TEHRAN – An Iranian delegation led by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Sattar Hashemi will participate in the World Telecommunications Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) from November 17 to 28, 2025.
The event will be hosted by the Azerbaijani government in Baku and will be held under the theme of “universal, meaningful and affordable connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital future,” IRIB news agency reported.
The opening ceremony began on Monday with a speech by Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union, and was attended by 150 delegates from around the world, including 40 ministers or deputy ministers.
On the sidelines of the conference, Mr. Hashemi will hold meetings with his counterparts and a number of other high-level representatives to share expertise and promote technical cooperation in various areas, including fiber optic networks, G5 technology, and artificial intelligence (AI).
WTDC serves as a catalyst for collaboration, knowledge sharing and strategic decision-making in the telecommunications sector.
This is a groundbreaking digital development conference that aims to bring affordable and meaningful connectivity to an estimated 2.6 billion people around the world who still lack internet connectivity.
The WTDC will adopt the Global Roadmap for Global Digital Development to be implemented over the next four years (2026-2029) by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecommunications Development Sector, creating a globally agreed declaration and action plan.
ICT situation
The combination of talent, data, and innovation will enable Iran to become a key player in the regional AI value chain and drive meaningful cooperation and development. Hashemi said in February that Iran is committed to fostering regional cooperation and building a future where AI drives prosperity and unity.
Underscoring that Iran is a major stakeholder in the region’s digital landscape, Hashemi said that Iran is a major player in AI in the Persian Gulf and that the country is ready to start cooperation with regional countries on this issue.
The official made the remarks while speaking at the Iran Corridor 2025 conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
He said that not only the country’s mobile operators but also digital service platforms such as Snapp! are thriving. And Digikala each serve more than 30 million users, providing a wealth of multifaceted data, an essential element for AI development, Press TV reported.
Despite facing economic sanctions, Iran has succeeded in developing a resilient fintech ecosystem that continues to thrive and innovate, Hashemi noted.
It added: “Our academic research capabilities have brought our country to the forefront of AI advancement. In 2023, Iran ranks second in the region in terms of the number and quality of scientific papers in the field of AI, demonstrating our commitment to cutting-edge research and development.”
“Iran ranks second in the region in terms of AI developers, highlighting the depth of its skilled workforce, and ranks fourth in the region in terms of number of AI companies, demonstrating a dynamic and rapidly growing ecosystem,” the Iranian minister continued.
MT/MG