CADGov Forum
The Central Asia Digital Governance Forum is a regional initiative that brings together government officials and agencies across Central Asia to advance digital governance capabilities and citizen empowerment. Launched through a partnership between the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan and UNU-EGOV (United Nations University Operational Unit in Policy-driven Electronic Governance), CADGov creates a dedicated platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and strategic development in the digital governance sphere. The forum addresses the critical need for robust national and local e-government infrastructures in the region, recognising that governments play a pivotal role in delivering public services and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
CADGov operates with three core objectives that drive its regional mission. The forum facilitates the sharing of experiences and best practices among member countries, actively fosters synergies between participating nations, and promotes the design and assessment of both regional and national strategies for digital governance and citizen empowerment. The forum envisions playing a significant role in articulating digital governance development initiatives at multiple levels while voicing the region's priorities in international forums. While CADGov focuses primarily on the five countries that formally constitute Central Asia, the forum maintains an open approach to participation from other Asian countries, recognising the interconnected nature of digital governance challenges.
The forum operates under the leadership of a Coordinating Committee chaired by His Excellency, the Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, with technical support provided by UNU-EGOV. This structure ensures both high-level political commitment and technical expertise in guiding the forum's activities and strategic direction. CADGov targets two primary outcomes that will strengthen digital governance across the region:
- Increased capacity by strengthening the ability of government officials to plan, implement, and manage e-government initiatives at both national and local levels.
- Enhanced collaboration by improving regional cooperation and coordination in developing and implementing digital governance strategies that contribute to the broader goals of the UN Global Digital Compact.
CADGov officially launched during the United Nations Public Service Forum 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with an inaugural workshop on "The Next Generation of Public Services: Innovation, Technology, and Citizen-Centric Solutions". The Coordinating Committee has developed a comprehensive plan of activities for the 2025-2026 period, including promoting webinars on current topics in digital governance, preparing a comprehensive report on digital governance progress in Central Asia, and implementing joint regional cooperation initiatives.
The forum will address critical areas including challenges specific to Central Asia, new technologies and innovation in public services, citizen-centric design approaches, digital inclusion, local governance dimensions, and partnerships that can transform Central Asia into a recognised digital hub.