GENEVA — The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UN specialized agency for information and communication technology, praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's (KSA) efforts, represented by the National Cybersecurity Authority, to protect children in cyberspace.

This came after signing a strategic partnership agreement between National Cybersecurity Authority and International Telecommunication Union to launch a global program to protect children in the cyberspace.

The global program on “Creating a Safe and Prosperous Cyberspace for Children”, will foster innovative policies, ensure upgrading of skills, promote global dialogue and strengthen global efforts to implement the ITU Child Online Protection (COP) Guidelines, launched in June 2020.

The new strategic partnership aims to develop and implement child online safety policies among governments, industries, and civil societies to increase skills development and knowledge sharing with all relevant stakeholders, including children and their families.

It will do so by creating a national, regional and international set of measures and programs that will ensure child online protection while empowering children with the necessary cyber skills to fully benefit from the online environment.

Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union Houlin Zhao indicated that children's safety on the Internet has become more necessary than ever, indicating that the launch of this program will contribute to reducing crimes, targeting children on the Internet, and will contribute to providing the necessary resources and skills for children.

He stated that the Union appreciates the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect children in cyberspace, represented by the initiative of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to protect children in the cyberspace.

For his part, National Cybersecurity Authority Chairman Dr. Musaed Bin Mohammad Al-Aiban, praised the empowerment and protection of children in cyberspace, as it is a top priority for the Crown Prince, as he launched a global initiative to protect children in the cyberspace.

Dr. Al-Aiban said that the Authority has worked with the International Telecommunication Union to design this comprehensive global program, which we hope to have an impact on increasing international cooperation to enhance the protection of children in cyberspace. — SPA