Strategic Cyber Diplomacy: Africa’s Ambassadorial Roundtable
The Center for Cyber Diplomacy and Leadership and The George Washington University present:
Strategic Cyber Diplomacy
Africa’s Ambassadorial Roundtable
November 7, 2024
The City View Room
1957 E St NW, Washington, DC
The Center for Cyber Diplomacy and Leadership and The George Washington University proudly present a pivotal cybersecurity forum tailored for an African audience, including Ambassadors, government officials as well as global industry leaders.
In the face of escalating cyber threats, this forum emphasizes the critical role of cyber diplomacy in safeguarding national and international digital infrastructures. Bringing together high-ranking officials from various sectors, including technology, finance, manufacturing, and academia, the event aims to foster enhanced global cybersecurity cooperation. This platform will facilitate knowledge-sharing, open communication, and best practice exchanges, aiming to align and harmonize cybersecurity strategies across industries.
This forum seeks to solidify and advance collaborative efforts in cyber diplomacy. Join us in shaping the future of global cybersecurity leadership and making this an annual event.
The importance of cyber diplomacy in the 21st century cannot be overstated. As cyber threats escalate, the need for robust international cooperation to safeguard digital infrastructures becomes increasingly critical. Our forum aims to promote knowledge-sharing, open communication, and the exchange of best practices to align and harmonize cybersecurity strategies across industries and nations.
We expect participation from a great number of Ambassador members of the African diplomatic corps, including the deans of the regional groups:
- East African Community (EAC)
- Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS)
- Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
- Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
- Southern African Development Community (SADC)
- and the African Union Ambassador to Washington
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Speakers and Participants
The Center for Cyber Diplomacy and Leadership (CCDL)
Ambassador, Benin
Mr. Arouna is the former Ambassador of the Republic of Benin to the U.S., Mexico, and the former Representative to the World Bank, the IMF, and the OAS.
Co-Founder and Executive Director, Center for Cyber Diplomacy and Leadership
Dr. Pape Cissé is a seasoned executive and cybersecurity expert with over 20 years of experience in technology management and leadership.
George Washington University
Associate Dean, GW
Vice Dean for Graduate Programs; Program Director, MS in Interdisciplinary Business Studies; Associate Professor of Decision Sciences, GW School of Business.
Assistant Dean of Operations; Interim Executive Director of the F. David Fowler Career Center at The GW School of Business
Joseph Miranda is the Assistant Dean of Operations as well as the Interim Executive Director of the F. David Fowler Career Center at the GW School of Business.
Interim Dean and Professor of Marketing, Strategic Management and Public Policy, GW School of Business
Vanessa Gail Perry, MBA, PhD is Interim Dean and Professor of Marketing, Strategic Management and Public Policy at GW School of Business.
Speakers
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Cyberspace and Digital Policy Bureau, U.S. Department of State
Jennifer Bachus is the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Cyberspace and Digital Policy Bureau.
Eric Wenger is Senior Director for technology policy and leads Cisco's government affairs work globally on a range of policy issues.
Participants
Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Rwanda, Washington, DC
Mr. Arthur Asiimwe currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, DC.
Ambassador, Mauritania
Ms. Cissé Mint Cheikh Ould Boide has been serving as Mauritania’s Ambassador to the United States since March 2021.
Charge d’affaires, Burkina Faso
Mr. Edouard Bouda is an accomplished diplomat with a wealth of experience in international development and cooperation.
Deputy Chief of Missions, Mozambique
Deputy Chief of Missions Lucia Cherinda of Mozambique
Ambassador of South Sudan to the United States, Embassy of South Sudan, Washington, DC
Dr. Santino Fardol W. Dickens is a distinguished diplomat and author, celebrated for his advocacy for South Sudan's independence through self-determination.
Ambassador, Liberia
His Excellency Ambassador Jeff Gongoer Dowana Sr. is a seasoned diplomat with over three decades of experience in the Liberian Foreign Service.
Ambassador of the Republic of Cameroon to the United States of America
Henri Etoundi Essomba is a Senior Diplomat. He was appointed Ambassador of The Republic Of Cameroon To The United States Of America On April 11, 2016.
Ambassador of Eswatini to Washington, D.C.
Kennedy Groening is the Ambassador of Eswatini to Washington, D.C. and a non-resident ambassador to Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, and Venezuela.
Ambassador, Togo
Ambassador Frédéric Edem Hegbe, born on April 27, 1951, has been serving as Togo's Ambassador to the United States since 2017.
Ambassador, Uganda
Robinah Kakonge was appointed as Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States in December of 2021.
Ambassador, Zambia
Chibamba Kanyama, born on January 26, 1965, is a prominent Zambian business leader and writer specializing in communication strategy and corporate governance.
Ambassador, Equatorial Guinea
Dr. Crisantos Obama Ondo, the Ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to the U.S., is a distinguished diplomat with a rich background in environmental conservation.
First Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Chad to the United Nations
Parker is handling the portfolio of the Third Committee, which focuses on Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural affairs.
Chief of Mission, Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in the United States
Mathieu Toure is the Chief of Mission and First Advisor at the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in the United States.
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States
Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States
