The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has launched its first office dedicated to global cybersecurity in Riyadh, a move that anchors Saudi Arabia as a central player in international cyber defense cooperation. The new hub will focus on bolstering worldwide cyber resilience through training, research, and strategic policy development.
Quick Facts
- UNITAR’s first-ever global cybersecurity office.
- Based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Partnership with National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA).
A Global Hub for Cyber Resilience
The Riyadh office, which joins UNITAR’s existing network in Hiroshima and Bonn, is a direct result of a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA). The collaboration aims to address the global shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals and create a unified front against digital threats.
Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of UNITAR, highlighted the strategic choice of location. “Cybersecurity is a global imperative that demands global cooperation – no country can build resilience in isolation. We are pleased to launch in Riyadh the world’s first UNITAR office dedicated to cybersecurity – a choice that reflects the Kingdom’s role in advancing collective progress in this domain.”
H.E. Eng. Majed M. Al-Mazyed, Governor of the NCA, emphasized the focus on human capital. “Strengthening cybersecurity requires more than technology, it also demands investment in people, skills, and institutions. Through this partnership with UNITAR, we aim to advance capacity-building and knowledge exchange that strengthen cyber resilience not only for the Kingdom and the region, but for the wider international community.”
Riyadh’s Rising Cybersecurity Profile
This initiative builds on Saudi Arabia’s consistent efforts to position itself as a key destination for global cybersecurity dialogue and action. The Kingdom has spearheaded several high-profile collaborations, including the Global Initiative for Capacity Building in Cyberspace, announced jointly with the UN in 2025.
Riyadh is also home to a growing number of influential organizations in the sector, such as the Arab Cybersecurity Ministers Council and the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF). Further cementing its role, the Kingdom hosts the Centre for Cyber Economics, a joint venture between the GCF and the World Economic Forum.
About UNITAR
The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a training arm of the United Nations System. It provides training and capacity development activities to assist mainly developing countries with special attention to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and other groups and communities who are most vulnerable. The new Riyadh office is its third global location and the first specifically focused on cybersecurity.
Source: Zawya
