The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Media, Abdulrahman Majrashi, affirmed that the Saudi Media Forum represents a vital and interactive platform that brings together a select group of experts and decision-makers in the media sector from more than 20 countries worldwide. He explained that this international gathering aims not only to facilitate discussions but also, and more importantly, to transfer accumulated knowledge and expertise to practitioners and those interested in the media field. This is achieved through specialized sessions that bring together professionals and technicians at a single table to discuss the challenges and future of the industry.

The forum is being held at a time when Saudi Arabia is undergoing a comprehensive development drive under Vision 2030, with media playing a pivotal role in reflecting the true picture of this transformation. This edition of the forum is particularly significant given the rapid advancements in communication technology and artificial intelligence, which position Riyadh as a leading destination for the media industry in the Middle East and a platform for launching cross-border media partnerships.

In an exclusive statement to Akhbar24 , Majrashi highlighted the important points raised by Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossari during his speech at the forum, specifically the concept of "attention economy." He noted that the minister emphasized the challenges posed by modern algorithms on social media platforms, which tend to reward controversial content at the expense of high-quality, valuable content. This presents a significant challenge for media organizations in maintaining professionalism while ensuring audience reach.

On the sidelines of the events, Majrashi explained that the minister launched the Future of Media Exhibition “FOMEX”, which is the largest specialized media exhibition in the region, as it includes a large number of major media companies from government agencies and the private sector, to showcase the latest technologies and innovations in the world of production, broadcasting and digital content.

The official spokesperson also highlighted the key areas and initiatives featured at the forum, explaining that the "Jada 2030" area is dedicated to showcasing national transformation projects and the Kingdom's ambitious vision. In the context of strengthening the Kingdom's soft power, the forum provides a "Media Bridge" offering high-quality initiatives, most notably the "Saudipedia" encyclopedia. This encyclopedia is distinguished by its translation into five major world languages: English, French, Chinese, Russian, and German—a strategic step aimed at conveying the Kingdom's heritage, history, and cultural identity to the world in their native languages.

Majrashi concluded his remarks by addressing the developmental aspect of talent, highlighting the "Ask the Media" initiative, which targets professionals and young people, offering them a unique opportunity to meet directly with a select group of media experts in specialized fields such as content creation, media intelligence, monitoring and analysis, government communication, and visual identities. This initiative aims to provide professional guidance and assistance in developing media practices according to the latest international standards.

In a move reflecting its growing leadership role in the global digital space, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Cybersecurity Authority, participated in the meetings of the committee tasked with drafting the rules of procedure for the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. These important meetings were held at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria, from January 26 to 30.

This participation comes as a complement to international efforts aimed at activating the first binding international agreement to combat cybercrime under the umbrella of the United Nations, a historic step that the international community has awaited for more than twenty years to close legislative and legal gaps in the face of cross-border cyber threats.

International context and strategic importance

These meetings are of paramount importance given the escalating pace of cyberattacks globally and the evolving methods of cybercrime, making a unified international legal framework essential for facilitating cooperation between countries in investigation, prosecution, and the exchange of digital evidence. The new agreement is a cornerstone in building a global security system capable of addressing these challenges, and recent meetings have focused on developing the procedural mechanisms that will govern the work of the signatory states to ensure the effective implementation of the agreement's provisions.

The Kingdom's leading role regionally and internationally

The Kingdom's participation was not limited to mere attendance; it played a pivotal role in coordinating regional positions. As chair of the Arab Cyber ​​Diplomacy Committee, established by the Council of Arab Ministers of Cyber ​​Security, the Kingdom spearheaded efforts to unify Arab perspectives and reach a common stance on the draft internal regulations. This effort reflects the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening joint Arab action and protecting regional interests in international forums.

This active diplomatic move comes as an extension of the Kingdom’s strategy to enhance security and stability in cyberspace and to consolidate the concepts of international cooperation, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which pays great attention to digital infrastructure and its protection as a fundamental pillar of the national economy.

National Cybersecurity Authority: The National Reference

It is worth noting that the National Cybersecurity Authority is the competent authority for cybersecurity in the Kingdom and the national reference point for all cybersecurity matters. The Authority aims to enhance cybersecurity to protect the vital interests of the state and its national security, in addition to safeguarding critical infrastructure. The Authority is also responsible for representing the Kingdom in relevant bilateral, regional, and international organizations, bodies, committees, and groups, and for monitoring the implementation of the Kingdom's international commitments in this vital field.