Prospects for Cooperation between Kazakhstan and the International Telecommunication Union Discussed, DKnews.kz reports.
Kairat Torebayev, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the WTO and International Economic Organizations, met with Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
During the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and future prospects of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the ITU. Permanent Representative Torebayev highlighted that since joining the ITU in 1993, Kazakhstan has actively contributed to the work of all three sectors of the organization – telecommunications, radio communication, and development. Kazakhstan regularly participates in global and regional ITU conferences, including the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC), the World Radio communication Conference (WRC), and the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA).
Special attention was given to Kazakhstan’s key achievements, such as the registration and coordination of the national geostationary satellite system “KazSat” within ITU frameworks, as well as the successful auctioning of 5G frequencies, which generated approximately 330 million US dollars in revenue in 2023, significantly contributing to the country’s digital infrastructure development.
The Permanent Representative emphasized Kazakhstan’s commitment to the GovStack initiative. In November 2023, a joint declaration was signed with the ITU, followed by a trilateral grant agreement in August 2024 between the ITU, the Eurasian Development Bank, and National Information Technologies JSC, totaling 100,000 US dollars. The project aims to create a regional platform to standardize digital public services and promote knowledge sharing among countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Secretary-General Bogdan-Martin commended the high level of digitalization in Kazakhstan, noting that the country could serve as a model not only for the region but also for many developed nations. She proposed leveraging the ITU platform to showcase Kazakhstan’s best practices, including participation in key international events such as the WSIS+20 High-Level Event, which will take place in Geneva from 7 to 11 July 2025.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Kazakh side invited the Secretary-General to attend the upcoming Digital Bridge 2025 forum, scheduled for 2-4 October 2025 in Astana under the theme “Generative Nation.” Kazakhstan also confirmed its interest in hosting future regional ITU events and technical trainings. Both sides expressed a strong commitment to further strengthening cooperation in the areas of digital transformation, frequency coordination, and ICT development.
