8 - 9 December 2026
About the forum
As societies come to depend on interconnected digital systems, a single failure can spread across borders and sectors with far-reaching consequences. The Global Digital Resilience Forum, organized by the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) with ITU, UNDRR and Sciences Po as Knowledge Partners, convenes senior government representatives, international organizations, and leaders from industry and academia to confront this challenge.
Building on When Digital Systems Fail: An Expert Report on the Hidden Risks of Our Digital World, the Forum combines scenario planning, policy dialogue and the exchange of best practices to strengthen international cooperation on preparedness, continuity and resilience across critical digital infrastructure.
Global Risk & Scenario Dashboard
The cornerstone output of the DESC-hosted initiative – a live platform operationalizing the initiative's research for ongoing use by governments, regulators, and international organizations.
Mapping Interdependencies
Visualizing technical connections across networks, cables, power grids, and GPS systems globally
Scenario Modelling
A sandbox environment to test mitigation and response frameworks for cascading cyber scenarios
Impact Assessment
Political, economic, societal, environmental, and legal analysis of multi-sector failure chains
Early Warning
Strengthening global coordination mechanisms for shared digital risks before disruption occurs
Organizers
GOVERNMENT OF DUBAI
The Government of Dubai governs the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven emirates constituting the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Under the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Government operates through an integrated network of specialized departments, authorities, and public corporations. Driven by strategic frameworks like the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the government focuses on innovation, economic diversification, world-class infrastructure, and digital transformation to establish Dubai as a global hub for business, tourism, and future readiness.
DUBAI ELECTRONIC SECURITY CENTER
Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) was founded in 2014, pursuant to Law No. 11 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. The Center was established in line with the visionary objectives to ensure that Dubai becomes a leader in cyber security and the protection of information from external cyber threats. The Center reinforces the technological progress and smart transformation that has been adopted and engrained in the foundations of the emirate, by establishing Dubai as a global leader in innovation, safety and security.
DESC implements the values of reliability, innovation and cooperation to achieve the goals set out by the Dubai Cyber Security Strategy. The strategy involves the implementation of five domains including; maintaining a secure digital environment, preserving the flexibility and the free flow of information within cyberspace, ensuring the continuity of IT systems and promoting research and innovation in the field of cyber security. Other objectives include increasing awareness within the community and urging individuals to be more observant of digital threats.
As technological advancements continue, the Center seeks to protect Dubai digitally, by securing and protecting the emirates’ information, telecommunication networks, and information systems. By developing, modifying, and using the necessary tools within cyber security, the Center aims to support all Dubai government entities to ensure they are in compliance with information security. The Center supports the increasing requirements for a cyber-secure digital landscape during the economic and social growth within the emirate and is dedicated to Dubai to training excellence within cyberspace.
Strategic partner
TDRA – Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) was established in the UAE according to the Federal Law by Decree No. 3 of 2003, focusing on two main fields: regulating the telecommunications sector, and enabling government entities’ digital transformation.
In regulation, TDRA’s role focuses on ensuring excellent telecom services, developing the ICT sector, protecting the stakeholders’ interests, implementing relevant policy and regulatory frameworks, developing human resources and promoting research and development, to achieve the UAE’s regional and global leading position in the telecommunications sector.
In enablement, TDRA manages federal entities’ digital transformation according to the Law No. 3 of 2011. It works to achieve two strategic goals in this context, namely: enhancing the digital lifestyle, and achieving UAE’s leadership in digital technical infrastructure.
Knowledge partners
ITU – International Telecommunication Union
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet with 194 Member States and a membership of over 1,000 companies, universities, civil society, and international and regional organizations.
Established in 1865, ITU coordinates the global use of the radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, drives universal connectivity and digital services, and is helping to make sure everyone benefits from sustainable digital transformation, including the most remote communities.
From artificial intelligence to quantum, from satellites and submarine cables to advanced mobile and wireless broadband networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond.
Sciences Po – Technology & Global Affairs Innovation Hub
The Technology and Global Affairs Innovation Hub is part of Sciences Po's Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA). Sciences Po is a leading research university in Paris specialising in the social sciences, founded in 1872. Its Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) is a graduate school for international affairs and hosts the Technology and Global Affairs Innovation Hub. The Hub explores how technology, including artificial intelligence, can be used to respond to global challenges. It brings together researchers, practitioners and experts from within and beyond the university.
UNDRR – UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the lead agency in the United Nations on disaster risk reduction. It provides leadership, expertise and tools to enable countries to understand and act on disaster risks before they become disasters. UNDRR's work is guided by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, which aims to achieve a substantial reduction in disaster risk and losses by 2030.
Principal partner
Etisalat
Established in 1976 as the United Arab Emirates’ first telecommunications service provider, Etisalat is one of the world's leading technology and telecommunications groups. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the group marks its next 50 years of operations by driving digital transformation and pioneering next-generation connectivity solutions tailored for the AI era.
Today, Etisalat serves an aggregate subscriber base of over 244 million customers across a footprint spanning 16 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Operating through core dedicated divisions focused on consumer telecom, infrastructure, enterprise AI and business solutions, and fintech, Etisalat delivers comprehensive high-speed 5G, 5.5G, and FTTH networks alongside an expanding portfolio of specialized digital services.
Government partner
ICD
Investment Corporation of Dubai's investment portfolio is comprised of wholly and partly owned government businesses. ICD's mandate is to generate a superior return on investment, in a way that will benefit the regional financial community. Having achieved this through strategic investments in companies that have achieved global excellence and have defined the industrial, retail and financial landscape of Dubai.
Technology partner
DU
Operating under the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), du is a leading telecom and digital services provider in the UAE. Established in 2006, the company serves over 9 million individual customers and 100,000 businesses with a comprehensive bouquet of mobile, fixed-line, broadband, IPTV, and managed ICT solutions. Committed to driving the UAE’s digital-first economy, du operates a state-of-the-art 5G and fiber network across three specialized sub-brands—du Business, du Tech, and du Infra. du is a strategic partner of the Smart Dubai Office and actively supports the UAE NetZero 2050 initiative and the Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan.
