Mahdi Yahya Among 36 Global Leaders Supporting the BEYOND125 Action Plan at the Peace Palace
The Hague, Netherlands | 30 September 2024
On 30 September 2024, Mahdi Yahya participated in BEYOND125: Securing Our World’s Digital Future, a high-level international gathering held at the historic Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. The event commemorated the 125th anniversary of the First Hague Peace Conference and brought together international leaders, policymakers, cybersecurity experts, philanthropists, civil society representatives, and innovators to address one of the defining challenges of the modern era: safeguarding peace, justice, and human dignity in an increasingly digital world.
Organized through a collaboration between the CyberPeace Institute, the Global Cyber Alliance, and the City of The Hague, the conference explored how cyber threats increasingly impact humanitarian organizations, educational institutions, human rights defenders, nonprofits, and civil society actors worldwide. Participants discussed strategies to strengthen digital resilience and ensure that organizations serving vulnerable communities have access to the tools and protections needed to operate safely and effectively.
As Founder and Chairman of Peace of Art International, Mahdi Yahya joined discussions focused on the intersection of peacebuilding, human rights, technology, and international cooperation. His participation reflected a growing recognition that the future of peace and social development is closely linked to the ability of organizations and communities to navigate digital challenges while protecting democratic values and civic space.
A significant distinction of the event was its highly selective nature. Mahdi Yahya was among 36 invited CEOs, executive leaders, and international stakeholders selected to participate in the development and endorsement of the BEYOND125 Action Plan, a global initiative aimed at strengthening cybersecurity support for nonprofit organizations and civil society institutions worldwide.
Mahdi Yahya stands in front of the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, home to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), during his participation in international discussions on peace, justice, diplomacy, and global cooperation.
The Action Plan was designed to address the growing digital vulnerabilities faced by organizations working in humanitarian assistance, peacebuilding, education, public health, refugee support, and human rights advocacy. Participants examined practical solutions to improve cybersecurity awareness, increase access to digital protection tools, mobilize resources, and establish long-term mechanisms to support organizations that often lack the capacity to defend themselves against cyber threats.
Held within the symbolic setting of the Peace Palace—an institution dedicated to international law, justice, and peaceful conflict resolution—the event highlighted the evolving nature of global security. Discussions emphasized that peace in the twenty-first century extends beyond traditional diplomacy and conflict prevention and increasingly includes the protection of digital infrastructure that enables societies, institutions, and communities to function effectively.
Beyond 125: Securing Our World’s Digital Future
Throughout the conference, Yahya engaged with international experts, policymakers, technology leaders, and representatives of global institutions to exchange perspectives on resilience, innovation, and the future of civil society. These conversations explored how cross-sector collaboration can help address emerging threats while strengthening the capacity of organizations working to advance peace, inclusion, and sustainable development.
For Peace of Art International, participation in BEYOND125 represented an important opportunity to contribute to international conversations that connect peacebuilding with emerging technological realities. The event reinforced the importance of ensuring that organizations dedicated to social impact, youth empowerment, human rights, and community development are equipped to operate securely in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
The conference concluded with a collective commitment to advancing the BEYOND125 Action Plan and fostering stronger cooperation among governments, international organizations, technology providers, philanthropic institutions, and civil society actors. Participants agreed that protecting digital spaces is no longer solely a technical issue but a fundamental requirement for safeguarding democracy, justice, freedom, and peace.
Mahdi Yahya’s participation in this landmark initiative reflects his continued engagement in international forums addressing global challenges and his commitment to building bridges between peacebuilding, innovation, and social impact. As digital transformation reshapes societies worldwide, events such as BEYOND125 demonstrate the importance of collaborative leadership in creating a safer, more resilient, and more peaceful future for all.
