Mr. Sameddin Fakhraddin Oghlu Asadov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Economic, Republic of Azerbaijan and Chair of our Second Inter-Regional Meeting,
distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to this second Inter‑Regional Meeting or IRM-2.
It is a pleasure to address you one more time before the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25).
Let me begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to the Government of Azerbaijan.
I am confident that their extra-ordinary hospitality and support will make a great success of WTDC‑25 in Baku in November.
Since our first IRM in July, the Secretariat, hand in hand with colleagues in the host country, Azerbaijan, are working tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the Conference is on track.
I am pleased to announce that we have successfully completed the regional briefing sessions across all regions which we have no doubt benefitted especially new delegates who had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with procedures pertaining to the WTDC.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the RTOs for their dedicated efforts in organizing these meetings and to our team who provided the briefings.
Today's meeting is our final checkpoint before Baku. We have 14 contributions from Membership and three Secretariat documents. It is my hope that this IRM will enhance our preparations and help the regions and the membership to coordinate and find common positions at WTDC-25.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Once again, allow me to highlight two important pre‑conference events on 16 November.
One is the Global Youth Celebration which will bring fresh energy and perspectives on the engagement of young people in the digital development agenda and the second is the Dinner Celebration to reflect on the 30+ years of impact generated by the Development Sector.
I want to thank those Member States and Sector Members that have generously provided sponsorship in support of this event. A call for further sponsorship is still open.
Distinguished Delegates,
WTDC‑25 is our opportunity to set the course for the next four years of digital development and to make sure these four years are characterised by real impact.
As I conclude, I want to thank all of you for your hard work throughout the preparatory process that begun with the Working Groups of TDAG, and for that, I thank Roxanne, our Chair. We have been together through the RPMs, IRM-1, and now this IRM-2. In my view, we have put in enough hours to avoid night sessions and weekends.
Thank you!
