On 14 December 2023, during the Octopus Conference 2023, the Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe together with representatives from the priority countries - Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia, met for the Closing event of the CyberSouth project, the joint European Union/ Council of Europe initiative in the Southern Neighbourhood.

Project partners (project Interpol Momentum) also attended and shared their experiences and initiatives.

As the CyberSouth project is in its final implementation stages, its results were evaluated, by focusing on the activities undertaken and the objectives achieved. On this occasion, project stakeholders discussed lessons learned and focused on the strengths that facilitated its smooth implementation, such as: regional approach with possibility to tailor national activities based on country’s priorities; exchange of best practices; connecting MENA networks with global ones; Council of Europe international legal instruments accompanied by concrete actions; ownership and sustainability.

The next phase of co-operation with the Southern Neighbourhood countries, through the project CyberSouth+, was another important point of interest and discussion on the agenda.

 CyberSouth project webpage