Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam has called for mutual cooperation and experience sharing among countries to mitigate the high failure rate in digital transformation, as he delivered the welcome address on behalf of 12 nations at the 2026 United Nations Public Service Forum (UNPSF) in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Speaking at a special session on Wednesday, the minister emphasised experience sharing, institutional capacity building, and mutual partnership among countries of the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Asia-Pacific regions, according to a press release.
Fakir Mahbub Anam pointed out that the global digital transformation failure rate hovers around 70 to 80 per cent, stressing that there is no alternative to sharing mutual experiences to overcome this risk.
“Peer-to-peer and South-South Cooperation are not just accessories to development, but a core component of development itself. A successful solution in one country can inspire innovation and progress in another,” he said.
Highlighting this year’s forum theme, “Transforming Public Institutions: Advancing Innovation, Accountability, Participation and Inclusion,” the minister elaborated on three core pillars – innovation, accountability, and inclusion.
“Innovation must be purposeful. It should not merely change technological tools but fundamentally revolutionise the institutional methods of public service delivery. Without accountability, digital transformation cannot earn public trust or bring about lasting institutional change. Emerging technologies, including AI, must work to bridge the digital divide rather than widen inequality,” he said.
The ICT minister stated that a citizen-centric digital transformation process is underway under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the ICT Division. Bangladesh is adopting a “Service Delivery Maturity Model” and a “Product Management Approach” for faster execution, alongside work to shift the mindset of government officials and build Transformational Leadership.
Addressing AI, the ICT minister said while it offers immense opportunities to enhance public service efficiency, ensuring AI governance, transparency, and fairness is critical. Bangladesh is currently partnering with UNDP to explore practical applications of AI in public service, policymaking, and sandboxing, while also focusing on AI sovereignty, responsible usage, bias elimination, and institutional readiness.
On the sidelines of the forum, the minister held high-level bilateral meetings with Cambodia’s Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Vandeth Chea, Azerbaijan’s ASAN Innovations Centre Executive Director Vusal Rustamov, and Astana Civil Service Hub Chairman Alikhan Baimenov.
Bangladesh and Azerbaijan agreed to establish a sustainable bilateral cooperation agreement, leveraging Azerbaijan’s ‘ASAN Service’ and Bangladesh’s integrated digital service platforms. A joint framework is being developed with Cambodia for grassroots technology services and AI integration. In a major breakthrough, the Astana Civil Service Hub agreed to provide technical and strategic assistance to establish a new ‘Innovation Agency’ in Bangladesh, building on the successes of a2i.
The minister concluded by reiterating the commitment to mutual learning and collective progress on behalf of the 12 participating countries.
