Statement by the Delegation of the Republic of Azerbaijan

at the Second Committee of the eightieth session of the United Nations General Assembly under agenda item 15: “ICTs for Sustainable Development”

Delivered by Ms. Husniyya Mammadova, Counselor

10 October 2025

Mr. Chairman,

The Secretary-General’s report and the Global Digital Compact serve as a timely call to action, reminding us of both the progress we’ve made and the substantial work that remains in closing digital divides, ensuring a safe digital space, and responsibly governing AI. These are not abstract concepts; they are the core of Azerbaijan’s own digital transformation journey.

Our strategy is built on five pillars that align directly with the global agenda.

1. Meaningful Connectivity and Global Resilience

Our first priority has moved beyond basic access to achieving meaningful connectivity. Over the past decade, we have aggressively expanded nationwide broadband and prepared for next-generation mobile services.

Regionally, we are implementing the Trans-Caspian Digital Corridor, a flagship project of the Digital Silk Way. Once operational, this will create a resilient, low-latency data route linking Europe and Asia across the Caspian Sea. This is more than a national effort; it is a critical contribution to global connectivity resilience, strengthening international digital backbones as called for by the ITU.

2. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)

Second, we focus on Digital Public Infrastructure. Our ASAN Service centers and the myGov portal have demonstrated how integrated platforms can deliver secure, citizen-centric services at scale. Millions now access social services, licenses, and permits through unified digital interfaces.

As the Global Digital Compact emphasizes, this infrastructure must be trusted, accessible, and rights-based. We are committed to embedding these safeguards while continuing to broaden access for rural communities, women, and youth. Privacy and cybersecurity must remain at the core of every platform.

3. Human-Centric AI Governance

Third is Artificial Intelligence. Earlier this year, Azerbaijan adopted its National AI Strategy for 2025–2028. This framework is designed to promote innovation, embed ethics and safety, and align with international standards. We are already establishing regulatory sandboxes and national standards to ensure AI becomes a tool for inclusive growth and empowerment, not exclusion and risk. This reflects the Compact’s vision of human-centric, responsible AI governance.

This is a global technology, and it demands a global approach. We must strengthen international cooperation to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes a global public good and its benefits are shared evenly, leaving no nation behind.

4. Cybersecurity and Trust

Fourth, trust is the foundation of the digital economy. We are significantly strengthening our cybersecurity architecture by enhancing network resilience, improving incident-response capacity, and updating regulatory quality. These steps not only protect our users but also attract responsible investment and build confidence in our digital market. We must advance cyber-resilience and information integrity in alignment with international cooperation frameworks.

5. Green Digital Growth

Finally, we are prioritizing green digital growth. Azerbaijan is integrating renewable energy into its entire ICT backbone, from data centers to satellite operations. We aim to be a major exporter of multi-gigawatts of green energy by 2040. Aligning our digital growth with sustainability is essential; our digital and green agendas reinforce each other through smart grids, climate monitoring, and energy-efficient infrastructure. This fully aligns with the WSIS+20 findings on environmentally sustainable digital transformation.

Mr. Chairman, later this year, Azerbaijan will proudly host the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Baku in November 2025. We stand ready to facilitate this critical dialogue and to work with all partners in shaping an ICT future that is people-centered, development-oriented, and globally connected.

We look forward to engaging with you all—this November in Baku and beyond—in building our shared digital future.

Thank you.