PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

09 September 2024, SYDNEY - The Philippine delegation, led by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy participated as panelists at The Sydney Dialogue on 02-03 September 2024 organized by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI).

The Sydney Dialogue (TSD) is the premier policy summit for critical, emerging and cyber technologies. The event, which brought together government officials and industry experts, focused on the critical role of digital infrastructure and cybersecurity in driving national development and economic growth.

In his remarks, DOST Secretary Solidum emphasized the Philippines’ commitment to building resilient and inclusive digital infrastructure and highlighted ongoing initiatives to strengthen connectivity, improve access to technology, and ensure sustainable digital transformation.

DICT Secretary Uy underscored the need for robust cyber capabilities to protect the critical systems and safeguard the integrity of digital platforms. He emphasized that international cooperation is crucial to address the shared challenges of the digital age and encouraged strengthened partnerships in research, capacity-building, and collaborations for technology transfer.

The Philippines and Australia elevated its relations to a Strategic Partnership in September 2023. Both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cyber and Critical Technology Cooperation in February 2024 to share information and best practices on cyber and critical technology issues, cyber skills development, the digital economy, and pursue multilateral coordination. END