NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili opened the Georgia Cybersecurity Forum 2023, organized by the Office of the National Security Council, with a welcome speech.

The Head of Government of Georgia, cyber security is one of the key challenges of the 21st century and cyber dimension has at large become an organic part of modern civilization and technological advancement. He also believes that it is critical for the operation of public institutions and the economy of the country.

“One of the parts in the operation of our country as an economic hub is a digital hub. You may well be aware that we are developing a relevant infrastructure and technologic connections with Europe and this forum is a sign of the focus made by the Government of Georgia on this topic” stated the Prime Minister of Georgia.

Irakli Garibashvili elaborated on the role of cyber security in the political realm of Georgia.

“As for the role of cyber security in the political realm of Georgia, I wish to say a few words about it. Our society, economy of our country, its education system and public services, as well as the performance of the Government of Georgia or daily life of regular people are closely linked with digital technologies. Georgia is part of the technologically advanced world and is facing similar cyber threats. Naturally, we have conceptualized it well and ensuring cyber security is critical both for the security of the state, as well as for the normal functioning of businesses and the general public. Cyber security is one of the key directions of the national security sector of Georgia and the Government makes significant strides towards this end through joint cross-government efforts, as well as in cooperation with international partners” stated the Head of Government of Georgia.

According to Irakli Garibashvili, Georgia achieved substantial results in terms of cyber security in recent years.

Minister of Internal Affairs and Secretary of the National Security Council - Vakhtang Gomelauri, also addressed the forum participants with welcoming remarks.

"Our goal is to further enhance cooperation with strategic partners through the forum and promote dialogue on critically important issues in this area.

Cyber security is an integral part of contemporary technological world that plays one of the most important roles in the field of national security.

We have agencies with a mandate to ensure cyber security of state resources or sectors of the economy. Within the given mandate, each agency is actively working to respond to cyber security challenges. In 2021, the national cyber security strategy of Georgia was adopted and the process of implementing the action plan is actively in progress, in which our international partners are actively involved along with the Georgian side.

Within the framework of Substantial NATO-Georgia package and the relevant programs of the European Union, the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Georgia actively cooperates with strategic partners in the field of cyber security.

The United Kingdom-Georgia cyber cooperation program is outstanding, actively assisting various agencies of Georgia in capacity building.

We closely cooperate with the US side and receive both technical and technological support. Cooperation with the European Union within the framework of various programs, aimed at strengthening the capabilities of Georgian agencies, should also be emphasized," - stated Vakhtang Gomelauri.

Forum participants and attendees were also addressed by heads of institutions related to cyber security: Juansher Burchuladze, Minister of Defense of Georgia; Rati Bregadze, Minister of Justice of Georgia; Grigol Liluashvili, Head of State Security Service of Georgia. Audience gathered at the Forum listened to Governor Seyfullah Hacimüftüoğlu, Secretary General of the National Security Council of the Republic of Turkey; video address from Leo Docherty, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Europe and H.E. Mark Clayton, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Georgia.

Forum is aimed at sharing information about the current challenges and modern approaches in cyber security, thereby strengthening the positioning of Georgia through a cyber component of international interaction.

Following key topics will be discussed at the Cyber Security Forum: capacity building in cyber security, key challenges in strengthening cyber resilience, global picture of cyber security, cyber diplomacy and international cooperation, vision of the Black Sea towards cyber security, modern technologies and cyber security.

Officials from public institutions of Georgia engaged in ensuring the cyber security are participating in the event, along with foreign experts from partner countries and organizations (NATO, EU, OSCE, Turkey, Poland, Romania, Estonia, Ukraine, USA, UK, International Telecommunication Union and Global Forum on Cyber- Expertise), as well as the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia.

Cybersecurity Forum will last for two days.