Public hearing held on reforms in digital development, innovation, artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity

10 July 2026

The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport organized a public hearing dedicated to the reforms being implemented in the fields of digital development, innovation, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The event brought together representatives of startups, investment funds, local and international companies, technopark residents and experts. Farid Osmanov, Chairman of the Board of the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA), Kaul Mammadov, Director of the Agency’s Legal Department, and Taleh Karimli, Director of the Innovation Ecosystem Department, also participated in the public hearing.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Hasanov provided information on the work carried out to accelerate digital development, the results achieved and the targets ahead. He stated that important decisions serving as a roadmap for digital development had been adopted at a meeting chaired by President Ilham Aliyev in February this year. In accordance with those decisions, the “Action Plan for 2026–2028 on Accelerating Digital Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan” was approved. The Digital Development Council was established to ensure that state policy in the areas of digitalization, electronic government, artificial intelligence and innovation is implemented through a unified approach.

The Deputy Minister noted that the Council’s activities would make an important contribution to strengthening coordination among government institutions, accelerating digital transformation and facilitating the transition to an innovation-driven economic model. The first meeting of the Digital Development Council was held on June 29, 2026, under the chairmanship of First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva. The meeting reviewed the implementation status of the Action Plan and the work carried out on legislative reforms in the field of digital development.

The document sets out the country’s digital transformation and technological development priorities for the next three years. A number of measures have already been implemented under the Action Plan, and the process is continuing. It was reported that work is underway on the “mygov” and “mygov business” platforms to make public services more accessible to citizens and businesses. Services provided by government institutions are being gradually integrated into a unified ecosystem, while steps are being taken to digitalize non-digital services and increase the share of proactive services.

The development of the innovation ecosystem, the expansion of ICT exports and the transformation of Azerbaijan into a regional technology hub are also among the key priorities. To this end, a comprehensive reform package has been prepared to support technological development and improve the legislative framework. The application of artificial intelligence in public administration and public services is one of the main areas covered by the Action Plan. This includes the establishment of high-performance computing infrastructure and the enhancement of public services through AI-based solutions.

Strengthening cybersecurity is of particular importance to ensuring the secure and reliable continuation of digital transformation. Legal and institutional reforms are being implemented in this area. The successful implementation of the strategic objectives will make a significant contribution to strengthening the country’s technological potential, reinforcing its digital sovereignty and building a competitive economy.

The public hearing also featured a presentation on the legislative initiatives envisaged under the Action Plan for the development of the innovation ecosystem. Participants’ proposals and views were heard during the event, and an extensive exchange of opinions took place on the main areas of the digital development agenda, the reforms being implemented and the priorities ahead.