The ITU Regional Development Forum for the CIS (RDF‑CIS) will take place in Dushanbe on September 29–30, themed "Universal, Meaningful, and Affordable Connectivity for an Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Future."

The Forum is organized by the International Telecommunication Union, together with the Communications Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The RDF‑CIS opening was attended by:

• Mr. Isfandiyor Sa'dullo, Head of the Communication Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan

• Mr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT)

• Mr. Alexey Borodin, Director General of the RCC

• Ms. Parvathy Ramaswami, UN Resident Coordinator for Tajikistan

• Mr. Khurshed Mirzo, Director of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan

The Head of the Communications Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan was elected to chair of the RDF‑CIS.

The first session of the RDF‑CIS focused on the state of digital development in the region and was moderated by RCC Director General Mr. Alexey Borodin.

The discussion was framed by Ms. Natalia Mochu, ITU Regional Director for CIS.

Views were exchanged by:

• Mr. Isfandiyor Sa'dullo, Head of the Communication Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan

• Mr. Jamol Makhsudov, Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan

• Mr. Damir Seisembekov, Chairman of the Telecommunications Committee of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan

• Mr. Altynbek Toktorbayev, Chairman of the Service for Regulation and Supervision in the Communications Industry under the Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Digital Development and Innovation Technologies

The discussion focused on:

• New trends, structural challenges, and strategic opportunities shaping the region's digital transformation

• Gaps in infrastructure and connectivity, policy and regulatory readiness, digital skills, and the investment environment

On the second day of the Forum, specialized sessions will be held, aligned with the Regional Initiatives for CIS countries for 2026–2029, approved by the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC‑25). These sessions will cover topics such as:

• Next‑generation ICT infrastructure and emerging technologies

• Innovation, capacity building, and human‑centered digital development

• Measures to support digital transformation: policy and regulatory environment, and cybersecurity

• Artificial intelligence (AI) for digital development and innovation.

The RDF‑CIS program will also feature a special session for landlocked countries.

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