SADC Ministers Address Cybersecurity and Climate Change Challenges

The SADC is convening in Harare to discuss leveraging ICT for climate change and enhancing cybersecurity in the face of rising threats. Recent floods in member states underline the urgency of these issues, which are central to the discussions. The meeting will review various ICT initiatives, including the National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP) and cybersecurity frameworks.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is prioritizing the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to address the challenges posed by climate change. Concurrently, the SADC is also focusing on enhancing cybersecurity measures to counteract rising threats within the region’s cyber space. These vital topics will dominate the discussions during the ongoing SADC Cluster Meeting of Senior Officials in Harare, Zimbabwe.

This meeting brings together ministers responsible for transportation, ICT, information, and meteorology from the SADC’s 16 member states. Recently, countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Madagascar, and Zambia have experienced devastating floods, highlighting the urgent need to address climate change-related emergencies. The SADC’s Model National Emergency Telecommunications Plan (NETP) aims to mitigate these disasters as key agenda items.

Dr. Beullah Chirume, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of ICT, stated, “In the region, we have had quite a number of severe disasters due to the changing environment due to the weather.” She emphasized the role of telecommunications in raising awareness and providing critical information during such disasters. Zimbabwe has already implemented the NETP, becoming a leader among member states in this regard.

Dr. Chirume also drew attention to the escalating issue of cybercrime, which is being addressed through the SADC Harmonised Cybersecurity Framework. She noted, “Following the SADC model on cyber, we have also domesticated. Soon, we will be revising that to ensure it aligns with current development in the cyber space.” This adaptation is necessary as emerging technologies are increasingly vulnerable to various cyber threats.

The cluster meeting will also review reports on several important SADC ICT initiatives, including the NETP, Shared Satellite System, Regional Computer Incident Response Team, Harmonised Cybersecurity Framework, Internet Exchange Points, Roaming Project, and the Radio Frequency Spectrum Allocation Plan.

In summary, the SADC Cluster Meeting in Harare addresses critical issues of climate change and cybersecurity. The integration of ICT is deemed essential for disaster mitigation, particularly following recent environmental crises. Moreover, the need for robust cybersecurity measures is recognized as emerging technology increases vulnerabilities. The outcomes of this meeting are likely to advance regional cooperation in both areas.

Original Source: itweb.africa