European Union Supports Central Asian Delegates Through Digital Ecosystem Study Tour
The exchange tour spanned three days, with impactful workshops and meetings between Central Asian representatives from ministries and digital connectivity related agencies in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Lithuanian counterparts. The largest input for the study visit content was provided by Communications Regulatory Authority staff by presenting topics related to digitalization and ecosystem regulation, discussions and providing tour to the lab facilities. The three days visit set the tone with knowledge sharing workshops, with session topics covering Digital Development in Lithuania; State and Public Services; Safety & the Future; Regulation; and Network Development and Services. The final day culminated with field trips to the Kaunas Lab and Dovainonys Lab in Lithuania. Last November, delegates from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan undertook the same study tour, with all five countries now benefiting from the exchange.
The study tour aimed to give Central Asian delegates an opportunity to reflect on policy and regulatory framework achievements in Lithuania; observe the interaction/involvement of the national institutions in the development of digital programs and ecosystem; and take part in presentations on efforts to create a secure, resilient, performant and sustainable digital infrastructure. It also provided a platform to portray the digitalization of public services and transformation of businesses, while touching on topics on artificial intelligence (AI) development.
Nicola Franceschetti, Program Manager for Kazakhstan and Central Asia at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan, said: “This study tour reflects the spirit of the Global Gateway: partnerships built on shared knowledge and mutual trust. By connecting Central Asian leaders with Lithuanian counterparts, we are supporting the development of secure, resilient and inclusive digital ecosystems. With participation from all five Central Asian countries, the initiative has delivered practical insights into how policy, regulation and infrastructure work together. The European Union remains a committed partner to Central Asia on this journey.”
Daler Kasymov, Deputy Head of the Information Systems Monitoring Department of the State Enterprise Information Protection Center of Tajikistan, expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm hospitality and excellent organization of the study visit. “The discussions on the development of modern network infrastructure and artificial intelligence provided valuable insights and practical experience that will contribute to the further development of our country. “
A delegate from Turkmenistan, Ashyrgeldi Atayev, Specialist, Information Security Systems Management Department, Innovation Information Center under the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan said: “The study visit to Lithuania provided valuable insights into how digital policy, secure infrastructure, and innovation can work together to support national development. Learning from Lithuania’s experience in digital transformation and public service digitalization offered practical perspectives that can contribute to future initiatives in Turkmenistan. I highly appreciate the opportunity to exchange knowledge with EU experts and fellow participants through this important initiative. In addition, the visit gave us the opportunity to experience Lithuania’s beautiful green nature, rich culture, and local cuisine, making the program both professionally valuable and personally memorable. “
Background: The TEI on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia is one of the Global Gateway flagship projects between the EU and Central Asia. This initiative aims to promote digital connectivity and the development of the digital economy in Central Asia, tackling the connectivity gap in the region by developing a high-capacity internet network and by supporting investment in satellite constellations and the deployment of ground infrastructure. It seeks to mitigate the digital divide and generate positive side effects for the wider economy, in particular for people in remote and marginalized communities.
The EU Global Gateway’s Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia soft pillar is implemented by a consortium of 5 EU cooperation agencies, coordinated by Expertise France (France) with Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania partners. Overall, it is aimed at fostering safe and inclusive satellite connectivity access and use across Central Asian countries, in particular for women, youth and marginalised groups, with the aim to support digitally-driven socio-economic inclusion.