Member states of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have agreed on a global roadmap to ensure universal connectivity, following the conclusion of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25) held in Baku.
According to ITU, the newly adopted Baku Action Plan establishes a people-centered framework for digital development driven by telecommunications and ICTs.
The document places particular emphasis on the needs of developing countries, underserved regions, and vulnerable population groups.
The main outcome document of WTDC-25 includes updated and new resolutions guiding ITU’s future work in digital development, as well as recommendations for the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D).
The plan also introduces new initiatives aimed at addressing key digital-development challenges across ITU-D regions and outlines updated themes for expert study groups.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin described the Baku Declaration and Action Plan as “a roadmap for people-centered digital development based on the principle of leaving no one behind.”
ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau Director Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava said the WTDC-25 outcomes reflect the needs, priorities and expectations of member states.
“They shape a forward-looking and results-oriented digital development agenda. The plan outlines steps to close remaining digital divides, taking into account the unique challenges of least developed countries, landlocked developing states and small island developing states. We expect to achieve tangible results and accelerate digital transformation by working with governments and regulators to create an enabling policy and regulatory environment. Such an environment will allow industry and the private sector to invest more actively and support efforts to close infrastructure gaps, ensuring meaningful and affordable connectivity for all,” Zavazava said.
Three agreements signed at WTDC-25
Several new partnership agreements were concluded on the sidelines of the conference:
1. Asia-Pacific “Smart Villages and Islands” resilience project
A two-year initiative to strengthen national “smart village” and “smart island” programs in the Asia-Pacific region, implemented in cooperation with Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA).
The project will serve as a model for improving digital skills and expanding access to digital services in rural and remote communities, directly benefiting seven countries and around 3,000 people.
2. Digital-skills development in the CIS region
A capacity-building program focusing on satellite communications and broadcasting technologies, carried out in partnership with Intersputnik. The initiative will support around 300 specialists across CIS countries.
3. Gender-inclusive digital trade initiative
A new partnership launched with Senegal’s telecommunications and postal regulator to expand digital and social skills for young women entrepreneurs in the textile and food-processing sectors. The program aims to advance gender-inclusive digital trade and strengthen the role of women in digital economies.
