The World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) Kicks Off Today in Baku, Azerbaijan
17 NOV 2025
The World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) officially commenced today in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and will continue from 17 to 28 November. This conference is considered one of the most important events for developing countries, as it discusses key resolutions aimed at supporting these countries within the five priority areas of the ITU Development Sector (ITU-D):
affordable connectivity, digital transformation, enabling policy and regulatory environments, resource mobilization and international cooperation, and universal and secure telecommunications to achieve sustainable development.
Sudan is participating in the conference and will present a resolution calling for support in rebuilding the telecommunications infrastructure destroyed by the war and in bridging the digital divide.
Sudan is also participating in the conference committees through the position of Vice-Chair for the African Continent in Committee Three concerned with the goals of the Development Sector.
Statement of Sudan Before the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) Delivered by H.E. Eng. Ahmed Dirdiri Ghandour, Minister of Digital Transformation and Telecommunications
Baku – 17 November 2025
Your Excellencies Ministers, Her Excellency Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Ms.Doreen Bogdan-Martin, His Excellency Deputy Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, Distinguished Directors of the ITU Development, Standardization, and Radio Sectors; His Excellency the Esteemed Conference Chairman; Your Esteemed Excellencies Heads of Participating Delegations; Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
I am honored to share with you this international conference that brings us together around a common strategic goal: promoting inclusive, meaningful, and resilient connectivity that paves the way for a more comprehensive and sustainable digital future for all. I am pleased to convey to you the greetings of the Government of Sudan and its appreciation to the International Telecommunication Union for its role in supporting countries and enabling digital development paths.
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Attendees,
The digital divide between nations continues to widen unless all countries and organizations stand together to bridge it through fair and effective partnerships that contribute to expanding digital access and building capacities. In Sudan, we have faced a difficult test in recent years where vital telecommunications infrastructure was subjected to great pressures and challenges, and services that citizens rely on in their daily transactions were affected, impacting the education, health, and basic services sectors. However, what that phase proved is that the strength of nations is not measured by what they face… but by what they rise to build afterward, and that national will is capable of rebuilding with steady steps and a clearer vision.
Distinguished Attendees,
Based on this experience, Sudan launched a comprehensive national program to reorganize the digital governance system, based on:
Sudan is also participating in the conference committees through the position of Vice-Chair for the African Continent in Committee Three concerned with the goals of the Development Sector.
Enhancing access to telecommunications services is at the heart of this program. Rural and remote areas still face challenges in coverage, either due to their geographical nature or their impact on terrestrial networks. To address this, Sudan is studying satellite communication solutions as a key element in the national coverage strategy, to ensure vital services reach schools, health facilities, and remote villages, and to secure the continuity of communications during emergencies when traditional networks are damaged. We are also working to develop a resilient digital system by enhancing cybersecurity, developing digital identity, and preparing a supportive environment for youth and entrepreneurs in the digital economy. These efforts embody the state’s commitment to serving its citizens and providing secure, reliable, and affordable communication services.
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Attendees,
Sudan possesses a strategic location that enables it to contribute to enhancing regional connectivity, thanks to its vantage point on the Red Sea, its connection with seven landlocked countries, and a young and ambitious population base. Building on these advantages, the government is working to:
Sudan is submitting a draft resolution to this conference to rehabilitate the telecommunications sector’s infrastructure, to support digital access for citizens, enhance the readiness of vital institutions, and accelerate the return of essential services relied upon by the community.
Mr. Chairman,
In conclusion, as Sudan enters a new phase of national awakening today, a phase that translates resilience into vision, challenge into opportunity, and hope into a clear path of action. We return not as we were, but stronger, clearer, and more determined that digital transformation should be a project that restores the rights of the Sudanese person, the status of the state, and the natural role of the African continent in the future of the global digital economy.
I am pleased to convey to you the greetings of the Government of Sudan and its appreciation to the International Telecommunication Union(ITU) for its role in supporting countries and enabling digital development paths.
Thank you to the International Telecommunication Union(ITU), and thank you to everyone who stands with us on this journey, a journey towards a connected… strong… and ready Sudan to lead change.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
