On October 22 in Singapore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Special Representative for Digital Affairs, Viktors Makarovs, participated in the inauguration event of the international project “Capacity Building in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence.”
The Multilateral Partnership Cooperation Agreement (MPCA) for participation in the international project “Capacity Building in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence” was already signed in July by CFCA as Latvia’s development cooperation agency. The project, co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), is aimed at improving cybersecurity and artificial intelligence capacity in partner countries. It covers a wide range of partner countries from the Asia-Pacific region, Eastern and Southern neighboring regions, Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and the Western Balkans. The total project budget is €4,300,000, of which CFCA component is €300,000, and it will be implemented over 30 months, starting from July 23 of this year until December 31, 2027.
The project’s goal is to improve the security of partner countries by increasing their capabilities in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, supporting the application of legislation to modern digital challenges and tasks. Within the project, three main results are planned: to improve the protection of critical digital infrastructure by promoting closer cooperation between the public and private sectors; to strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange between European Union (EU) member states and partner countries in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence; and to improve the knowledge and skills of women working in these fields, thereby promoting a more inclusive and diverse digital environment.
“European Union capabilities and solutions in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence are in demand worldwide. By providing practical support to others, the EU strengthens both its global leadership and values. Hopefully, involvement in this multilateral project will not only demonstrate the capabilities of Latvia’s public administration institutions and private businesses in the digital field but also encourage them to look even more actively at cooperation and business opportunities worldwide,” said Makarovs.
The involvement of Latvian experts in this project demonstrates our extensive experience in cybersecurity.
As Central Finance and Contracting Agency Director Anita Krūmiņa points out: “Latvian cybersecurity experts, being neighbors to Russia and Belarus, have broad experience and knowledge to defend against growing and changing cyber threats. We can use this knowledge to help improve governance, resilience, and the ability to fight cybercrime in other countries as well.”
Based on the delegation provided in the International Assistance Law, CFCA has been performing the functions of Latvia’s development cooperation agency since January 1, 2022.