Doha Hosts GCC Workshop to Develop Strategy Against Cybercrime and AI-Related Crimes

Doha is hosting a three-day Gulf workshop focused on developing a joint GCC strategy to combat cybercrime and crimes involving artificial intelligence, as regional authorities seek stronger coordination against rapidly evolving digital threats.

The workshop began in the Qatari capital on August 24, 2026, hosted by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior and organised by the GCC Secretariat-General in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Representatives from GCC countries are participating alongside cybersecurity specialists and experts, with discussions focused on strengthening regional security cooperation and improving the ability of Gulf states to prevent, investigate and respond to emerging forms of cybercrime.

AI-Enabled Crime Among Key Concerns

Rapid advances in artificial intelligence are creating significant opportunities for governments and businesses, but they are also introducing new security challenges.

Criminals can increasingly exploit advanced technologies for sophisticated fraud, identity theft, social engineering, manipulation of digital content and other forms of cybercrime.

The Doha workshop is therefore examining ways GCC security agencies can strengthen their capabilities to deal with crimes in which AI and other emerging technologies are used.

Participants are discussing how modern technologies themselves can also be deployed to detect, investigate and prevent cybercrime.

Gulf States Seek Unified Cybercrime Framework

One of the central objectives of the workshop is to develop a unified Gulf framework for addressing cybercrime.

The discussions include mechanisms for improving cooperation between GCC security authorities and ensuring that countries can respond more effectively when digital crimes cross national borders.

Key areas under discussion include:

•    Developing a common Gulf strategy against cybercrime
•    Addressing crimes involving artificial intelligence
•    Strengthening cybercrime investigations
•    Improving technical capabilities
•    Increasing information-sharing between GCC countries
•    Facilitating cross-border exchange of digital evidence
•    Using modern technologies to prevent and investigate cyber offences

The regional nature of cybercrime makes this cooperation increasingly important, as offenders, victims, digital infrastructure and evidence can often be located in several different jurisdictions.

Digital Evidence Exchange in Focus

The exchange of digital evidence is another major focus of the workshop.

Unlike many conventional crimes, cybercrime investigations frequently depend on electronic records, online communications, account information and other digital material that may be stored outside the country where an offence took place.

Creating more efficient mechanisms for exchanging such evidence between GCC states could help investigators respond faster and build stronger cases against perpetrators.

The workshop is examining how Gulf authorities can improve coordination in this area while strengthening their broader investigative capabilities.

Qatar Calls for Proactive Gulf Security Vision

Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Al Jufairi, Director-General of Criminal Investigation at Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, stressed the importance of developing a collective Gulf strategy capable of responding to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

He highlighted the need to strengthen coordination, information exchange and technical capabilities among GCC countries.

According to Al Jufairi, the initiative should go beyond simply producing a strategy document.

The objective is to create a unified Gulf security vision that can be implemented and measured, while anticipating future risks and improving the preparedness of security agencies across the region.

This approach is particularly important as artificial intelligence changes the nature and speed of certain types of cybercrime.

Building Readiness Before Threats Emerge

The workshop is placing significant emphasis on proactive security.

Rather than responding only after cyber incidents occur, authorities are looking at ways of anticipating emerging criminal techniques and developing the necessary technical and investigative capabilities in advance.

This could help GCC security agencies adapt more quickly as technologies change and new forms of digital crime emerge.

A shared regional strategy could also help ensure that different Gulf countries maintain compatible approaches to investigation, cooperation and information-sharing.

Qatar Strengthens Cooperation With UN Cybercrime Experts

The workshop also reflects Qatar’s broader cooperation with international organisations in tackling transnational crime.

In July 2026, Qatar’s General Directorate of Criminal Investigation received a delegation from the UNODC Regional Centre for Combating Cybercrime in Doha.

The meeting examined ways to expand cooperation against organised and transnational crime, including the exchange of expertise and international best practices.

Such cooperation provides Gulf security agencies with access to international experience while supporting the development of regional capabilities.

Workshop Follows GCC Interior Ministers’ Recommendations

The Doha workshop is being held in implementation of decisions and recommendations from the 42nd meeting of GCC Interior Ministers.

It forms part of wider Gulf security initiatives intended to strengthen integration and coordination among GCC countries when confronting emerging crimes and security challenges.

Cybercrime has become an increasingly important area for regional cooperation because digital networks do not follow national borders.

Joint frameworks can help Gulf countries coordinate investigations, share intelligence and respond more effectively to threats that affect several states simultaneously.

AI Adds a New Dimension to Cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence is expected to become an increasingly important component of cybersecurity on both sides of the equation.

Security agencies can use AI to analyse large volumes of data, detect unusual patterns and identify potential threats more quickly.

At the same time, criminals can potentially use similar technologies to make fraudulent activity more sophisticated, automate certain attacks or create convincing false digital content.

The challenge for governments is therefore to keep their investigative methods, legislation and technical expertise evolving at a pace that matches technological development.

Three Days of Regional Security Discussions

The workshop will continue for three days, giving participating experts and officials an opportunity to develop recommendations that could contribute to the proposed Gulf strategy.

The discussions are expected to help establish common priorities for cooperation while identifying practical mechanisms for information exchange, digital investigation and preparedness against AI-related threats.

By bringing together GCC authorities, technical specialists and international partners in Doha, the initiative represents another step toward creating a coordinated Gulf response to the changing landscape of cybercrime.

Workshop at a Glance

Event: Workshop on Preparing the Gulf Strategy to Combat Cybercrime and AI-Related Crimes
Location: Doha, Qatar
Opening date: August 24, 2026
Duration: Three days
Host: Qatar Ministry of Interior
Organiser: GCC Secretariat-General
International partner: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Participants: GCC representatives, cybercrime experts and specialists
Main focus: Cybercrime, AI-enabled crime, digital evidence and regional security cooperation