Qatar underlined that cybercrime and piracy constitute a significant proportion of crimes that threaten the international peace and security, calling for greater efforts to promote policies that ensure all segments of society can enjoy equal access to the opportunities offered by new technologies.
This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by Nayef Majid al-Qahtani, member of the Qatari delegation taking part in the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, before the Second Committee on Item 16: Information and Communications Technologies for Development.
The statement said that innovation and technology have great potential to accelerate the achievement of the sustainable development goals and stimulate the economic growth.
The statement underlined that Qatar pays particular attention to taking advantage of the tremendous potential offered by and investing in ICT, and views it as a key enabler for moving towards sustainable development.
Qatar, recognising the key role that ICTs play in facilitating access to key information, knowledge and services, has pursued policies in various fields to develop and enhance its role, the statement noted.
Within this direction, the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Qatar plays an important role and seeks to build an active, dynamic and secure sector that contributes to the promotion of a diversified national economy that benefits all segments of the society by promoting initiatives of digital government and cybersecurity, it said.
In light of the development of cybersecurity challenges globally, the Ministry has launched several cybersecurity initiatives aimed at protecting Qatar’s ICT systems and infrastructure.
In this context, the statement pointed out that the Ministry of Transport and Communications will organise the fifth edition of Qatar Information Technology and Communication Conference and Exhibition (Qitcom 2019), under the theme “Safe Smart Cities”, from October 29 to November1.
The event attracts many companies, innovators and entrepreneurs, and provides an opportunity to showcase smart technology solutions and exchange advanced knowledge.
In order to invest ICTs in unlocking the potential of persons with disabilities and helping them to achieve independence and self-reliance, Qatar launched the Digital Inclusion Strategy and Mada Assistive Technology Centre in order to help people with disabilities to achieve their goals and attain equal opportunities in education and employment to enable them live independently, the statement noted.
Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP), a member of the Research and Development sector at Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is the primary platform for innovative technology projects and seeks to support research, innovation and entrepreneurship, the statement noted.
In light of the threat posed by the high proportion of cybercrime and piracy crimes on the international peace and security, Qatar said that it is critical to deal with this phenomenon in a manner commensurate with its gravity by taking measures and actions not only by prohibiting and punishing those involved in piracy for political or personal gains but to deal with as a major source of threat to international peace and security.
The statement said that the Doha Declaration on Integrating Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice into the Wider United Nations Agenda, which was adopted by the Thirteenth Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, notes the importance of exploring special measures aimed at providing a secure and robust electronic environment and preventing and combating criminal activities carried out online.
Given the complex challenges posed by the increasing cybercrime and the urgent need to provide cybersecurity to states and individuals, Qatar stressed that regulating the treatment of those challenges is critical to prevent such crimes, of which Qatar has been a victim.
As a result, Qatar has sought to intensify its efforts in the field of cybersecurity.
