The panel aimed to showcase and discuss the vision of the digitalization of the Dominican Republic and in the broader region, highlighting tangible actions already underway. Throughout the discussions, the pivotal role of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance was emphasized. This bi-regional mechanism not only strengthens and reinforces the EU’s political commitment to Latin America and the Caribbean region, but also provides a strategic framework for cooperation on broad spectrum of digital issues such as connectivity, data governance, e-governance and cybersecurity.

A significant aspect of this cooperation is the Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre (LAC4). LAC4 Center is positioned as a complementary avenue for the effective implementation of cybersecurity measures, and LAC4 has committed to several key objectives to support the region:

• Strengthening Cyber Diplomacy: By enhancing capabilities and promoting closer bi-regional coordination, we can build a more robust framework for addressing cyber threats.
• Fortifying National Cyber Ecosystems: This involves not only strengthening individual national capabilities but also promoting triangular cooperation to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive approach.
• Boosting Critical Infrastructure Resilience: Ensuring that societies are protected and can fully benefit from a human-centered digital transformation is paramount. This requires resilient infrastructure that can withstand and recover from cyber-attacks

The Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre (LAC4) serves as a critical nexus, bringing together the EU and LAC regions with a unified objective: to confront the growing threat of cyber-attacks through capacity building and cooperation.

Panel was attended by José David Montilla (Viceminister of Digital Agenda of the Ministry of the Presidency), Mahdi Safa (Country Manager, Ericsson), Manuel Fernelis Ogando (Central American Bank of Investment), and César Moline (Policy Lead, EU CyberNet  and LAC4).

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBtvyP