WTDC-2025 Aims to Bring Internet to 2.6 Billion People

A Landmark Event for Global Digital Development…

By Shingirai Vambe

The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) is a pivotal event that will shape the future of telecommunication and information communication technology (ICT) development worldwide. Hosted by the Government of Azerbaijan in Baku from November 17 to 28, 2025, this conference will bring together over 1,500 participants, including Heads of State, government ministers, and high-level delegates from around the world.

Objectives and Outcomes

Director Telecommunications Development Bureau, Dr Cosmas Zavazava said the primary objective of WTDC-25 is to adopt a global roadmap for digital development, which will be implemented by the International telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) over the next four years (2026-2029). This roadmap will provide a framework for harnessing digital technologies to drive socio-economic development and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations for 2030.

“The conference will produce a globally agreed Declaration and Action Plan, which will outline the key strategies and objectives for telecommunication/ICT development. Furthermore, new Regional Initiatives and ITU-D Study Group questions will be adopted, and existing resolutions may be revised or abolished,” added Zavazava.

Participation and Inclusivity

In a press release, ITU said, WTDC-25 is designed to be an inclusive event, with participation from a wide range of stakeholders. According to Article 25 of the ITU Convention, the following will be admitted to the conference: Delegations of Member States, State of Palestine, Representatives of Sector Members, Observers from organizations and agencies referred to in the ITU Convention, Observers from regional and international organizations dealing with matters of interest to the conference, Academia, as observers in a non-advisory capacity.

Preparatory Process

The preparatory process for WTDC-25 involves a series of Regional Preparatory Meetings (RPMs), which aim to engage membership in the preparations of the conference and achieve regional coordination. Six RPMs were held in 2025, covering different regions, in Africa, Europe and Asia, including the Commonwealth of Independent States.

These RPMs will identify regional issues and propose initiatives to be adopted at WTDC-25. The outcomes of the RPMs will be consolidated and discussed at the Telecommunication Development Advisory Group (TDAG) meeting in 2025, and the results will be submitted to WTDC-25 as draft documents for consideration.

A Bold New Roadmap for Digital Development

WTDC-25 is a landmark event that will shape the future of telecommunication/ICT development worldwide. The conference will provide a platform for stakeholders to come together and address the pressing needs of the world’s most vulnerable populations. With the estimated 2.6 billion people worldwide who still lack an internet connection in mind, WTDC-25 will strive to draw up a bold new roadmap for harnessing digital technologies to drive socio-economic development and re-energize progress towards the SDGs.

The conference will be a crucial step towards achieving affordable and meaningful connectivity for all, and its outcomes will have a lasting impact on the future of telecommunication/ICT development.