LocationsDigital and AI Readiness Assessment presented in Belarus
November 21, 2024
On 15 November, the partnership session “Digital Development in Belarus: Status Quo and Prospects” took place in Minsk. The event gathered over 120 representatives from the public and private sectors, all of whom are deeply interested in issues surrounding digitalization. During the session, the results of a survey conducted as part of Belarus’ Digital Readiness Assessment (DRA) were presented for the first time. This initiative was a joint effort by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Communications and Informatization (MoCI) of Belarus, and the Belarusian State Institute of Telecommunications (Giprosvyaz).
Digitalization is one of the key areas for Belarus’ socio-economic development, with strong performance in this domain being crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national priorities.
One of the tasks outlined in the State Programme for Digital Development of Belarus for 2021–2025 is the development of e-government—a system of public administration based on the digitalization of managerial processes at the national level.
According to the 2024 UN E-Government Survey, Belarus ranks 77th globally and falls into the category of countries with a high e-government development index. Among the country’s strengths are the provision of online services, telecommunications infrastructure, and human capital.
The Digital Development Strategy of the Republic of Belarus for 2026–2030 will serve as a foundation for creating new regulatory framework, planning digital transformation initiatives, and implementing projects. These include large-scale digitalization of administrative procedures and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data into organizational operations. However, effective delivery of these plans requires a clear understanding of the current level of digitalization in the country.
Anton Alekseev, Director of Giprosvyaz
In 2024, UNDP, in collaboration with MoCI and Giprosvyaz, conducted an assessment of the current state of digital development in Belarus across six key areas: connectivity, governance, regulation, economy, people, and digital public infrastructure. Notably, Belarus became the first country to incorporate an evaluation of AI readiness into its DRA.
"We are concluding a planning cycle and drafting strategic documents for 2026–2030. While we have developed our own set of indicators, we wanted an external evaluation from a reputable organization like UNDP, which assesses countries globally and has extensive experience. The survey aimed to identify the right direction for digital development. This is why the idea for a joint national study emerged."Anton Alekseev, Director of Giprosvyaz
The assessment was conducted using UNDP’s Chief Digital Office methodology, which has been applied in over 50 countries. A large-scale online survey conducted during the DRA received input from approximately 11,000 respondents, including representatives from government bodies, businesses, NGOs, and academia.
The survey results revealed that Belarusians view digital technologies positively and have a favorable perception of digitalization processes at the national level. Approximately 92% of respondents use the internet for their daily needs, while 66% believe that AI can help address socio-economic challenges. However, only 32% of respondents use the internet for interacting with government services, citing insufficient availability of digital services as a limitation.
Valentina Shundalova, UNDP Thematic Coordinator
Valentina Shundalova, UNDP Thematic Coordinator, highlighted the need to address regulatory challenges:
"We need to legally define the term ‘public services,’ improve the interface of existing online portals, and raise public awareness about digital development plans in Belarus."
Ms. Renfei Liu, UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus
Ms. Renfei Liu, UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, emphasized the country’s strengths and the role of partnerships:
"The Digital Readiness Assessment highlights Belarus’ key strengths in digitalization and reveals new opportunities for leveraging its strong technological base, human capital, and partnerships. The inclusive contributions from Belarus’ digital ecosystem have yielded valuable insights and practical recommendations."
The partnership session provided a platform for presenting DRA findings, which will inform the development of Belarus’ Digital Development Strategy for 2026–2030. The event brought together key stakeholders and regulators, laying the foundation for inclusive digital growth—a priority in the upcoming UNDP Country Programme in Belarus for 2026–2030.
Konstantin Shulgan, Minister of Communications and Informatization of Belarus
Collaboration between MoCI and UNDP will continue to evolve, with new areas of cooperation being explored. Konstantin Shulgan, Minister of Communications and Informatization of Belarus, expressed optimism about the partnership:
"Our collaboration with UNDP in supporting digitalization has a long history. It has enabled us to implement many initiatives and achieve tangible results. I am confident that our productive cooperation will lead to new and promising outcomes for both process organizers and the citizens of our country."Konstantin Shulgan, Minister of Communications and Informatization of Belarus
Related
content
content
