DOHA: The State of Qatar, represented by the National Cybersecurity Agency (NCSA), chaired the GCC Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity meeting at the Sheraton Doha Hotel on Sunday. HE President of the National Cybersecurity Agency, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki, led the opening session, with HE GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi and representatives from participating Gulf delegations in attendance. According to Qatar News Agency, the meeting marked the official launch of the Gulf Cybersecurity Strategy and introduced a platform for sharing information on cyber threats among GCC member states. Participants assessed the progress of committees under the Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity, approved their reports, and finalized the timetable for future Gulf cyber exercises, including the upcoming third Gulf Cyber Exercise in November in Qatar. HE Eng. Al Malki, in his opening remarks, highlighted the Committee's achievements since its inception, contributing to secure cyberspac e across the region. He pointed out that the Gulf Cybersecurity Strategy is a pivotal development, enhancing the GCC's regional and international cybersecurity standing. Addressing challenges from emerging technologies like AI, Al Malki emphasized the need to manage AI's risks, such as deepfake techniques, while leveraging its benefits. He stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation. Al Malki also underscored the value of training programs, workshops, and joint exercises in sharing expertise and developing national cybersecurity talent. HE GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi praised the GCC's cybersecurity achievements, noting the global recognition of five GCC states in the "First Category" of the International Telecommunication Union's Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 2024. Albudaiwi commended the GCC Ministerial Committee for Cybersecurity's contributions, reflecting the GCC's commitment to cybersecurity.