Azerbaijan has made significant progress in the development of e-government and has solidified its position among the world's leading countries according to the United Nations "E-Government Development Index (EGDI)." In the report, Azerbaijan advanced 9 places compared to 2022, ranking 74th among 193 countries this year. For the first time, Azerbaijan entered the "Very High EGDI" group, considered the highest category in the index.

Gunay Guliyeva, Head of the Economic analysis division at the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, explained that the EGDI is a composite index that measures the development of countries in telecommunication infrastructure, human capital, and online services. The 2024 study also highlights the role artificial intelligence (AI) and digital government can play in helping Azerbaijan achieve its sustainable development goals.

According to Guliyeva, the report, which evaluates the development of e-government and digital public services globally, highlights countries like Azerbaijan, Brunei Darussalam, and Uzbekistan for their significant progress in e-government infrastructure. It notes that Azerbaijan has very high scores in both the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII) and the overall EGDI, further strengthening the country's leadership in digital transformation.

The study also emphasizes that Azerbaijan is actively developing a national strategy for artificial intelligence (AI), which aims to create smart cities and an advanced technological infrastructure. This strategy will contribute to the further improvement of public services and city management.

As a landlocked developing country (LLDC), Azerbaijan's progress in this field is particularly noteworthy. Azerbaijan, along with other countries, increased the representation of LLDCs in the "Very High EGDI" group from 3% in 2022 to 19% in 2024. This progress is attributed to large-scale reforms and strategic steps in digitization. The working groups established within the Commission on Business Environment and International Ratings have played a crucial role in managing this process, making significant contributions to improving the digital government, digital business environment, and increasing international rankings. As a result, Azerbaijan continues to strengthen its position in international digital development rankings and leads in digital innovation.

The report also offers recommendations for further improving online services, developing human capital, and accelerating digital growth through the introduction of AI and other new technologies.

Gunay Guliyeva added that the UN study emphasizes the recognition of digital transformation as the main driving force behind economic growth, sustainable development, and improved public services. This aligns with Azerbaijan's strategy to further solidify its position as a regional leader in digital governance and innovation.