India to fully fund UN cyber security portal to support developing nations
- UN ICT Security Portal will serve as a global platform for governments, institutions, and cyber security professionals, offering training resources, learning materials, a calendar of international cyber capacity-building programs, and an interactive forum for collaboration and information sharing among member states.
- Nearly 50,000 professionals from developing countries have received fully funded training under ITEC program over the past five years
- The initiative has delivered around 400 specialized courses through more than 100 Indian institutions, covering cyber security, e-governance, artificial intelligence, digital governance, and big data analytics
India has announced that it will fully finance the establishment of a United Nations portal dedicated to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) security, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening global cyber resilience and supporting developing countries in enhancing their digital security capabilities.
The announcement was made by India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, during the plenary session of the Global Mechanism on ICTs in the Context of International Security.
Harish said the proposal, first introduced by India in 2022, has gained broad international support following years of consultations and consensus-building. He said India would provide the complete funding required to operationalize the portal as a United Nations platform, transforming years of policy discussions into practical action.
The proposed UN ICT Security Portal will serve as a global platform for governments, institutions, and cyber security professionals, offering training resources, learning materials, a calendar of international cyber capacity-building programs, and an interactive forum for collaboration and information sharing among member states.
India’s financial contribution will cover the development, deployment, and long-term maintenance of the portal, ensuring it functions as an active operational platform rather than merely a repository of information.
India’s national cyber incident response agency, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), will provide technical expertise for the project. The agency will oversee the portal’s technical architecture, infrastructure planning, testing, and security standards to ensure reliable and secure operations.
Addressing the meeting, Ambassador Harish said many developing countries continue to face significant challenges in building cyber security capabilities despite rapid digital transformation. He noted that the portal aims to bridge the digital security gap by providing equal access to technical knowledge, training, and best practices.
He emphasized that cyber capacity-building initiatives should remain demand-driven, transparent, politically neutral, and tailored to the specific needs of individual countries.
India also highlighted its broader digital development strategy, citing its Digital Public Infrastructure model as an example of inclusive technological growth supported by strong cyber security systems that protect governments, businesses, and citizens from evolving cyber threats.
Reaffirming India’s support for the Global South, Harish said nearly 50,000 professionals from developing countries have received fully funded training under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program over the past five years.
The initiative has delivered around 400 specialized courses through more than 100 Indian institutions, covering cyber security, e-governance, artificial intelligence, digital governance, and big data analytics.
India also welcomed the establishment of the UN’s Dedicated Thematic Group on Cyber Capacity Building, which will coordinate international efforts, identify capacity gaps, and promote practical cooperation among member states to strengthen global cyber resilience.
The funding commitment further reinforces India’s growing role in global digital governance and cyber diplomacy, while supporting international efforts to build a more secure, inclusive, and collaborative digital ecosystem.
