UNDP, ICT Division sign deal on cybersecurity

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the ICT Division of the government have signed an agreement on May 1 at the UNDP Bangladesh office to launch a cyber security campaign for youths and children in the select LDC countries, said a press release.

Sudipto Mukerjee, resident representative of UNDP Bangladesh; and Dr Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, managing director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, were signatories on behalf of their respective organisations.

Senior officials from UNDP and ICT Division were present during the signing ceremony.

Sudipto Mukerjee told the programme, "The first-ever government cost-sharing agreement will further strengthen UNDP's partnership with the Bangladesh government." This partnership will prepare, aware, and activate the children and youths of the LDC countries to combat the future and ongoing challenges on the cyber security front, he said.

Dr Bikarna Kumar Ghosh, in his remarks, said under this partnership UNDP-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Award on Cyber Security Awareness would be announced to encourage and inspire the youths to combat cyber security challenges.

The ICT Division will provide US $5 million to implement the cyber security campaign for the youths and children in select LDC countries in 5 years. Money will be raised from the "Golden Jubilee Bangladesh Concert" that will take place on May 6, 2022, at the Madison Square Garden in New York, where history was made in 1971. The popular German Rock band Scorpions is set to perform at the same venue, just over 50 years after George Harrison organised a two-show concert for Bangladesh. Chirkutt, one of Bangladesh's most popular band is also expected to perform.