Courtesy: [Top left] H.E Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of UAE Cybersecurity Council, speaking at the opening of GISEC Global 2025 [Top right] CEO of NCSA Mr. David Kanamugire met with ITU BDT Director Dr. Cosmas Zavazava [Bottom left]  GISEC Global 2025 Exhibition area [Bottom right] GISEC Global 2025 Cyber Drill.

From 6–8 May, NCSA participated in GISEC Global 2025 hosted by the UAE Cybersecurity Council, to discuss cooperation strategies for ensuring global cyber resilience in an era of rapidly evolving digital threats.

The 14th edition of the conference held at the Dubai World Trade Center, brought together more than 25,000 participants from over 160 countries, including government officials, cybersecurity experts, and private sector leaders.

This year’s GISEC Global emphasized the growing role of artificial intelligence in both enabling and combating cyber threats. Sessions addressed the emergence of AI-driven ransomware, the need for adaptive and harmonized regulatory frameworks, and the importance of workforce development to bridge skills gaps in cybersecurity.

NCSA contributed to four expert panel discussions exploring key issues such as national cybersecurity governance, cyber resilience across Africa, international innovation, and the development of frameworks to support secure digital transformation. The sessions enabled dialogue on policy coordination, regulatory challenges, and opportunities for cooperation across regions and continents.

In parallel with the panel sessions, NCSA joined the 2025 Global Cyber Drill—a large-scale exercise convening over 130 national cybersecurity agencies and incident response teams. Organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the UAE Cyber Security Council (CSC), the drill aimed to enhance global readiness and strengthen collaboration against cross-border cyber threats through simulated real-time incidents.

As part of its participation, NCSA also engaged in bilateral meetings with key international partners. Discussions with Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, focused on cybersecurity capacity building and knowledge sharing. A separate meeting with H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, explored mutual areas of cooperation in national cybersecurity development and resilience.

Through its engagement at GISEC Global 2025, NCSA reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to regional and international cybersecurity cooperation. As digital threats grow in complexity—driven by rapid technological change—such forums provide critical opportunities to strengthen shared resilience, build capacity, and shape inclusive, secure digital futures.