Nearly one hundred (100) stakeholders from local, regional and international organizations gathered for a one-day Cybersecurity Forum that was held at Harbor Club in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet. The event was held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, under the theme, “Strengthening Digital Resilience Facing Cyber and Hybrid Threats”.  

Organized by the Government of Saint Lucia, through the Division of Public Sector Modernization in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Saint Lucia, the important Forum brought together government officials, policymakers, IT professionals, regional organizations, and international partners to exchange views on cybersecurity governance, digital resilience, hybrid threats, incident response, vulnerability management, and regional and international cooperation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, H.E. Nicole Su, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, said Taiwan has been working closely with the Government of Saint Lucia for many years through ICT projects that support digital transformation and digital inclusivity in various communities. The focus of these projects is on building infrastructure and capacity-building.

“In recent years, we have renovated ICT Centres in Laborie, Soufrière, and Dennery, and Babonneau soon to come,” Ambassador Su said. “With these Centres, practical workshops on digital tools, such as 3D printing, AI applications, productivity tools, and cybersecurity issues are discussed. We have also supported youth innovation and digital literacy through activities such as the AI Coding Competition, to encourage young people to explore technology, creativity, and problem-solving.”

Last year, two IT professionals from Saint Lucia attended relevant workshops in Taiwan, and later successfully obtaining the very first two ISO 27001 certification of Saint Lucia on Information Security Management. In the area of regional cooperation, the Taiwan Embassy partnered with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) for two consecutive years to co-organize the AI Summer Camp for youths. Ambassador Su noted that digital transformation is no longer an option in today’s world, but a necessary and unavoidable path for improving public services, expanding economic opportunities, strengthening education, and connecting communities.

“As governments become more dependent on digital technologies and provide more online services, cybersecurity has become more important than ever,” she said. “Cyber risks are no longer limited to traditional cybercrime. Today, governments face a more complex and fast-changing threats, including cyberattacks, ransomware, phishing, data breaches, disinformation, unlawful digital surveillance, and hybrid attacks.”

These threats, Ambassador Su said, can affect not only individual computer systems, but also public trust, critical services, national resilience, and democratic governance. She added that hackers are not only interested national information within government systems, but that personal data such as banking information, credit cards, and health information can also be targeted for ransom or fraud. For these reasons, she said strengthening cybersecurity is a technical issue, a governance issue, a national resilience issue, and a shared responsibility.

“Cybersecurity cannot be achieved by one country alone, because these threats do cross borders, and so must our cooperation,” said Ambassador Su. “As a trustworthy and responsible partner, Taiwan is committed to continuing working with Saint Lucia, like-minded partners, regional and international organizations. Let’s work together to strengthen digital resilience so that we can build a safer digital future for Saint Lucia and the Caribbean.”

Mr. Marlon Narcisse, Director of the Division of Public Sector Modernisation, delivered remarks on behalf of Hon. Stephenson King, Senior Minister and Minister for the Public Service, Transport, Information and Utilities Regulations. He thanked the Government and people of Taiwan for their steadfast friendship and continued support of Saint Lucia’s national development agenda.

Mr. Narcisse noted that the partnership has been built on mutual respect, shared values, and a common belief that innovation, knowledge, and collaboration are powerful drivers of sustainable development. From digital transformation and public sector modernization to capacity building and technological advancement, he said Taiwan has remained a trusted partner in helping Saint Lucia build a stronger and more resilient future.

“Today’s seminar is yet another demonstration of that enduring commitment,” said Mr. Narcisse. “More importantly, it reflects our shared recognition that in an increasingly digital world, cybersecurity is no longer a specialized technical issue confined to information technology professionals. It is a matter of national security, economic resilience, institutional integrity, and public confidence. As governments continue to digitize services and embrace emerging technologies, safeguarding our digital infrastructure and protecting the information entrusted to us by our citizens must remain among our highest priorities.”

Through its ongoing efforts, the Division of Public Sector Modernization continues to play a pivotal role in modernizing government, improving public service delivery, and ensuring that digital transformation remains a catalyst for national development, Mr. Narcisse added.

“We are living through one of the most significant technological revolutions in human history,” he stated. “Digital technologies are transforming every aspect of Saint Lucia society. They are changing how governments serve their citizens, how businesses compete in the global economy, how our students learn, how healthcare is delivered, and how communities connect with one another. It is clear that digital transformation is not a choice it’s a national imperative.”

Mr. Narcisse said Saint Lucia is especially privileged to benefit from the expertise being provided by Taiwan, whose global experience in digital innovation and cybersecurity offers valuable lessons. He added that Taiwan’s longstanding commitment to supporting Saint Lucia’s development has consistently invested in people, institutions, and knowledge-sharing.

