BAKU, Azerbaijan, Updated at 1628 EAT on Tuesday 14 October 2025 – Global leaders in information and communication technologies will gather in Baku this November to shape a new roadmap for inclusive digital development at the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25).
Doreen Bogdan-Martin – ITU Boss
The high-level event, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and hosted by the Government of Azerbaijan, will run from 17 to 28 November under the theme: “Universal, meaningful, and affordable connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital future.”
The conference comes at a critical time, with ITU estimating that 2.6 billion people worldwide remain unconnected to the Internet, most of them in the world’s least developed countries (LDCs), landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS).
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“For the 2.6 billion unconnected, digital development is more than a technical challenge. It is a test of our collective commitment to an inclusive, sustainable digital future for all,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “WTDC-25 is our moment to transform that commitment into action so that everyone, everywhere can benefit from technology.”
A milestone for Azerbaijan
The 2025 edition will mark the first time the WTDC is held in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
“Hosting WTDC-25 in Baku is both an honour and a historic vote of confidence from the ITU, forged over three decades of partnership since 1992,” said Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport. “By providing the venue for this important conference, Azerbaijan reaffirms its leadership in meaningful connectivity, sustainable digital transformation, and shaping the future of global telecommunications.”
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Setting global telecommunication priorities
WTDC, held every four years, is ITU’s key forum for shaping telecommunication and digital development priorities. In Baku, ITU Member States will:
Set the strategic agenda for ITU’s Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) for 2026–2029. Adopt regional initiatives to address specific connectivity challenges. Approve study questions to guide technical and policy work over the next four years.
“Sustainable digital transformation calls for bold, human-centred action, supported by resilient infrastructure, innovation and inclusiveness,” said Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. “WTDC-25 is our opportunity to define the next steps to bridge the multiple digital divides and make meaningful connectivity a reality for everyone.”
Digital inclusion at the heart of sustainable development
As the world approaches the end of the decade, WTDC-25 is expected to reaffirm the central role of digital technologies in driving social and economic progress, protecting the planet, and advancing global prosperity.
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About ITU:
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies. Established in 1865, ITU brings together 194 Member States and more than 1,000 companies, universities, civil society groups, and international organizations. ITU coordinates the global use of radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develops international technology standards, and drives initiatives to ensure that everyone — including the most remote communities — benefits from digital transformation. From artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to satellites, submarine cables, and 5G/6G networks, ITU is committed to connecting the world and beyond. Learn more: www.itu.int
HICGI News Agency 