The twin initiatives are a joint endeavour of the Halley Movement and the MIGF. They are being held from 31 July to 1 August 2026 under the theme ‘The Future of Artificial Intelligence to Mobilise Political Commitment in Addressing the Challenges Facing Mauritius and Africa’.

The Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Dr Avinash Ramtohul; the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Lisa Simrique Singh; and the Secretary General of the Halley Movement and Mauritius IGF, Mr Mahendranath Busgopaul, were also present on the occasion.

In his keynote address, the Vice-President underlined that the events highlight the shared intent of island nations and African countries to participate actively in shaping global digital rules. He emphasised that digital transformation offered significant promise for SIDS, bringing unique perspectives on resilience, adaptation, and cooperation.

“By fostering cooperation over competition, the forums empower SIDS to turn shared vulnerabilities into collective strength and shape global digital regulations,” he said. Speaking about the theme of the events, Mr Hungley underlined that political commitment meant ensuring that digital transformation remained a national priority long after today’s discussions had concluded.

“Mauritius,” he reassured “is accelerating its commitment to secure and govern its digital future by tackling cybersecurity, the governance of artificial intelligence, and ensuring youth digital literacy.”

Minister Ramtohul lauded the contribution of the Halley Movement in ensuring the welfare of children and families in the internet environment. Outlining Mauritius’ achievements as a leading country in the region in terms of digitalisation, the Minister pointed out that the country had achieved 100% nationwide internet coverage and an internet penetration rate exceeding 80%, combined with some of the most affordable connectivity costs on the African continent.

He also indicated that the Ministry was working to reduce the digital divide by providing free internet access to the nation’s most vulnerable citizens, specifically those registered with the Social Register of Mauritius (SRM). Furthermore, he added that the Ministry was exploring initiatives to refurbish and recirculate end-of-life technological equipment to families in need.

In addition, the Minister stressed the urgent need for legislative reforms to guarantee a safe, secure, and clean cyberspace for all citizens. While reaffirming the importance of freedom of expression, he warned that this right must not be exercised at the expense of others, specifically cautioning the youth to remain mindful of their permanent digital footprints.

For his part, Mr Mahendranath Busgopaul reiterated that children’s safety and digital wellbeing remained at the heart of the Halley Movement mission. “In a society where young people are among the most active internet users, protecting them from exploitation while equipping them with digital literacy is a moral and national imperative,” he affirmed, recalling that data protection, privacy and trust were the cornerstones of a resilient digital society.

According to him, as Mauritius positioned itself as a digital hub within the Indian ocean region, ensuring that children, businesses and citizens can trust the systems they used was a foundation for economic growth and social stability.

Dated 31^st of July 2026

Source: GIS