Foreign Secretary inaugurates five-day Cyber Capacity Building Program in Islamabad

Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch Monday inaugurated a five-day Cyber Capacity Building and Policy Training Program in Islamabad, aimed at strengthening national capabilities to address evolving cyber threats and governance challenges in cyberspace, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The program is being organised in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) with the support of Global Affairs Canada, and is being held from January 12 to 16, 2026. It is being conducted in close coordination with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the foreign secretary underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity for national stability, international peace and security, and sustainable development.

She highlighted Pakistan’s active engagement in multilateral processes related to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) security, particularly under the United Nations framework on responsible state behaviour in cyberspace.

Amina Baloch also discussed key aspects of international cooperation in cyberspace, including international law, voluntary norms, confidence-building measures and capacity-building initiatives. She said that comprehensive international cooperation was essential to effectively address shared cyber challenges faced by states.

Other speakers at the event included UNIDIR Director Robin Geiss, Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Tariq Ali Khan, and UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan Muhammad Yahya.

The speakers emphasised the importance of international collaboration and capacity building in the cyber sector, highlighting the value of policy-based training combined with practical exercises.

They also underlined the need to enhance state capabilities to counter a wide range of cyber threats, including cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure.

The program brings together policymakers, technical experts and academics from relevant national institutions. It features expert-led sessions, scenario-based discussions and tabletop exercises focusing on cyber threats, emerging technologies, cybercrime, incident response mechanisms and international cooperation frameworks.