Excellencies, participants,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a privilege to co-host this important Forum.

I warmly welcome all participants and thank you for joining us today to share your insights and ideas.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Communications and Informatization, and to you personally, Mr. Zalessky, for our dynamic and fruitful cooperation.

At UNDP, every day we see how technology is reshaping our world faster than ever. It helps countries deliver services faster, fosters new engines for economic growth and empowers communities with knowledge and opportunity.

Yet, this transformative power comes with profound responsibility. We must be clear-eyed about the risks: from cybersecurity and data privacy to algorithmic bias and the growing environmental footprint of digital technologies.

Harnessing the benefits of digitalization while mitigating the risks is one of the defining development challenges of our time.

To address this demands a deliberate, human-first approach, and this is precisely where UNDP focuses its expertise.  

This approach is applied in more than 130 countries, where we are working with partners to turn digital and AI ambitions into life-changing results.  

We don’t just promote technology. We build ecosystems that are inclusive, and support safeguards to keep technology human-centered.  

And we help countries pair their technology investments with equal investments in education, training, and social support.

This core focus is embedded in our new Global Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, which positions digital and AI transformation as a powerful accelerator for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ladies and gentlemen,

This global vision finds concrete expression right here, in Belarus.  

Our new Country Programme Document, aligned with the National Sustainable Development Strategy, is our commitment as Belarus’ steadfast partner on this journey.

Together with national partners, we have already taken important steps.  

A comprehensive Digital and AI Readiness Assessment engaged over 10,000 professionals from across government, business, academia, and civil society.  

It provided valuable input to the National Digital Development Strategy for 2026-2030.  

Building on this momentum, we continue to work on AI readiness in innovative businesses, on building the data economy of the future, and help develop the country’s first AI standards.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Progress comes when ambition meets partnership.  

This was the key message of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance at the 80th UN General Assembly this September. It lays the foundation for a global AI ecosystem built on three fundamental pillars: policy, science and capacity.  

Today’s Forum bridges global ideas with Belarus’ national priorities.

It comes at a critical time. It can offer insights as Belarus prepares the next generation of strategies, programmes, and action plans launching in 2026.

It also creates a dedicated space where government and business can forge partnerships, pilot AI solutions in key sectors and improve public services.  

This endeavor is enriched by international expertise delivered by our partners from Serbia and Russia, who bring experiences and perspectives as Belarus builds its own path.

Ladies and gentlemen,  

Let us seize this opportunity with shared purpose and ambition.

I wish you all productive discussions, fresh perspectives, and visionary ideas that will shape an inclusive and sustainable digital future for Belarus.

Thank you.