On February 11, President Ilham Aliyev chaired a meeting dedicated to the unified action plan titled "Azerbaijan's New Digital Architecture." The meeting focused on the country's strategic transition toward a digital economy, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), and the strengthening of cybersecurity frameworks.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the head of state delivered a comprehensive speech outlining the nation's technological priorities. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that digitalization and the application of AI are now the primary factors determining the future development of nations globally. He noted that Azerbaijan must leverage its existing infrastructure, international partnerships, and energy resources to become a regional leader in the digital sphere.
Speech by President Ilham Aliyev
"We will discuss issues related to digital development at today's meeting; there is a need for this. This issue will largely determine our future development," the President stated. He highlighted that Azerbaijan's geographical position between Asia and Europe, coupled with its experience in executing transnational energy and transport projects, provides a unique platform for developing fiber-optic corridors and data centers.
The President also noted that US President Donald Trump and the US government have recently signed a Strategic Partnership Charter with Azerbaijan, which includes cooperation in digitalization and data centers. President Ilham Aliyev stressed that Azerbaijan's energy generation capacity, which has doubled over the last 20 years to 10,000 megawatts, provides the necessary power for energy-intensive data centers and AI infrastructure.
Report by Minister Rashad Nabiyev
Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev reported that the ICT sector in Azerbaijan grew by 8.5% last year. He outlined a four-pillar action plan: accelerating digital transformation, widespread application of AI in public and private sectors, fostering an innovation ecosystem, and ensuring robust cybersecurity. The Minister also highlighted the success of the "Online Azerbaijan" project, noting that average internet speeds have increased from 12 Mbps to 90 Mbps, with a target of 200 Mbps by the end of the year.
The meeting concluded with instructions from President Ilham Aliyev to ensure close coordination between government agencies. He ordered the appointment of dedicated deputies for digitalization and cybersecurity in every ministry and the consolidation of all public services under the "mygov" platform to provide a seamless experience for citizens.
Digital transformation in Azerbaijan is part of a broader national strategy to diversify the economy away from oil and gas. By investing in human capital and high-tech infrastructure, Baku aims to increase its IT exports and integrate more deeply into the global digital value chain. The establishment of the Cybersecurity Center and the ongoing expansion of the "Government Cloud" are key components of this long-term vision for a modern, tech-driven Republic.
