Time has come to build truly sustainable digital economy for all, ITU chief says

The time has come to expand and leverage digital infrastructure and services for building a truly sustainable digital economy for all, said International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin at the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25) in Baku on November 17.

The theme of this year’s conference, held jointly by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, is “Universal, meaningful, and accessible connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital future,” Caliber.Az reports.

Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev read out a message from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to the participants, emphasising Azerbaijan’s commitment to promoting global digital development and ensuring inclusive connectivity for all.

ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted that the main goal of the conference in Baku is to address people’s digital connectivity needs through discussions and policy resolutions, while strengthening their resilience.

“We are here at WTDC to make digital opportunities meaningful and accessible for everyone. We are here to create conditions where no one is left behind in a world transforming faster than ever through technology. And we are here to reinvigorate the global work on digital development, which we can achieve only together,” she said.

She noted that the Connect Digital Coalition has already gathered more than 1,000 commitments and mobilized approximately $80 billion to support meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation worldwide.

“The time has come to fulfil these commitments and promises. It is time to deliver on the community’s statement and its pledge to leave no effort spared in expanding and leveraging digital infrastructure and services to build a truly sustainable digital economy for all,” Bogdan-Martin added.

The conference also featured a video highlighting the history of telecommunications development in Azerbaijan.

WTDC is held every four years by the ITU to bridge the digital divide between countries and advance digital transformation. This year’s conference is the first to be held in the CIS region, further strengthening Azerbaijan’s role in technology, science, and digitalization, while enhancing its international standing.

The event runs at the Baku Convention Center from November 17 to 28, providing a platform to discuss projects and programs in cybersecurity, digital inclusion, ICT applications, innovation, ICT statistics and indicators, ICT regulation, and related areas.

Key outcomes of the conference are expected to include:

• Adoption of a global digital development roadmap (2026–2029)

• Development of a globally agreed Declaration and Action Plan

• Identification of new regional initiatives

• Establishment of global telecommunication development priorities

The conference will focus particularly on addressing digital development needs in least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS).

Over 2,000 participants from more than 150 countries attended, including representatives from the U.S., Germany, Türkiye, Russia, France, Israel, Japan, China, Thailand, Switzerland, Greece, Malaysia, Slovakia, and Kazakhstan. Ministerial or deputy ministerial-level officials from around 60 countries were also present.