GISEC Global, the Middle East and Africa’s largest cybersecurity event, has announced the launch of the Cyber Diplomacy Forum, a high-level platform debuting at GISEC Global 2026. The initiative highlights the growing role of cybersecurity in diplomacy, international trade, and national security decision-making.

The announcement followed an invitation-only Cyber Envoys’ Breakfast Briefing in Abu Dhabi on 29 January, which convened more than 140 diplomats, including 32 ambassadors, trade attachés, and senior representatives from international missions and business councils in the UAE. Among the attendees were India’s Ambassador Deepak Mittal, European Union Ambassador Lucie Berger, and Egypt’s Ambassador Essam Ashour. The briefing gave participants an early insight into the Forum’s objectives ahead of its formal debut.

Developed in collaboration with the UAE Cybersecurity Council and powered by DAAKYI, the Cyber Diplomacy Forum is designed as a dedicated space for governments, multilateral institutions, and the private sector to address cross-border cyber risks. As cyber incidents increasingly disrupt global supply chains, financial systems, and critical infrastructure, the Forum positions cybersecurity as a key enabler of economic stability, trade confidence, and international cooperation.

GISEC Global 2026 will also introduce the International Cyber Zone, featuring more than 20 country pavilions, including Australia, Singapore, and South Korea. The zone will showcase national cybersecurity capabilities, policy priorities, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration, reinforcing GISEC Global as a convening platform for government-led engagement.

The Forum will focus on the intersection of cybersecurity and diplomacy, including the role of cyber policy in trade relations, public-private coordination on cross-border threats, and shared approaches to cyber resilience in a fragmented digital landscape. African participation is expected from more than 12 countries, led by DAAKYI Secure Africa based in Ghana, reflecting the continent’s growing role in global cyber policy.

Alex Nicholl, Vice President of New Industries at Dubai World Trade Centre, which organises GISEC Global, said: “Cybersecurity has moved beyond the IT department and into the heart of diplomacy, trade, and national security. The Cyber Diplomacy Forum reflects a shift in how governments are engaging with cyber risk – as a strategic and economic issue requiring coordinated international dialogue.”

GISEC Global 2026 will take place from 5–7 May at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai, bringing together policymakers, CISOs, technology professionals, startups, and investors from over 160 countries.

Key points:

• GISEC Global 2026 launches the Cyber Diplomacy Forum to address cross-border cyber risks.
• International Cyber Zone will feature over 20 country pavilions showcasing cybersecurity capabilities.

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