Mr Ilyas Ahmed is the Chief Executive of the Communications Authority of Maldives. He has been heavily involved in the activities to restructure and develop the country’s telecommunication sector. Mr. Ahmed has over 25 years of experience in the field of communications. With his extensive knowledge of ICT, he has worked in many development initiatives of the country, including the formulation of the “National Broadband Policy 2014-2018”. More recently in 2021, he played a pivotal role in the initiative by the government to lower the prices, and increase quality of broadband services. Currently he is working with the relevant institutions in the country in utilizing the comprehensive telecom infrastructure prevailing in the country for the digitalization of services.Mr. Ahmed has held many senior positions at the Asia-Pacific Tele community (APT) including the Chairman of the Management Committee. Currently is the President of the APT.

T.H. Carlson D. Apis currently serves as the Secretary for the FSM Department of Transportation, Communications, and Infrastructure, a ministerial-level position he has held since December 2019. Prior to this, he had an extensive diplomatic career, serving as the FSM's Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary to China from December 2015 to December 2019. During this time, he was also cross-accredited as Ambassador to Mongolia, Vietnam, Thailand, and South Korea.His career in foreign affairs began in July 1996, and he held various roles within the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs and at the FSM Embassy in Beijing, including Assistant Secretary, Minister, and Deputy Chief of Mission. Mr. Apis holds a Master of Arts in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University in Australia and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a double major in Political Science and International Studies from Gonzaga University in the United States. A significant accomplishment includes establishing the FSM Embassy in Beijing, China, on April 28, 2007.

Ms Umitzhan Arykbekova serves as the Deputy Chair of the Committee for Information Security under the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan. With over 15 years of experience in the ICT sector, she has been actively involved in key e-government projects, including developing electronic document management systems, state email services, and implementing digital signatures. Her primary responsibilities are strengthening the ntional cybersecurity framework and enhancing personal data protection mechanisms. She is committed to sustainable digital development with her team by advancing digital infrastructure, ensuring data security, and promoting trustworthy digital solutions. These efforts are essential to accelerating digital transformation in Kazakhstan and other emerging economies.

Mr Daniiar Bakchiev serves as the Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic. In this capacity, He oversees bilateral and multilateral partnerships and coordinates international projects. He also leads strategic dialogues with key global stakeholders. His responsibilities include aligning national priorities with international development agendas, especially in digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable development. He notes that the objectives of this event align closely with his department's work in advancing cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange, and digital policy harmonization. He looks forward to sharing their experiences and exploring collaborative opportunities to drive inclusive digital growth in the region.

Ms Nazgul Bazhayeva has contributed to a variety of important and impactful projects, including Smart cities, the development of e-government, the creation of the state corporation "Government for Citizens", as well as the implementation of the state program "Digital Kazakhstan", development of the national project "Technological breakthrough through digitalization, science and innovation", development of the concept of digital transformation, development of the information and communication technologies and cybersecurity industry, as well as the development of KPIs for digital deputy ministers of state bodies. She was a member of the Board of Directors of Zerde National Infocommunication Holding JSC and was a Digital Ambassador in San Francisco, USA.

Hon. Shadlog Armait Bernicke is a veteran politician with 18 consecutive years of parliamentary service, and has represented the Buada constituency in the Parliament of Nauru since 2007. With a proven track record of public service, he currently holds several ministerial portfolios under President David Adeang’s administration, contributing to national development across media, telecommunications, phosphate industry, and infrastructure sectors.

Mr Tim Berry is Director of ICT in the Office of the Prime Minister, Cook Islands, where he leads national efforts in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and whole-of-government ICT policy. With a background spanning the Pacific and experience across industries such as telecommunications and education, Tim’s work supports resilient and inclusive digital transformation. His current priorities—capacity building, digital public infrastructure, and regional collaboration

Mr Mohammad Chowdhury leads Long Street Advisors. He tries to understand how connected technologies such as 5G, IoT, cyber, AI, fibre, data centres and satellites impact Society, Economy, Government and Nation. He has worked in 80+ countries, advising governments, telcos, tech companies and investors, including as chief advisor in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Myanmar, and has advised on major programmes in Australia and the Pacific. Mohammad previously worked at PwC, IBM and Vodafone.  

Mr Steve Martin Erehiru serves as the Director of ICT Services for the Solomon Islands Government at the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, leading national efforts in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and ICT infrastructure modernization. His role focuses on driving strategic ICT initiatives that enhance public service delivery and strengthen digital resilience across government systems.A key part of his leadership involves advancing the Government’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) agenda. He is leading national initiatives to establish a secure digital identity system, develop interoperable data exchange platforms, and promote digital payment ecosystems to enable inclusive and efficient government-to-citizen services. These efforts are designed to ensure that government services are accessible, scalable, and sustainable—particularly in underserved and remote communities. Through these initiatives, he continues to position the Solomon Islands as a digitally empowered nation and a credible partner in regional digital cooperation, with support from development partners such as the World Bank, ADB, and UNDP.

