q20. How can stakeholders participate in the summit?

A20. Stakeholders can participate by engaging in the dialogue sessions and collaborating on initiatives. The summit is open to high-level decision makers, government representatives, international organizations, and private sector leaders.

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