Gulf States Urged to Unite Against Cyber Threats
Gulf states must strengthen joint efforts to defend against cyber attacks, which should now be treated as a form of modern warfare, said Shura Council member and former Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Assoomi.
Al Assoomi said attacks targeting airports, hospitals, energy networks and government systems could seriously disrupt public life without a conventional military attack. He called for shared threat intelligence, common defence plans and greater use of artificial intelligence to detect and contain cyber threats.
He said cybersecurity, AI, energy security and supply chains were among the key priorities for the GCC as Bahrain holds the bloc’s current presidency.
“The GCC is currently in its strongest state, and the GCC countries have proven their ability to co-ordinate, especially in difficult circumstances,” Al Assoomi said.
He also stressed the importance of economic integration and cooperation on energy and supply chains to help Gulf states withstand regional and global disruptions.
Al Assoomi praised Bahrain’s role in promoting Gulf coordination, saying the Kingdom had consistently supported consensus and joint GCC action.
“Bahrain is known for being a consensual state, and His Majesty the King is keen on Gulf co-ordination, understanding and supporting joint Gulf action,” he said.
He added that the GCC’s strength depended on member states treating security, economic and digital challenges as shared concerns requiring a unified response.
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