Mr Bernard Francis Tiko Fong has dedicated two decades to the IT sector, specializing in systems and infrastructure. He has had the privilege of contributing to numerous reforms and digital transformations throughout his career. Most recently, he played a technical role in the three-year National Payments System project for Fiji, led by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF). His contributions to this project primarily focused on infrastructure and cybersecurity design, procurement, and implementation. Currently, he serves as the Manager responsible for providing technological support to internal and external stakeholders for the National Payments System and other client infrastructures and systems.

Mr. Saad Hamid is a digital evangelist dedicated to empowering communities and building ecosystems through ideas, knowledge, skills, and technology and serves as the Google Regional Lead for Developer Community Programs. In this pivotal role, he fosters developer ecosystems by engaging with and supporting developer communities across a specific region. He enables these communities to grow, learn, and innovate with Google technologies. His work encompasses the strategic planning and execution of programs designed to empower developers, foster collaboration, and contribute to the broader technological landscape. Mr. Hamid is instrumental in connecting Google's resources and initiatives with local developer talent, thereby driving technological adoption and skill development within the community.

Mr Geoffrey Harris is an ICT professional and public servant with over two decades of experience in information and communications technology across both government and private sectors in Nauru. Currently serving as the Secretary for ICT in the Nauru Government since 2019, he oversees national technology strategy, cybersecurity strategy, procurement, and policy development. He has previously held senior leadership roles including Secretary for Communications and Media and Director of ICT. With a background in IT and Technical consultancy, Geoffrey has also delivered solutions for the banking, retail, and electoral sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Information Technology from Queensland University of Technology Brisbane, Queensland and an Associate Diploma in Electronic Engineering from Gordon Technical College in Geelong, Victoria.

Mr Bernard Matthew Hill, Chair of the Competition and Regulatory Authority Cook Islands is a New Zealander, and former barrister and solicitor with extensive private and public sector experience in competition law and policy, as well as complex commercial transactions. As Chair of the Cook Islands CRA, He is in his fourth role as senior economic and technical regulator, having served as Telecommunications Commissioner of Solomon Islands; Head of Competition Affairs in Hong Kong, and as Director and Office solicitor in the former New Zealand Department of Trade & Industry. He is the author of two publications on New Zealand’s competition and fair-trading laws and has contributed to a number of international anti-trust publications.

Mr Ilkin Firgat Huseynov currently leads the Strategic Development & Economic Analysis Department at the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan. His team designs evidence-based policies that accelerate nationwide digitalization, quantify the economic impact of ICT-related projects, and turnresearch into actionable reforms. He works closely with industry, government agencies, and development partners to craft data-driven solutions-from open-data portals and digital government solutions to national digital-strategy roadmaps that raise productivity and connectivity. Previously, he led the Research Division at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan and served as a senior analyst at New Zealand's Ministry of Education. He holds a PhD in Economics from Victoria University of Wellington and an MSc in Quantitative Economics from Sorbonne University.

Ms Ayaulym Ilyassova is an Adviser to the Chairman at the National Company “Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary,” where she supports strategic initiatives in satellite technologies and geospatial data. She provides expert support in the implementation of space-based digital solutions under “Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary,” contributing to innovations in digital governance, satellite monitoring, and the integration of geospatial technologies into public service delivery. Her experience in digital transformation and geospatial systems helps shape Kazakhstan’s innovation ecosystem.

Mr Orkhan Ismayilov is the Head of the Department for Strategic Partnerships and International Cooperation at the Innovation and Digital Development Agency, under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and is actively involved in fostering global cooperation in digital government and innovation. His objectives at the forum also include engaging in discussions about potentially transferring Azerbaijan's digital government solutions to developing Asian countries. Furthermore, He aims to explore opportunities for technical assistance and grants with ADS, and to assess investment prospects within the field of digital governance.

Ms Sun Ji, the Deputy Director-General of the Information and Communication Development Department at China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), possesses extensive experience in the dynamic ICT sector. Her expertise spans crucial areas including policymaking, strategic planning, and the comprehensive development of information and communication technologies. Furthermore, she is deeply involved in promoting cutting-edge technology research and development within the industry. Her role at MIIT places her at the forefront of shaping China's digital landscape and fostering innovation in the information and communication field.

