Mohammed Al-Kuwaiti, Chairman of the Arab Group in the Telecommunications Standardization Sector.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced the appointment of the Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, as Chairman of the Arab Regional Group of the Study Group 17 of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (SG17RG-ARB), following the conclusion of the virtual meeting of the group on Arab countries on May 18, 2026.

Study Group 17 of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector is the international body for information security standardization that develops global standards in the areas of cybersecurity, identity management, privacy and emerging technologies, and plays a pivotal role in linking regional cybersecurity priorities with international standards that underpin a secure and reliable digital future.

Dr. Al-Kuwaiti has a proven track record in leading cybersecurity efforts at the national and international levels. It contributed to consolidating the UAE’s position as a globally recognized cyber power, and led efforts to enhance regional cooperation in the Arab world.

This appointment reflects the international community’s confidence in his vision and experience, and embodies the growing role of the Arab region in formulating the standards on which the global digital security system is based.

Dr. Al-Kuwaiti contributed to the UAE achieving the highest ranking in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2024 issued by the International Telecommunication Union, in the “Pioneer Model” category, after obtaining a full score in all five axes, and in developing the partnership between the Cybersecurity Council in the UAE and the International Telecommunication Union to become one of the most active bilateral cooperation frameworks in the field of cybersecurity between a national body and the United Nations system.

Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti said that the UAE, under the guidance of its wise leadership, continues to work to build a safe digital environment that enhances innovation and supports the transition towards a world-leading country in the field of artificial intelligence, capable of anticipating challenges and creating a prosperous and secure digital future for future generations.

The meeting highlighted a number of current and future cooperation paths between the Cybersecurity Council and the International Telecommunication Union, which included confirming the strategic partnership between the two sides, which affirmed their continued commitment to deepening joint cooperation, with the UAE renewing its role in providing the expertise, resources, and leadership necessary to enhance cyber resilience at the regional and global levels, and enhancing cybersecurity governance and sustainable cooperation.
The discussions addressed the challenges of mobilizing resources and financing, as well as strengthening governance frameworks and scalable models, to support the long-term sustainability of cybersecurity initiatives, and exploring future-oriented initiatives.

The meeting highlighted future concepts, including the proposed Cybersecurity Acceleration Center, and continuing cooperation in cybersecurity initiatives supported by artificial intelligence, in a way that enhances the common vision of building flexible digital systems based on innovation.

Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union, Sizo Onoye, said that leading the regional group is a very important responsibility, and he thanked and appreciated the UAE, which once again demonstrates its commitment to standardization work in the International Telecommunication Union.

He added that the office relies on digital technologies to drive progress in various economic sectors, which makes security and trust essential elements for achieving all digital ambitions.

For his part, Chairman of Study Group 17 of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector, Arnaud Taddei, said that the appointment of Dr. Mohammed Al-Kuwaiti is an important step for the Arab Regional Group affiliated with the Committee, which strengthens its leadership at a pivotal stage in the global discussions on security, trust and digital resilience.

He added that Study Group 17, as a group of experts concerned with security, continues to consolidate its leadership on vital issues including the digital identity of individuals, agentic artificial intelligence, child protection on the Internet, and trust and security frameworks, which will make the growing participation and commitment of countries in the Arab region a pivotal factor in shaping the future of secure digital transformation.

He stressed that this appointment reflects the continued strengthening of the partnership that developed over the past year between the UAE and Study Group 17 of the Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunication Union.

The UAE and its partners in the Arab countries, under the chairmanship of Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, are preparing to deepen their contribution to this global agenda, ensuring that the Arab region is not only represented at the dialogue table, but also an active partner in shaping its paths. The UAE Cybersecurity Council and the International Telecommunication Union affirmed their joint commitment to building a flexible, comprehensive and standards-based digital system in the Arab world and beyond.