Digital Resilience is Key to Safeguarding Digital Sovereignty, Says DCO Secretary-General

Riyadh, December 08, 2024, SPA -- Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) Secretary-General Deemah AlYahya recently delivered a lecture at Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies here, and said that digital technologies today are not only tools for communication and enhancing efficiency, but also fundamental drivers that shape international policy strategies.
Digital technologies, she added, strengthen digital resilience and self-sufficiency, both essential to safeguarding digital sovereignty and ensuring that nations can make independent decisions to shape their futures within the global digital economy.
Titled "Digital Transformation and Contemporary Diplomacy", the lecture was attended by heads of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to the Kingdom.
AlYahya elaborated on the complementary relationship between technology and diplomacy, and stressed that this link presents both opportunities and challenges, noting that technology can serve as a catalyst for cooperation, innovation, and economic growth, but, at the same time, may exacerbate conflicts and impact security and peace.
She addressed various aspects of digital diplomacy, saying that digital sovereignty hinges on the resilience of the digital economy, a nation's self-reliance on its digital infrastructure, the safeguarding of its data, and control over its technologies, which enable nations to make decisions free from external interference, and that represents a critical step toward bolstering national security and innovation, while ensuring full control over digital resources, to adapt to global changes.
She also highlighted the growing threats in the digital world, such as unexpected disruptions, cyberattacks, and misinformation, emphasizing that they pose real risks to regional and international security.
AlYahya proposed strategies to counter these threats, including increased international digital cooperation, legal and regulatory frameworks, and encouraging local technological innovations to boost digital resilience and reinforce digital sovereignty.
She pointed to Saudi Arabia as a practical example of leveraging technology to transform the economy and enhance the country’s global leadership, through Saudi Vision 2030 and other ambitious projects, commending the Kingdom's strategies related to data and AI.
She highlighted various international case studies, noting that the darker side of the digital age can give rise to challenges such as cyberattacks. She urged nations to adopt innovative and collaborative solutions, and emphasized that building a secure digital environment is a shared responsibility that requires coordinated strategies.
She also called for the adoption of international treaties and charters that recognize the need for cooperation, strengthen digital resilience, and protect nations' digital sovereignty.
AlYahya emphasized the pivotal role of diplomacy in advancing international digital cooperation and maintaining global security, enabling societies to capitalize on promising opportunities in the digital economy while mitigating its risks.
DCO is a global multilateral organization founded in November 2020. It consists of 16 member states collectively representing more than $3.5 trillion in GDP and a population of over 800 million, 70% of whom are under the age of 35.
DCO aims to enable digital prosperity for all by unifying efforts to advance digital transformation and promote common interests.
-- SPA