Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a profound honour to welcome you to Dushanbe for this Regional Development Forum. I extend our deepest gratitude to the Government of Tajikistan for hosting us and to the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications for its continued partnership.
This Forum is not merely a regular meeting. We gather as the final stage of this region's preparations for the 2026 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference. Our discussions here in Tajikistan will directly shape the CIS position on the global stage. The stakes could not be higher.
Just ten months ago, in Baku, the ITU family made history. WTDC-25 was the first World Telecommunication Development Conference ever held in the CIS region. That landmark event, hosted by Azerbaijan with remarkable success, concluded with the adoption of the Baku Action Plan and the Baku Declaration—a people-centred digital development roadmap for the 2026-2029 cycle. The theme, "Universal, Meaningful, and Accessible Connectivity," now guides our collective mission.
Excellencies,
Today, we are here to translate the global vision of WTDC-25 into regional action. The conference gave us a clear mandate and new tools:
The Five Regional Initiatives for the CIS (2026-2029) are now our definitive framework. These initiatives recognize this region's unique challenges and opportunities:
1. CIS1: New and Emerging Systems and Networks — From metaverse implementation to green ICTs and spectrum management, we must accelerate the deployment of next-generation infrastructure.
2. CIS2: Digital Education and Skills — This initiative explicitly prioritizes digital inclusion for persons with disabilities and those with specific needs. The adoption of the new project with Intersputnik—which will benefit 300 professionals in satellite communications and broadcasting—is a direct outcome of WTDC-25 and a concrete example of partnership in action.
3. CIS3: Cybersecurity and Countering Fraud — The Baku resolutions emphasized building confidence and security. We must strengthen incident response teams across the region, including in Central Asia, to protect our critical information infrastructure.
4. CIS4: Enabling Environment and Regulation — This requires shaping modern regulatory frameworks, including for AI and non-geostationary satellite orbit systems. The Baku Action Plan explicitly calls for policies that encourage private sector investment to close infrastructure gaps.
5. CIS5: Development and Implementation of AI Technologies — A landmark achievement of WTDC-25 was prioritizing AI for development. This initiative explores the use of AI to improve quality of life for persons with disabilities, monitor climate parameters, and build the regional "AI for Good" platform.
These initiatives are not abstract concepts; they are our roadmap to measurable impact.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Let me address the subject of Matchmaking Roundtables: From Pledges to Impact.
Over the next two days, one of our most critical sessions will be the matchmaking roundtables. This is where the vision of WTDC-25 becomes tangible under the Partner2Connect Coalition initiative. Today, we have received pledges to the tune of 100 billion dollars.
These roundtables are designed to match the pledges announced by partners with country and regional priorities. We are not here just to speak; we are here to connect needs with solutions.
- To governments: articulate your specific national priorities.
- To the private sector and international organizations: present your pledges and investment opportunities.
- To development partners: align your resources with the five Regional Initiatives.
The goal is simple: to create a pipeline of funded, actionable projects that deliver on the Baku Action Plan's promise of universal, useful, and affordable connectivity for everyone, everywhere.
Distinguished colleagues, our work here in Dushanbe is the culmination of a two-year process that began with Regional Preparatory Meetings and culminated in the Baku, WTDC-25. As we prepare for PP-26, I call on all Member States to take advantage of this RDF and:
1. Champion the Baku Action Plan as our common position.
2. Actively engage in the matchmaking roundtables and forge new partnerships.
3. Align national strategies with the five Regional Initiatives.
The digital divide remains a reality. More than 2 billion people worldwide are still offline. In this region and across other regions, while progress is significant, divides between urban and rural areas, and between different social groups, persist.
We must leave no one behind.
Together, we can build a digital future that delivers sustainable prosperity and well-being for all including across the CIS.
Thank you for your commitment. Let us make these two days in Dushanbe a true springboard for action.
