Addis Ababa recently served as the epicenter for a crucial international security discussion, hosting the renowned Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF). Over two days, lawmakers, intelligence leaders, and cybersecurity experts from 36 nations gathered at Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives to address the multifaceted challenges of today’s global security environment. This event underscored Ethiopia’s growing influence in technology governance and its strategic role within the African security landscape.
The primary objective of the forum was to foster better alignment between legislative oversight and the practical operations of security institutions. In his opening address, Speaker Tagesse Chaffo stressed that modern threats—such as advanced cyberattacks and terror financing—require nations to abandon isolated strategies.
He advocated for a shift toward collective security models built on democratic accountability, public trust, and active parliamentary involvement, ensuring that security remains a collaborative, transparent process rather than just an executive mandate.
A significant portion of the 2026 agenda focused on the complex impact of rapid technological change. While artificial intelligence and digital transformation hold great promise for economic growth, they also present serious security vulnerabilities. Participants emphasized the necessity of implementing “responsible, human-centered” AI governance.
Ethiopia highlighted its “Digital Ethiopia 2030” initiative as a model for developing nations, demonstrating how a country can actively build a secure, resilient, and trusted digital infrastructure.
The forum also addressed the persistent instability in the Horn of Africa, where factors such as violent extremism, climate-related migration, and governance deficiencies create opportunities for non-state actors. Speakers asserted that lasting peace requires addressing the underlying roots of instability, including poverty and lack of opportunity, rather than relying solely on military solutions.
Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts in regional peace-building, alongside its aggressive campaign to dismantle human trafficking and criminal networks, were underscored as essential components of long-term regional security.
US. Ambassador Ervin Massinga highlighted the vital importance of international cooperation, particularly in the sharing of intelligence data. He issued a warning that as threats become more sophisticated, the use of unregulated surveillance tools and opaque agreements could threaten national sovereignty. Consequently, he urged forum participants to collaborate on creating harmonized legal standards and more effective, secure channels for cross-border information sharing to combat transnational criminal activity.
The gathering concluded with a renewed commitment to the principles of multilateralism. By bridging the gap between legislative bodies and security professionals, the PI-SF underscored that shared responsibility is the only viable path forward in an era of geopolitical and technological flux.
