The Conference on Digital Transformation in Central Asia (DTCA) took place in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek on October 4-6.
This three-day international conference was jointly hosted by the University of Central Asia (UCA), State Committee for Information Technology and Communications, and the High Technology Park of the Kyrgyz Republic, and included a day-long session at UCA’s campus in Naryn, according to the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
The DTCA conference reportedly brought together over 20 international speakers from 12 countries, and over 100 leading technology leaders from Central Asia, to discuss current and future technology trends in Central Asia. Technology professionals, government officials, educators, and researchers reportedly discussed the latest approaches to solving intriguing challenges in the fields of data collection and analysis, digitizing government services, management (public and private enterprise), cyber security, and the increasing role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in education and research.
Besides providing an unprecedented opportunity for networking with the best minds in the business, the presence of representatives from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, and SAP, as well as Telecommunications, Mining, and Energy fields in Central Asia, provided a window into the depth of expected dialogue and discussion.
In his inaugural address, Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov announced that “We have set the goal to make Kyrgyzstan the top country in the region in terms of digitization.” He added, “Digital technologies are changing the nature of global economy by creating opportunities for every country to have wide-ranging involvement in the global process. In order to effectively use these opportunities, we need to create a new mindset that can implement these developments in public administration and business.”
The Digital CASA – Kyrgyz Republic project and Open Data were partners of the event, and Cisco-Greenlight IT Solutions and Consulting was the lead sponsor. Other sponsors included Logic Company, TallyMarks Consulting, Bai Tushum Bank, First MicroFinance Company and the Soros Foundation.
Among the sponsors of the conference was the Russian Federation UNDP which collaborates with partners to promote policy responses and business decisions to end extreme poverty, curb inequalities, and fast-track progress for the people who have been left furthest behind.
The conference organizers hope that this conference marks the beginning of new partnerships and initiatives that sustain and grow digital transformation into the future.
