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The Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) has entered into a joint cooperation agreement with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for digital technologies, aimed at enhancing digital resilience. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26), hosted at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center until November 27.

This partnership focuses on developing proactive scenarios for digital pandemics and creating practical solutions that empower civil society to counter them and mitigate their impacts. The move aligns with the Center’s ongoing efforts to expand its international partnership network and achieve the objectives of the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy.

Signing Ceremony and Official Attendance

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Electronic Security Center, and Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), representing the UAE at the conference; His Excellency Saeed Abdullah Al Qamzi, UAE Ambassador to Qatar; and Tomas Lamanauskas, Deputy Secretary-General of the ITU.

The Plenipotentiary Conference serves as the highest policy-making body of the ITU and convenes every four years with the participation of its 194 Member States.

Key Pillars of Joint Action

The implementation of the agreement is anchored in two main strategic tracks:

Analyzing Emerging Digital Risks: Building upon the findings of the "When Digital Systems Fail" report, jointly issued by the ITU and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), to assess threats to critical digital infrastructure. This includes risks stemming from armed conflicts, cyberattacks, natural disasters, and disruptions to submarine cables and satellite systems.

Translating Research into Actionable Policies: Activating the role of the Global Forum on Digital Resilience—which brings together policymakers, experts, and academics—to formulate practical policy recommendations and guidelines that support the sustainability of digital systems.

International Praise for the UAE’s Role in Safeguarding Cyberspace

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, emphasized that the world’s growing reliance on digital infrastructure necessitates fortifying it. She noted that joint preparedness ensures people remain connected during crises, commending the Dubai Electronic Security Center’s contribution to supporting the Union's critical risk management efforts.

For his part, His Excellency Yousuf Hamad Al Shaibani stated that the agreement establishes a practical framework for empowering civil society. He pointed out that simulating digital pandemic scenarios gives individuals and institutions the opportunity for advance training and translates plans into tangible actions, reinforcing Dubai's standing as a trusted international partner in cyberspace security.

Meanwhile, His Excellency Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of TDRA, stressed that the security and continuity of digital infrastructure represent a shared global responsibility that requires shifting from reactive responses to proactive readiness and cross-border cooperation. He added that this partnership embodies the UAE’s vision of building a resilient global ecosystem capable of accelerating recovery from large-scale disruptions, ensuring a safe and sustainable digital future for all.