International experts participating in the Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit 2025 affirmed that the UAE 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 an ideal launchpad for international business expansion.
On the sidelines of the summit, participants said the event provides a vital platform for deep discussions and potential partnerships. They also 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.
Australian cybersecurity firm seeks UAE expansion
Ned Farhat, founder and director of Australia-based digital forensics and cybersecurity consultancy CyberSage, told WAM that the UAE’s geographic and economic position makes it ideal for spearheading global cooperation against financial crimes and cyber threats.
He also revealed the company is currently in talks with Emirati entities to open a local office to provide specialized services in digital investigations and AI-driven cybersecurity systems, adding that the UAE offers a strategic base to expand into the wider region.
Meanwhile, 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.
Encrypted asset management in focus
For his part, Janne Hirvimies, chief technology officer at QuantumGate, noted that the UAE is among the first countries, alongside the U.S., 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 organizations 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.
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Shaping responsible tech governance
The inaugural Governance of Emerging Technologies Summit (GETS 2025) recently kicked off in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court.
The landmark summit is the first-of-its-kind regional gathering that brings together policymakers, legal experts, technologists and youth leaders to define the frameworks for responsible governance of advanced technologies. The summit tackled key issues shaping the digital future, including AI ethics, cross-border data governance, cybersecurity resilience and post-quantum security.
GETS 2025 also hosted dynamic sessions on the critical role of youth in shaping digital governance, structural challenges of autonomous systems, digital rights protection and the impact of AI on data privacy. Experts explored the cyber risks of emerging technologies and emphasized the need for coordinated action among governments, technology developers and society to build a fairer, more secure digital future.
