Today the Ministry of E-Governance held a conference under the theme "Cyber Security in the Age of AI: Building Belize's Capacity to Prevent, Protect, and Recover from Cybersecurity Threats with Conventional and AI Enhanced Tools". It brought together local officials and international partners, namely Taiwan and the US to address growing concerns around data protection. Jaleeza Roberts found that there was also the subtext of a concern about mainland China dabbling in Belize's information infrastructure:
Belize is stepping up efforts to strengthen its cyber defenses as the Ministry of E-Governance hosts a national conference focused on cybersecurity in the age of artificial intelligence. CEO Jose Urbina, said the event forms part of the government's wider public stakeholder engagement on digital transformation:
Jose Urbina, CEO - Ministry E-Governance
"We're having a cybersecurity conference, it's a topic of great importance for us here in Belize and as you all know we've been doing public stakeholder engagements. One of the biggest questions we often get is how do we protect citizen data. Hence the reason this is one of the initiatives we're doing in country, of course with the Ministry of E-governance under the prime minister leading the initiative here with great partners of course, our partners is the US government and also Taiwan, ICDF fund to ensure that we have the international touch as it relates to cybersecurity and also to boost capacity in country."
Urbina explained that Belize currently manages significant amounts of citizen information and that safeguarding that data is critical to building public confidence in digital government services:
Jose Urbina, CEO - Ministry E-Governance
"We do realize that we host a lot of citizen data but we also need to be cognizant that we need to take the necessary steps to protect that data and ofcourse protecting the data also means that we build trust with the citizenry and there's a further optic of digital services in country."
Taiwan's ambassador to Belize, Amino Chi, highlighted the long-standing partnership with Belize in digital development:
H.E Amino C.Y Chi, Taiwan Ambassador
"In recent years Taiwan has been honored to support Belize's digital development initiatives through technical cooperation, knowledge exchange and institutional partnerships. We are encouraged by Belizean's commitment to advance e-governance and digital public service to better serve its people. Taiwan believes that digital transformation can enhance transparency, efficiency, inclusiveness and economic opportunities opportunity. All at the same time however digital advancement must be accompanied by strong cybersecurity protection."
And while Taiwan always holds the banner of friendship to Belize, on this day the elephant in the room is mainland China. US Charge d'Affaires Katharine Beamer emphasized the geopolitical significance of cyber infrastructure and keeping China out of Belize's IT space:
Katharine Beamer, US Charge d'Affaires
"We will not allow non-hemispheric competitors to control strategically vital assets, including Belize's cyber infrastructure and digital sovereignty. We are not interested in programs that look good on paper but don't accomplish anything. We're here for results. We want a Belize that can detect, prevent, and recover from cyber incidents, now and in the future. You will hear from the experts, Belizean officials who understand the threat landscape, Taiwan specialists with AI-enhanced security solutions, and U.S. private sector leaders and academics with proven capabilities."
"American policy should focus on enlisting regional champions that can help create tolerable stability in the region. Belize is that champion. You are taking responsibility for your own cybersecurity, and we're proud to stand with you as you build resilient cyber defenses."
The conference will continue tomorrow. Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
