Global CBPR Forum Endorses DIFC for Recognition as an Associate Member

Government

Global CBPR Forum Endorses DIFC for Recognition as an Associate Member

DIFC Becomes the First in the Region to Lead on Data Protection, Regulations, and Governance within the Global Forum Assembly (GFA)

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a premier global financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, has been officially recognized by the Global Forum Assembly (GFA) as an Associate Member of the Global CBPR Forum. DIFC is the first entity in the region to attain this position, further solidifying its pioneering role in data protection, regulations, and governance.

The GFA's Membership Committee recommended DIFC, alongside Mauritius and Bermuda, for Associate Membership, acknowledging their adherence to the necessary conditions for this recognition. This endorsement highlights DIFC’s significant contributions to the Forum’s development since its inception in April 2022. Notably, DIFC's participation in recent workshops hosted by the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC) in Tokyo underscores its commitment to advancing secure international data flows.

DIFC's inclusion in the Forum enables deeper collaboration with global regulatory authorities on secure data transfer mechanisms. The Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) framework, a robust and adaptable privacy certification scheme, will be integrated into DIFC's compliance regime under Article 50(5) of the DIFC Data Protection Law (DIFC Law No. 5 of 2020).

Jacques Visser, Chief Legal Officer of DIFC Authority and DIFC Data Protection Commissioner, expressed gratitude to the GFA leadership, stating, “We are honored to be recognized by the GFA, especially as DIFC is the first and only jurisdiction in the Middle East to obtain Associate status in the Forum. This milestone reaffirms our commitment to upholding the highest standards of privacy and data protection. We look forward to collaborating with our international partners on this critical initiative.”

In addition to its Associate status in the Global CBPR Forum, DIFC has also been selected by the United Kingdom as one of six global jurisdictions prioritized for establishing a “Data Bridge” to enhance data transfer and compliance mechanisms. The ongoing assessment by the UK’s Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) underscores the significance of DIFC’s efforts in promoting trustworthy data flows, which are crucial for modern business transactions, particularly for the 5,000 British companies operating in the UAE.