Canberra, October 2026 – Representatives from six Pacific Island countries gathered in Canberra for a specialised workshop on strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure to climate-related disruption, cyber threats and emerging technologies.
The three-day project, held from 26 to 28 October 2026, was organised by EU CyberNet in cooperation with the Czech National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra. It was supported by the CyberVac programme of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Delegation of the European Union to Australia, the Embassy of Estonia in Canberra and Australian partners.
At the Embassy of the Czech Republic, the interactive workshop combined presentations, case studies, group exercises and a scenario-based simulation. Led by EU CyberNet experts Jan Rada, Stefano Leucci and Radoslaw Gnat, it brought together 13 policymakers, regulators and technical experts from Fiji, Palau, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The programme tailored expert knowledge to the practical realities of Pacific Island countries.
“The intersection of climate security and cybersecurity is becoming increasingly evident in the region. Climate-related disruptions can affect digital infrastructure and, in turn, undermine essential services. This creates an urgent need for infrastructure that is resilient to both climate and cyber risks. Through this workshop, we are pleased to bring European Union expertise to the Indo-Pacific and support Pacific Island countries in strengthening their preparedness and protection against interconnected threats,” said Liina Areng, Director of EU CyberNet.
The programme examined cyber and climate risks to essential services and dependencies across energy, telecommunications, finance, health and public administration. Participants explored how disruptions could cascade across sectors and considered resilient design, continuity planning, redundancy and incident-response coordination. A simulation of a combined climate and cyber incident then tested technical, operational, communication and inter-agency arrangements.
The workshop also explored how European experience and regulatory approaches could be adapted to the Pacific context, along with the implications of artificial intelligence and quantum technologies for critical systems. Working in national groups, participants identified practical priorities for capacity development, investment, regional cooperation and continued engagement with international partners.
The project strengthened practical preparedness and coordinated planning among the participating Pacific Island countries while demonstrating the Czech Republic’s contribution to cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection in the Indo-Pacific.
“For the Czech Republic, this project is about building trusted partnerships and sharing practical expertise at the intersection of climate resilience and cybersecurity. This cooperation is a two-way street: although we face similar threats, we approach them with different capacities, experiences and perspectives. The workshop therefore offers a valuable learning opportunity for both our Pacific partners and us. By bringing together Pacific, European and Australian perspectives, we can respond to local priorities while laying the foundation for long-term cooperation and mutual learning,” said Veronika Kolek Netolická, cyber attaché of NÚKIB.