The regional forum was organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) jointly with the Communications Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC). The event was attended by more than 140 persons from 14 countries, representing telecommunications administrations, specialised UN agencies, intergovernmental organisations, academic institutions, etc.
At the opening ceremony, welcoming remarks were delivered by Isfandiyor Sadullo, Chairman of the Communications Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan; Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau; Alexey Borodin, Director General of the RCC; and Parvathi Ramaswami, UN Resident Coordinator in Tajikistan. Key speakers at the event were Altynbek Toktorbaev, Chairman of the Communications Regulation and Supervision Service under the Ministry of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies of the Kyrgyz Republic and Chairman of the Intersputnik Board, and Isabelle Mauro, Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA). The Forum addressed issues related to the development of the Central Asian region, including the implementation of new regional initiatives adopted at the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25).
The conference provided us with a human-centric roadmap for digital development. "At this regional forum, we are translating this global vision into regional actions by aligning national priorities with investments, partnerships and particular solutions that accelerate meaningful connectivity and inclusive digital development across the CIS region," said Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, outlining the Forum’s objectives in his opening remarks.
Andrey Kirillovich, Director of Strategy, Marketing and Business Development at Intersputnik, spoke at the roundtable dedicated to the implementation of projects under the Partner2Connect (P2C) initiative. The topic of his presentation was "International Cooperation on Capacity Building in the Field of Satellite Technologies”. Andrey Kirillovich presented to the Forum attendees Intersputnik’s initiative to support and promote young employees – Youth Far Beyond Borders, as well as a joint project with the ITU aimed at building and strengthening industry competencies. The agreement to implement this project was signed in November 2025 at WTDC-25 (read more at https://www.intersputnik.int/news-en/post.php?permalink=intersputnik-and-itu-sign-agreement-on-satcom-capacity-building-).
During the business programme of the Forum in Dushanbe, Intersputnik representatives had a meeting with Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava to discuss the results of the first satellite communications training seminar held in Bishkek under this agreement ( https://www.intersputnik.int/news-en/post.php?permalink=international-seminar-on-regulations-and-satellite-networks-development-in-central-asia), new partnership activities and the potential for expanding the partnership, including preparations for global 2027–2028 ITU events with the participation of Intersputnik experts. Representatives of the Organization particularly highlighted the personal contribution of the Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau to the successful implementation of the joint Intersputnik-ITU project aimed at developing industry competencies. Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava was ceremoniously presented with an official letter of appreciation from Intersputnik.
The Intersputnik delegation also took part in the 66th meeting of the Council of Heads of Communications Administrations of the RCC and the 33rd meeting of the CIS Coordination Council of the RCC, which were held simultaneously with ITU events.
The ITU Regional Development Forum for the CIS Region and the agreements reached there marked a new stage in the implementation of joint initiatives by Intersputnik and the ITU. Today, equal and mutually beneficial international cooperation is a prerequisite for creating digital ecosystems using satellite technologies and connecting the unconnected worldwide. Intersputnik and the ITU are continuing to implement the agreement signed in Baku in 2025 and plan to further enhance the skills and capabilities of national personnel in the satellite industry. Recognising the importance and leading role of cooperation, both organisations are establishing and promoting new platforms for dialogue and the exchange of views and up-to-date information among all market players, including government and commercial entities, academic institutions, regulators, as well as global and regional international organisations.
Photo from ©ITU/D. Sadulloev