Bangladesh has secured several partnerships on digital governance and public service innovation while calling for greater international cooperation to advance citizen-centric digital transformation at the 2026 United Nations Public Service Forum (UNPSF) in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam, who represented 12 countries participating in an inter-regional project, emphasized peer learning and South-South cooperation as key drivers of resilient and citizen-focused public service systems.
On the sidelines of the forum, Anam held separate bilateral meetings with Cambodian Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Vandeth Chea, ASAN Innovations Centre Executive Director Vusal Rustamov of Azerbaijan, and Astana Civil Service Hub Chairman Alikhan Baimenov of Kazakhstan.
Bangladesh and Azerbaijan agreed to pursue a structured bilateral cooperation framework focused on citizen-centric service delivery. The partnership aims to combine Azerbaijan’s ASAN Service model with Bangladesh’s integrated digital platforms to strengthen public service delivery and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
Bangladesh and Cambodia also agreed to develop a joint framework to expand digital services at the grassroots level and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into government operations. The collaboration will include technical exchanges, study visits and knowledge-sharing initiatives facilitated through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other international platforms.
One of the key outcomes of the forum was an agreement with the Astana Civil Service Hub to support the establishment of a new Innovation Agency in Bangladesh.
Building on the achievements of the government’s a2i program, the proposed agency will focus on innovation, research and leadership development in the public sector. The Astana Civil Service Hub is expected to provide technical and strategic support in designing the institution and developing leadership training programs for government officials.
Addressing a special session of the forum, Anam said global digital transformation efforts continue to face significant challenges, with failure rates estimated at between 70% and 80%.
“There is no alternative to sharing experiences and lessons learned if we are to overcome these risks,” he said.
“Peer-to-peer and South-South cooperation are not just accessories to development; they are a core component of development itself. A successful solution in one country can inspire innovation and progress in another.”
Referring to the forum theme, “Transforming Public Institutions: Advancing Innovation, Accountability, Participation and Inclusion,” the minister outlined three key pillars for effective public sector transformation: innovation, accountability and inclusion.
He said technological advancement should improve public service delivery rather than merely introduce new tools, while transparent and accountable governance mechanisms are essential to building public trust.
The minister also stressed that emerging technologies such as AI should help bridge digital divides instead of deepening social and economic inequalities.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s progress, Anam said the country is pursuing a citizen-centric digital transformation agenda under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division.
According to him, Bangladesh is adopting a Service Delivery Maturity Model and a Product Management Approach to improve service delivery and accelerate implementation.
He added that the country is working with the UNDP to explore practical applications of AI in public administration, policymaking and regulatory sandboxes, while also focusing on AI sovereignty, responsible use of technology, bias mitigation and institutional preparedness.
According to the ICT ministry, the discussions and agreements reached during the forum will support Bangladesh’s efforts to build future-ready public institutions through AI-enabled governance and Digital Public Infrastructure.
The minister concluded by reaffirming the participating countries’ commitment to mutual learning, cooperation and collective progress, expressing hope that the forum would contribute to more inclusive, accountable and innovative public services worldwide.
