Tunis: Clerk of the House of Representatives, Rep. Ilham Saki, Takes Part in Meeting of the Steering Bureau of the High-Level Parliamentary Working Group on Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transition

Clerk of the House of Representatives, Rep. Ilham Saki, is taking part in the meeting of the Steering Bureau of the High-level Parliamentary Working Group on Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transition under the Arab Parliament, taking place on July 24-26, 2023, in Tunis, with the participation of the Secretary-General of the of Arab Interior Ministers Council.

In her intervention during the meeting, Rep. Ilham Saki shed light on the rich Moroccan experience in responding to cyberattacks, reflected in the establishment of an institutional framework for cybersecurity and a strong legal arsenal, the most important of which is Law 05.20 on cybersecurity that has immensely contributed to securing information systems within State administrations, territorial authorities, and public institutions and enterprises, in addition to protecting them from external cyberattacks. The Representative also recalled Law 07.03 on offenses relating to automated data processing systems. The said Law stipulates custodial sentences and fines on any individual that fraudulently infiltrates automated data processing systems.

Besides, the Representative called for working on the adaptation and development of national legislation in the various Arab States, in a way that is commensurate with the novel and multifaceted challenges and risks relating to cybersecurity in light of the increasing cyberattacks that continuously threaten systems and data. The goal behind this would be to protect information technology systems from hacking attempts that intend their destruction or data stealing.

The meeting featured the participation of the President of the Arab Parliament, Hon. Adel bin Abdulrahman Al-Asomi, who gave a brief overview of the prerogatives and objectives of the Arab Parliament. He also noted that his participation in this meeting stems from his strong belief in the pivotal role that the High-Level Parliamentary Working Group on Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transition could play in enabling the Arab States to keep up with the current scientific and technological revolution. Moreover, he stressed the importance of cybersecurity, declaring the intention of the Arab Parliament to organize a conference on the matter in the future. The conference would be an opportunity to exchange views, expertise, and best practices in the area. 

The meeting was also an opportunity where the Chairperson of the Group, Mr. Khaled Abu Hassan, briefed the Secretary-General of the Arab Interior Ministers Council, Mr. Mohammad Bin Ali Kuman, of the objectives behind creating the Group, in addition to the challenges and difficulties it faces. The Group Chairperson also expressed the aspiration of the Group to establish fruitful cooperation with the Council, which was also called for by the Council's Secretary-General, who shed light on the efforts deployed by the Council to protect information systems and prevent cyberattacks and cyberterrorism. Mr. Mohammad Bin Ali Kuman also commended the actions of the Group and welcomed the idea of signing a memorandum of understanding between the two parties to institutionalize coordination and consultation between them. 

It should be noted that this visit falls under the scope of introducing the work of the High-Level Parliamentary Working Group on Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transition, to establish new partnerships with several parties that operate in areas falling under the scope of its interests and objectives. The said goals lie in the development of the use of digital mechanisms in the Arab world and the secure and sustainable exploitation of science and technologies in various life areas.