On October 6, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation America and Research ICT Africa, hosted a virtual “Roundtable on Implementing Digital Transformation – A Case for Cyber Cooperation.” Participants explored the imperative of inclusive digital transformation and the associated security implications and risks of digitalization in Southern Africa.
Panelists and participants discussed a wide range of aspects related to the intersection of digital transformation and cyber stability, including cyber diplomacy and United Nations negotiations, the difficulty of building trust, and the challenges associated with ensuring that government-enabled digital transformation is inclusive and manages downsides that may come as a result. Bruce W. McConnell, Distinguished Fellow at ORF America, moderated the event. A summary of the meeting can be found at the bottom of the page, along with a video recording of the event.
Featured Speakers
Nozipho Mxakato-Diseko, Deputy Director-General, Global Governance and Continental Agenda, Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa.
Nathalie Jaarsma, Ambassador-at-Large, Security Policy and Cyber, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
Anriette Esterhuysen, Chair, Multistakeholder Advisory Group, Internet Governance Forum.
Kaleem Ahmed Usmani, Head, CERT Mauritius.
Chris Painter, President, Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) Foundation.
Moliehi Makumane, Researcher, UNIDIR; Former South African Expert to the UN Group of Governmental Experts and Open-ended Working Group.
Katherine Getao, Former CEO, ICT Authority of Kenya.
Enrico Calandro, Senior Research Associate, Research ICT Africa