Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, Saudi ambassador in the UK, visited the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) pavilion in the World Travel Market Fair in London.
Prince Nawaf listened to a detailed explanation of the Kingdom’s 27 airports and the achievement of GACA in its privatization efforts and the opening of various investment opportunities for international companies.
The envoy explained that the Kingdom’s participation in such events contribute to give the true picture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its culture and national heritage. He went on to say that tourism is one of the most promising opportunities through the current national transformation initiatives.
The Kingdom’s pavilion witnessed the presence of visitors from all over the world, especially from those who want to identify more investment opportunities at Saudi airports.
He pointed out that GACA participation is a perfect opportunity to brief visitors from all over the world about the development of civil aviation in the Kingdom.
The world Trade Market Fair, which is held in London, is being attended by 186 countries who are offering programs and opportunities related to tourism.
The fair includes pavilions specializing in travel, tourism, investment, aviation, air transport, travel technology and other area of interests.
The estimated number of visitors at the fair exceeded 60,000 annually, which included businessmen, investors and professionals in the travel, tourism and transport industries.
The participation of GACA as part of the Saudi Pavilion is organized by the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage, which also includes several government and private entities.
Saudi envoy visits GACA pavilion at World Travel Market Fair
Saudi envoy visits GACA pavilion at World Travel Market Fair
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
