Vienna (TDI): Dr. Farhat Asif, Founder and President of the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS) in Islamabad, Pakistan, addressed the 4th International Digital Security Forum (IDSF) in Vienna, held from June 4 to 6, 2025.
The event, organized by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and supported by various Austrian ministries and international partners, convened over 500 participants from 35 countries to discuss digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, and international cooperation.
Dr. Farhat Asif contributed to the panel discussion titled “Human-Centric Data Governance and Data Sovereignty for Peace and Security,” emphasizing the importance of inclusive digital governance frameworks that prioritize human rights and equitable access to technology.
She highlighted the need for collaborative international efforts to establish common security standards and share knowledge, aligning with the forum’s theme, “Balancing Sovereignty and Solidarity in the Digital Age.”
As one of the very few speakers originating from the Global South, she spoke from the perspective of communities which are in the middle of peace building processes, and access to technology remains limited or controlled.
She also pointed out how governments keep a tighter control over technologies and this, in turn, poses an even greater challenge when hackers or criminally-inclined people offer users illegal access to various technologies.
Read More: 8 Years of Digital Security Dialogue: The IDSF Story
The IDSF 2025 Day 1 program addressed pressing issues in the digital realm, including the implications of quantum technologies for peace and security, the role of tech diplomacy, and the transformation of global cybersecurity strategies.
Sessions explored the challenges states face in maintaining strategic autonomy while fostering global solidarity to leverage the benefits of digital transformation and address cyber threats.
Dr. Farhat Asif’s participation underscored Pakistan’s engagement in global dialogues on digital security and diplomacy. Her insights contributed to the forum’s objective of shaping a secure, inclusive, and cooperative digital future through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
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