On Thursday the 13th of November 2025, a delegation of Central Asian ministry and digital agency leaders completed a week-long digital ecosystem series of knowledge exchange workshops and tour of facilities that was funded by the European Union (EU) through the Connectivity for Central Asia (C4CA) program – Soft Pillar of the Global Gateway Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia.
The exchange tour spanned four days, with impactful workshops and meetings between high-level Central Asian representatives from ministries -and digital connectivity related agencies in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan and Lithuanian counterparts. The first three days set the tone with knowledge sharing workshops, with session topics covering Digital Development in Lithuania; State and Public Services; Safety & the Future; Regulation; and Network Development and Services. The final day culminated with field trips to the Electroconductibility lab (EMC lab), Kaunas Lab and Dovainonys Lab in Lithuania.
The study tour aimed to give Central Asian delegates an opportunity to reflect on policy and regulatory framework achievements in Lithuania; observe the interaction/involvement of the national institutions in the development of digital programs and ecosystem; and take part in presentations on efforts to create a secure, resilient, performant and sustainable digital infrastructure. It also provided a platform to portray the digitalization of public services and transformation of businesses, while touching on topics on artificial intelligence (AI) and the space industry related to digital development.
“The study visit to Lithuania, aimed at exploring the country’s digital ecosystem and its achievements, proved to be an exceptionally valuable program for all participating government officials. The visit offered comprehensive and in-depth insights into Lithuania’s experience in developing a modern digital ecosystem, enabling participants to gain practical knowledge and exchange expertise with one another,” says Mr. Olimjon Azamatovich Djumabaev, Head of Division of Legal Support Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan.
Background: The TEI on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia is one of the Global Gateway flagship projects between the EU and Central Asia. This initiative aims to promote digital connectivity and the development of the digital economy in Central Asia, tackling the connectivity gap in the region by developing a high-capacity internet network and by supporting investment in satellite constellations and the deployment of ground infrastructure. It seeks to mitigate the digital divide and generate positive side effects for the wider economy, in particular for people in remote and marginalized communities.
The initiative is implemented by a consortium of 5 EU cooperation agencies, coordinated by Expertise France (France), together with partners from Estonia, Finland, Latvia and Lithuania. The total project budget is €20 million, with approximately €3.2 million allocated to Lithuania. Lithuanian activities are implemented by CPVA in partnership with the Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania.