“History has shown that nations which embrace innovation while investing in resilience are those best positioned to succeed in times of change,” he noted. “Saint Lucia has chosen to embrace that future with confidence and purpose. By strengthening cyber governance, investing in our people, and working alongside trusted partners such as Taiwan, we are laying the foundation for a digital future that is secure, resilient, and worthy of the confidence of every Saint Lucian.”

Speaking at the Forum, Mr. Ray Wen, Project Manager for ICT at the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Saint Lucia, said years of cooperation have taught an important lesson: that resilience does not begin with technology alone, but is also related to inclusion.

He recalled digital access being a major challenge in Saint Lucia back in 2009. According to the 2014 Census, only around one-third of Saint Lucians had recently used the internet, while access varied significantly across communities. This limited both individual opportunity and the reach of digital government. Expanding access required public leadership, institutional planning, and long-term investment. He said that was the starting point of the joint journey: strengthening government capacity so that digital development could reach more people.

“Our cooperation began by strengthening ICT skills among public officers and supporting long-term e-government planning,” he said. “It then expanded into public-sector digitalization, GINet, smart education, community ICT facilities, and digital skills development. Each effort supported the others and strengthened locally led, sustainable digital development.”

In 2019, that cooperation placed greater emphasis on teachers and education. Through practical workshop and professional exchanges, educators gained new ways to use technology in the classroom. Digital tools became resources for teaching, creativity, and opportunity, creating more equitable learning opportunities and reinforced a central principle: technology becomes valuable when people have the confidence and skills to use it.

In 2023, joint Media Literacy Workshops championed a safer online world, while the Summer of STEM camps inspired brilliant young minds across various districts. In 2025, through professional exchange, Saint Lucian engineers proudly earned ISO 27001 credentials — securing institutional trust.

“Moving forward in our recent joint efforts, we have co-launched dedicated ICT Skills Workshops for public officers to make everyday government services faster and better,” Mr. Wen said. “We co-upgraded the Government E-Learning Platform for continuous professional growth, and integrated 3D Printing workshops to turn local ideas into real-world innovations. We are truly bridging the digital divide, leaving no one behind.”

Mr. Ricky Quinlan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Crime Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Persons with Disabilities, thanked the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Ministry of Public Service, Transport, Information and Utilities, and all regional and international partners for convening the important dialogue on strengthening digital resilience in the face of cyber and hybrid threats. He noted that the information shared at the Forum is a reminder that cybersecurity in no longer simply an ICT issue, but one that affects national security, the economy, and people.

“Every government service we digitize, every school we connect, every business that operates online, and every citizen who accesses digital services depends on one thing: trust,” Mr. Quinlan explained. “Without trust that our systems are secure, resilient, and reliable, the promise of digital transformation cannot be fully realized.”

Mr. Quinlan said the challenge is even more significant for small islands developing states such as Saint Lucia, who are equally exposed to cross-border cyber threats and cybercriminals who do not discriminate between large and small nations. He stated that a single cyber incident can disrupt essential government services, threaten critical infrastructure, undermine public confidence, and impact economies, adding that the Forum reinforced that no single country, institution, or agency can confront these challenges alone.

He also thanked the Government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), for their continued friendship and unwavering support to Saint Lucia: “Your partnership extends beyond technology – it reflects a shared commitment to building stronger institutions, developing human capacity, and fostering resilience across our Region.”

During the Leadership Session, remarks were made by Ms. Wei Jeng, Deputy Director-General of Administration for Cyber Security, Ministry of Digital Affairs (Taiwan); Mr. Cheng-Yu Wang, Director, International Integrated Systems Inc. (Taiwan); and Mr. Johannith Khodra, ICT Project Manager, Division of Public Sector Modernisation, Ministry of Public Service (Saint Lucia).

The first Panel Discussion on the topic, “Building National Cyber Resilience Through Governance and Partnerships”, featured panelists Ms. Wei Jeng, Deputy Director-General of Administration for Cyber Security, Ministry of Digital Affairs (Taiwan) and Mr. Linus Charles, Chief Information Security Officer, 1^st National Bank Saint Lucia Limited, with Mr. Kentus Eugene, Chief ICT Officer, Division of Public Sector Modernisation, Ministry of Public Service, as moderator.

The second Panel Discussion on the topic, “How Government IT Teams Detect and Respond to Cyber Threats”, featured panelists Mr. Cheng-Yu Wang, Director, International Integrated Systems Inc. (Taiwan), Mr. Javed Samuel, Cyber Security Consultant; Mr. Darcel Joseph, Senior Network Administrator, Government Information Technology Services (GITS) Limited; and Mr. Desmond Astwood, former General Manager, Government Information Technology Services (GITS) Limited; with Mr. Mervin Alexis, Acting General Manager, Government Information Technology Services (GITS) Limited, as moderator. 

(ENDS)