Global Perspectives is on-the-record forum. Discussion and debate focus on issues of foreign policy importance only. Held twice a month, the program features policy makers, scholars and distinguished guests of ADA.

Recent programs have featured former Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former US Defense Secretary William Perry, Director General of UNIDO Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Minister of Communications and Information Technologies Ali Abbasov, Stratfor’s CEO George Friedman, Ambassadors of the foreign countries accredited in Azerbaijan and others.

Global Perspectives

Perspectives on the development of ICT in Azerbaijan and the region

June 16, 2010

The Minister of Communications and Information Technologies, Dr. Ali Abbasov, delivered a lecture about the ICT developments of Azerbaijan and global tendencies in the IT sector, noting that in the past five years approximately 1 billion dollars were invested in the IT industry in Azerbaijan, of which the private sector raised around 80 percent. In the same period, the use of the internet and other communication technology, including mobile telephony, witnessed a 5-fold increase.

The next step for Azerbaijan, the minister explained, is to expand its role as a regional information hub. In recent years, Azerbaijan's ICT Development and the World Economic Forum Network Readiness indices improved significantly, and the country is now preparing to launch its first satellite and open free economic zones for local and international IT companies, which should significantly contribute to the goal of becoming the regional information hub.

part 1
(20 MB)

part 2
(19.94 MB)

part 3
(15.52 MB)

part 4
(18.75 MB)