Saudi Arabia will host the Child Protection in Cyberspace (CPC) Global Summit on October 2-3, as part of the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), which will take place in Riyadh under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The summit, organized by the GCF Foundation and the National Cybersecurity Authority in collaboration with the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNICEF, the DQ Institute, and the WeProtect Global Alliance, aims to establish international cooperation to create a safe and empowering cyberspace for children worldwide.
It will bring together key global decision-makers, government representatives, international organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said the summit represents a significant opportunity to coordinate global efforts to maximize the benefits of technology in children's lives while protecting them from its risks. She emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to make cyberspace a safe environment for children to learn and socialize.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted that protecting children online is a shared responsibility and more urgent than ever, especially as children spend increasing amounts of time on the Internet. She noted that the summit will bring together leaders and decision-makers across sectors to ensure that children thrive in a secure digital environment.
National Cybersecurity Authority Governor Eng. Majed bin Mohammed Al-Mazyed stressed that the summit will unite key stakeholders, including international and non-profit organizations and the private sector. The summit will focus on topics and initiatives aimed at enhancing efforts to protect children in cyberspace, particularly in light of their growing use of modern technologies.
Founder of the DQ Institute Dr. Yuhyun Park emphasized the need for coordinated collaboration among stakeholders to enhance children's safety and well-being online.
Executive Director of the WeProtect Global Alliance Ian Drennan pointed out that the threats faced by children online are a pressing and growing concern, making it crucial to focus on creating a safer digital space for children worldwide.
The GCF Foundation, established under a Royal Order in 2023 as an independent entity, aims to unify global stakeholders' efforts through partnerships, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. It also seeks to foster dialogue among leading cybersecurity experts to support economic and social development worldwide.
This year’s edition of the GCF, held under the theme "Maximizing Joint Action in Cyberspace," will feature sessions discussing five key pillars: bridging cybersecurity disparities, cyberspace behavior, social infrastructure in cyberspace, a thriving cyber economy, and new cyber horizons.