Global leaders launch Samarkand Declaration to strengthen technology diplomacy worldwide

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye

World leaders have officially adopted the Samarkand Declaration on Technology Diplomacy, marking the launch of a new global initiative aimed at ensuring every nation has a voice in shaping the digital future. The declaration was unveiled on November 1, 2025, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, during UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference, the first held outside Paris in four decades.

The Samarkand Declaration introduces a voluntary global framework to support countries in developing diplomatic capacity for technology governance, especially in emerging areas such as AI, data protection, and cybersecurity. It establishes four core pillars for participating states: appointment of dedicated Tech Ambassadors or equivalent representatives, coordinated contributions to digital standards, participation in an annual Global Tech Diplomacy Forum, and universal accessibility for all UNESCO member nations regardless of economic or political status.

The initiative responds to widening disparities in tech representation, where more than 170 countries currently lack formal tech diplomacy structures, while fragmented regulations and conflicting data protection laws continue to create global governance gaps.

Leaders at the launch stressed the need for inclusive cooperation in the digital era. The Tech Diplomacy Institute will begin a series of continental signing events from 2026 to 2028, with a goal of universal adoption by 2030. Among the early signatories is IT Park Uzbekistan, a major driver of startup development and IT sector growth in the country.