Mr. Noriyon, First Deputy Head of Communications Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan,
Excellencies,
Distinguished panellists,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to start by commending the Government of Tajikistan, through its Permanent Mission to the UN, for its important leadership as Coordinator of the LLDCs in Geneva.
For LLDCs, digital connectivity is more than an enabler of development: it is a strategic means of overcoming some of the constraints imposed by geography and connecting people, communities and economies to opportunity.
Today’s event gives us an opportunity to move to concrete action.
Of the nine states covered by ITU’s CIS Regional Office, seven are Landlocked Developing Countries; globally, there are 32 LLDCs. They are diverse in their cultures, traditions and peoples, yet they share one defining structural constraint: geography.
The absence of direct maritime access can mean higher trade costs, weaker integration into global markets and persistent supply-chain vulnerabilities. In the digital sphere, it can also increase dependence on cross-border infrastructure, transit arrangements and regional interoperability.
During our High-Level Dialogue on LLDCs held at the WSIS Forum this year, I highlighted three priorities for LLDCs.
First, expand digital access through broadband, satellite connectivity and resilient last-mile infrastructure.
Second, invest in digital literacy and skills so that people across all segments of society can participate in the digital economy.
Third, build trust through strong data-protection and privacy frameworks, cybersecurity and inclusive digital governance. Access, skills and trust must advance together if digital transformation is to be inclusive, secure and sustainable.
There has been encouraging progress. Internet penetration in LLDCs rose from 29.5 per cent in 2020 to around 37.6 per cent in 2025, while approximately 92 per cent of the population in the CIS region uses the Internet. Yet adoption alone does not guarantee affordable, resilient and high-capacity connectivity for all. Significant disparities persist in fixed broadband infrastructure, rural coverage, service quality and affordability.
As highlighted in our publication, “Measuring Digital Development: State of Digital Development and Trends in the CIS Region”, approximately one-third of the region’s population lives within 10 kilometres of a fibre-optic node.
This underlines the continuing need to extend high-capacity infrastructure to underserved communities.
To overcome these constraints and unlock the potential of digital transformation, we need coordinated, investment-driven action at scale, grounded in strong partnerships.
Globally, the Telecommunication Development Bureau is implementing close to 20 projects supporting LLDCs, covering the full spectrum of digital development. From connectivity and digital infrastructure to boosting digital skills, cybersecurity, digital government, early-warning systems and innovative digital applications. Together, these initiatives reflect ITU’s commitment to ensuring that LLDCs continue to build the foundations for inclusive, resilient and sustainable digital transformation.
The voices and priorities of LLDCs, together with LDCs and SIDS, were at the heart of discussions at the 2025 World Telecommunication Development Conference.
At the special session held on the sidelines of the conference, discussions were held to galvanize the deliberations of WTDC as a whole to ensure that its outcomes reflect the realities of these groups of countries.
In continuing these efforts, the Telecommunication Development Bureau is also putting together partnership roundtables for groups of countries from mid next year, and this will include LLDCs.
These roundtables will bring together governments, development finance institutions, private investors and technical partners around a shared pipeline of priority ICT projects. Their purpose is practical: to help move nationally identified projects from plans towards technical preparation, financing and implementation.
ITU brings the technical expertise needed to plan infrastructure that is resilient, interoperable and aligned with national priorities.
We put in place enabling regulatory frameworks, map broadband infrastructure, as well as collect and analyse statistical data on country and regional connectivity—all of which are critical for LLDCs that depend on transit countries.
Beyond infrastructure, we help countries strengthen digital skills and institutional capacity so that investment translates into inclusive and sustainable outcomes. In this way, our support advances the three priorities of access, skills and trust.
Let us use this session to turn shared priorities into investable projects, stronger regional cooperation and tangible results for people across LLDCs. ITU stands ready to work with you to advance that ambition, and I look forward to a focused and fruitful discussion this morning.
Thank you.
