As the second and final week of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC 25) opens at the Baku Convention Center in Azerbaijan, attention shifts to the decisive choices ahead and the strategic commitments taking shape.

Following an intense first week of dialogue and negotiations, delegations now prepare for the concluding steps: adoption of the Baku Declaration, completion of the 2026–2029 Action Plan, and votes on key resolutions.

The opening days of WTDC 25 set the tone for its ambitions. The high level segment, bringing together ministers and senior officials, showcased strong political visions around universal connectivity, digital inclusion, and investment in infrastructure. Technical working groups – notably WG PL, responsible for the Declaration and strategic plan – began outlining the operational framework for the years ahead.

In parallel, COM 3 focused on objectives, engaging in constructive debates on service access, digital training, innovation, and cybersecurity. COM 4, tasked with working methods, launched an essential reflection on how to make ITU D’s action more transparent, participatory, and effective.
On the diplomatic front, delegations multiplied opportunities for exchange – breakfasts, receptions, luncheons, official coffee gatherings. These informal settings strengthened alliances, particularly around digital development priorities.

At the heart of these discussions, the Telecommunications Regulatory Board played a strategic role. Its active presence in workshops and committees underscored its determination to shape the digital development agenda. By participating in negotiations within WG PL and COM 3, TRB defended national interests while aligning with global objectives: promoting fairer connectivity, anticipating regulatory shifts, and encouraging targeted investment. This stance has given TRB significant influence in drafting the Baku Declaration, while enhancing its credibility with donors and international partners.

The agenda for the coming week is structured around crucial sessions: COM 3 will reconvene to finalize resolutions and prioritize initiatives for the Action Plan. WG PL members will continue refining the Declaration text with the aim of reaching an adoptable version. COM 4 will invite its members to debate governance mechanisms and implementation modalities. Plenary sessions will also be held, allowing heads of delegation to exchange views and endorse the final texts.

Protocol will remain lively: coffee breaks and receptions – including an official luncheon hosted by the United Kingdom – will punctuate the days, in line with ITU’s social program.

Midway through, WTDC 25 appears to be approaching a turning point: the political discussions of the first week laid the foundations, but now operational decisions must take shape. Through its engagement in strategic bodies, TRB could emerge as a pivotal actor in steering the final outcomes. If the adopted texts reflect the ambitions set at the outset, the Declaration and Action Plan from this conference may well chart the digital roadmap for the years ahead.