ABU DHABI, 6th May, 2025 (WAM) -- International experts participating in the "Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit 2025" affirmed that the United Arab Emirates is a global hub for cybersecurity and advanced technology partnerships, citing the country's advanced digital and regulatory infrastructure and its strategic location, making it a launchpad for international business expansion.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the summit, held in Abu Dhabi on 5-6 May, participants said the event provides a vital platform for deep discussions and potential partnerships.

They highlighted the summit's role in strengthening public-private cooperation, exchanging knowledge, and addressing growing cybersecurity challenges while building more inclusive and sustainable technological ecosystems.

Ned Farhat, Founder and Director of Australia-based digital forensics and cybersecurity consultancy "CyberSage", said the UAE's geographic and economic position makes it ideal for spearheading global cooperation against financial crimes and cyber threats.

He revealed the company is currently in talks with Emirati entities to open a local office to provide specialised services in digital investigations and AI-driven cybersecurity systems, adding that the UAE offers a strategic base to expand into the wider region.

Farhat emphasised the summit's value in enabling discussions on cross-border financial crimes and stressed that international collaboration is essential in tackling complex cyber threats.

Tim Theuri, Executive Head of Cybersecurity of M-PESA Africa, described the summit as a key platform for knowledge sharing in fintech and data protection, underscoring the need to transfer lessons from the summit to Africa to boost data security for customers and partners.

M-PESA, one of Africa's largest digital financial service providers with over 61 million subscribers in 11 countries, aims to deepen financial inclusion through innovation. Theuri said the UAE's experience in cybersecurity legislation and regulation offers a model to emulate, noting that cybersecurity remains central to sustainable expansion in light of modern tech risks and increased data reliance.

Janne Hirvimies, Chief Technology Officer at QuantumGate, a company specialising in post-quantum cryptography (PQC), noted that the UAE is among the first countries alongside the US to establish regulatory frameworks for PQC. This, he said, highlights its leadership in cutting-edge encryption technologies.

He added that the company is working with the Technology Innovation Institute in Abu Dhabi to develop data security and encryption solutions, stressing the need to raise institutional awareness about post-quantum risks and build robust frameworks for managing encrypted assets.

QuantumGate has developed a first-of-its-kind technology that allows organisations to map and manage their encryption assets efficiently. Other solutions developed address secure communications and data protection tailored to the requirements of cybersecurity in the post-quantum era.