Call for mutual cooperation to mitigate failure risks in digital transformation

Bangladesh ICT Minister Delivers Welcome Speech on Behalf of 12 Nations at UN Forum

Bangladesh's Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and ICT, Fakir Mahbub Anam, delivered the welcome address on behalf of 12 nations at the UN Public Service Forum (UNPSF) in Tbilisi, Georgia. On Wednesday, June 24, he emphasized mutual partnerships and AI governance to mitigate global digital transformation failure risks.

Jun 24, 2026 19:51

Fakir Mahbub Anam, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology of Bangladesh, has delivered the welcome address on behalf of 12 countries under the inter-regional project at the UN Public Service Forum (UNPSF) held in Tbilisi, Georgia. He delivered the speech during a special session on Wednesday, June 24.

In his speech, the Minister noted that the failure rate in digital transformation worldwide is around 70 to 80 percent. To overcome this massive risk, there is no alternative to sharing experiences and enhancing South-South Cooperation among the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Asia-Pacific regions. Highlighting the core theme of this year's forum, he explained the importance of innovation, accountability, and the inclusive use of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). He mentioned that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the ICT Division, a citizen-centric digital transformation is progressing in Bangladesh.

On the sidelines of the forum, the Minister held three crucial bilateral meetings with the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia, the Executive Director of the ASAN Innovations Centre of Azerbaijan, and the Chairman of the Astana Civil Service Hub of Kazakhstan.

Three major achievements for Bangladesh were secured from these meetings. First, Bangladesh and Azerbaijan agreed to form a structured bilateral cooperation agreement using Azerbaijan's world-famous 'ASAN Service' and Bangladesh's integrated digital service platform. Second, a joint framework will be created between Bangladesh and Cambodia for technology exchange regarding AI usage in government operations. Third, following the success of a2i, a brand new 'Innovation Agency' will be established in Bangladesh, with technical and strategic support from the Astana Hub of Kazakhstan. This paves the way for strong global partnerships in building 'AI in Governance' and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for future smart governance.

Bangladesh Highlights Digital Transformation, AI Governance and Global Partnerships at International Meetings

During the meetings, the minister outlined Bangladesh’s progress and future plans, saying that under the leadership of Chief Adviser Tarique Rahman and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division, the country is advancing a citizen-centric digital transformation agenda. To better meet citizens’ expectations, Bangladesh is adopting the Service Delivery Maturity Model and introducing a product management approach to accelerate public service delivery. Alongside technological changes, efforts are also underway to foster a transformation-oriented leadership culture and bring about a mindset shift among government officials.

Emphasising the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), the minister said AI offers enormous opportunities to improve the quality and efficiency of public services, while underscoring the need to ensure AI governance, transparency and fairness. Bangladesh is currently working jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on practical applications of AI in public service delivery, policymaking and regulatory sandboxing. Despite resource constraints, the country is also focusing on AI sovereignty, responsible use, bias mitigation and institutional preparedness.

The minister later held three key bilateral meetings with H.E. Vandeth Chea, Minister of Post and Telecommunications of Cambodia; Mr. Vusal Rustamov, Executive Director of the ASAN Innovations Centre of Azerbaijan; and Alikhan Baimenov, Chairman of the Astana Civil Service Hub of Kazakhstan.

During the meetings, the minister showcased Bangladesh’s citizen-centric digital achievements through the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) programme and called for stronger international partnerships to drive the next phase of modernization based on artificial intelligence and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Several significant and forward-looking outcomes were achieved:

Bangladesh-Azerbaijan Partnership

Bangladesh and Azerbaijan agreed to establish a structured and sustainable bilateral cooperation framework by leveraging the experience of Azerbaijan’s internationally acclaimed ASAN Service and Bangladesh’s integrated digital service platform. The partnership is expected to further strengthen citizen-centric service delivery and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh-Cambodia Digital Exchange

The two countries are developing a joint framework to expand technology-enabled services to grassroots communities and promote the use of artificial intelligence in government operations. Technical knowledge-sharing programmes and study visits will be conducted under the auspices of the UNDP and other international platforms.

Global Support for Establishing an Innovation Agency

One of the most notable outcomes of the meeting with the Astana Civil Service Hub was the decision to establish a dedicated Innovation Agency in Bangladesh, building on the success of the a2i programme. The Kazakhstan-based institution will provide technical and strategic support for setting up the agency, conducting research and delivering modern leadership development training for government officials.

//DBITECH/MZU/EK//

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