The Arab ICT Organization Concludes “Digital Trust and Security Days 2024”
Tunis, 4 December 2024 – The Arab ICT Organization (AICTO) concluded the activities of “Digital Trust and Security Days 2024”, held on December 3–4 at the Royal ASBU Hotel in Tunis. The event was organized under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Sofiene Hemissi, Minister of Communication Technologies of the Republic of Tunisia, in collaboration with the National Agency for Cyber Safety and with the support of its strategic partners: Huawei Technologies and Sama Partners.
The official high-level opening ceremony of Digital Trust and Security Days 2024 was presided over by His Excellency Mr. Sofiene Hemissi. The event saw the distinguished participation of high-level delegations from 18 Arab countries, including the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Republic of Tunisia, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Iraq, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Palestine, the State of Qatar, the State of Libya, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and the Republic of Yemen.
The International Forum for Cybersecurity held as part of this event, brought together dignitaries, directors of Arab and regional organizations, industry leaders, policymakers, academics, researchers, and prominent international experts in cybersecurity and digital trust. Participants included representatives from the International Telecommunication Union, Germany, the European Union, Canada, and South Korea.
Forum Theme and Objectives
The fourth edition of the International Forum for Cybersecurity was held under the theme “Cyber Trust and Security: Pioneering Innovations and Strategies for a Safer Digital Future.” It provided a unique platform to explore advanced technical solutions and develop innovative strategies for addressing emerging challenges and ensuring the protection of the digital environment across the Arab region.
Key Opening Remarks
His Excellency Eng. Mohamed Ben Amor, Director General of AICTO, inaugurated the forum with a welcoming speech, expressing gratitude to the distinguished guests, speakers, and attendees for their contributions. He emphasized the critical importance of cybersecurity in AICTO’s mission and highlighted the organization’s dedicated program for cybersecurity, developed in cooperation with regional and international partners.
“Cybersecurity is no longer an option but a necessity to ensure stability and safeguard resources in the era of digital transformation,” he stated. He further stressed the importance of investing in human resources, modernizing legislation, and enhancing regional and international cooperation to tackle growing and cross-border cyber threats effectively.
His Excellency Mr. Sofiene Hemissi commended AICTO for its efforts to unify and advance Arab cooperation in the digital domain, particularly through the preparation of the Arab Cybersecurity Strategy, adopted by the Arab ICT Ministers’s Council. He congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its leadership in this initiative.
His Excellency the Minister underscored the critical need to raise awareness about the severity of cyber threats in the Arab region, particularly in light of the shared challenges and risks associated with digital transformation and globalization. He further emphasized Tunisia’s dedication to safeguarding children from online dangers and upholding the cohesion and resilience of Arab families in the digital era.
Dr. Hussein Al-Suwaidi, Vice President of the League of Arab States Center in Tunisia, expressed appreciation for AICTO’s significant efforts in promoting the reliability and security of the Arab digital space. He reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to address the challenges of rapid digital transformations.
Mr. Yao Qingtian, Cybersecurity and Privacy Officer at Huawei North Africa, emphasized the transformative impact of technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. He highlighted the growing responsibilities of companies in managing cybersecurity risks and aligning security with core business strategies. He reiterated Huawei’s dedication to fostering digital trust and cybersecurity in the Arab region.
Program Highlights
The forum’s first day focused on strategies and trends for a safer digital future. A high-level session included participation from His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Abdel Hafez, President of the Supreme Council for Cybersecurity in Egypt, Mr. Rafik Al-Ajmi, Director of the NISSA Office in Libya, and Eng. Saqr bin Saeed Al-Harthy, Advisor to the Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority in Saudi Arabia. Panelists shared national experiences and visions, emphasizing the importance of strengthening regional cooperation to ensure long-term digital trust and stability.
A keynote lecture, “Building Cyber Resilient Countries,” outlined steps to enhance national cybersecurity, including protecting critical infrastructure, formulating effective policies, and fostering international collaboration.
The second day focused on innovation in cybersecurity and digital trust. Dr. Bilel Jamoussi, Deputy Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau at ITU, delivered a keynote lecture on emerging technologies, challenges, and strategies for building resilience in the digital era.
A panel discussion on “Emerging Technologies and Strategic Insights for Cybersecurity and Digital Trust” explored advancements such as AI-driven threat detection, blockchain security, and zero-trust architecture. Discussions emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions to protect critical infrastructure, enhance user trust, and ensure sustainable cybersecurity.
Concurrent Events
AICTO also hosted the 18th meeting of the Arab Working Group for Internet Affairs and the second meeting of the Coordination Group for ICT organizations, fostering regional dialogue on key digital issues.
Recommendations
The forum concluded with the following recommendations:
- Strengthening regional cooperation for unified cyber threat intelligence platforms.
- Investing in AI and cybersecurity research to enhance Arab digital sovereignty.
- Establishing frameworks for Arab data governance and localization.
- Promoting public-private partnerships to drive innovation and capacity building.
- Developing flexible regulatory frameworks to support secure digital transformation.
Closing Note
AICTO extended its sincere thanks to all speakers, participants, partners, and media representatives for their contributions to the success of the event.