Mr Asfand Yar Khan is an accomplished executive with over two decades of diverse expertise across Government, the Private Sector, and International and National Development Organizations. He has a proven track record of successfully driving strategic initiatives and managing strategic programs and projects with capital costs exceeding $30 million. He is skilled in navigating complex regulatory landscapes, fostering innovation, and achieving sustainable growth. His proficiencies include people management, communication, business planning, proposal writing, forging partnerships, and driving organizational growth by securing multi-million dollar funding and revenue. Mr. Khan has demonstrated leadership and C-level experience, with a keen ability to inspire and motivate teams towards achieving organizational objectives. Beyond his extensive professional experience, he holds multiple Master's Degrees, including Business Administration (MBA), Management Science, Telecom & Networking, and Computer Science. He is also a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP®) from the Project Management Institute (PMI) USA.

Mr Chankrisna Kith is the Head of the Digital Transformation Committee of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction. He spearheads the integration of innovative technologies into the ministry's core functions, ensuring alignment with national development goals. He is also involved with policy development related to the digital initiatives to modernize land management, urban planning, and construction processes to ensure fast reliable and convenient public services to the citizens.

Ms Bernadette Lewis was appointed as the first female Secretary General in the120-year history of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO). Prior to this appointment she was the first female Secretary General of the Caribbean TelecommunicationsUnion. Ms. Lewis has a wealth of experience in information and communication technologies (ICT)having worked in leadership positions in public and private sector, national and internationalICT organisations, when significant technological changes were transforming the industry.Ms Lewis is passionate about ensuring that the citizens of the Commonwealth and beyondhave affordable access to and are able to benefit from effective use of ICT.

Mrs Mary Manea is from a small island in the South Pacific called Cook Islands. She is currently the ICT Manager for the Ministry of Health in the Cook Islands and have been in the role for almost a year. She has been working in the ICT/IT field for over 6 years. She studied at the Unitec Institute Technology in New Zealand and gained her bachelor's in Computing Systems. As the ICT Manager for the Ministry of Health in the Cook Islands, she supervises the implementation and management of technology systems that enhance healthcare services, improve data management, and support digital transformation, ensuring alignment with national health goals and best practices and most importantly the security around the data and network.

Hon. Timothy Mark Masiu is the Minister for Information and Communications Technology of Papua New Guinea. Part of his role is to lead the national agenda for digital transformation, including the development and implementation of policies on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, data governance, and emerging technologies. His ministry is committed to building a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital future for Papua New Guinea.

H.E. Nim has assumed the role of Under Secretary of State in charge of Information Technology and Digital Transformation at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport since September 2023. Prior to this role, he had worked as an Advisor to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications for 3 years. Before joining the public sector in 2020, H.E. Nim had served in different roles, ranging from software engineers to enterprise solution architect to development manager, for Fortune 500 Companies in North America. H.E. Nim comes from a very technical background and has years of experience in designing and implementing solutions for enterprise system integration.

Mr Alex Oprunenco is the UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Innovation Advisor, leading Regional innovation and Digital team. He brings 15 years of development experience in areas of system transformation, public sector innovation, economic policy development, and digitalization in Asia and Europe. His most recent focus was in supporting adoption of the system change approaches in the development and public sectors to support circular economy and green transition at the city level, institutionalize innovation through policy labs, and digital transformation in the government. In his past roles, Alex pioneered work around portfolio design, government innovation labs, behavioral insights, alternative data approaches and innovation in public service delivery.

Mr Sangay Pelzang serves as the Deputy Chief ICT Officer within the Division of Telecom & Space (DoTS) at the Government Technology (GovTech) Agency of Bhutan. GovTech was established in December 2022 as an autonomous body following the Royal Government of Bhutan's civil service reforms. Its mandate is to spearhead digital transformation, improve operational efficiency, and address the evolving technological needs of Bhutanese citizens. In his role, Mr. Pelzang is actively involved in advancing national GIS & Remote Sensing (RS) initiatives, specifically by exploring how ICT integration can transform RS practices within the country.

Mr Munkhbat Perenlei serves as the Director General of the Innovation Policy Coordination Department at the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications in Mongolia, with expertise in AI, big daata, and startup ecosystem development. He drives policies to fodter digital transformation and innovation. Part of his responsibilities include promoting data-driven technologies, and development entrepreneurial ecosystems. The forums digital fundamentals resonates with his work in leveraging AI and big data for national development. His leadership in innovation policy positions to contribute to discussions on inclusive digital transformatio, geospatial technologies and cybersecurity.

Mr Azat Pudakov is currently leading the modernization of the digital economy within the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, a key initiative in the nation's broader digital transformation. His work focuses on enhancing the digital infrastructure and capabilities of the Ministry to align with Turkmenistan's burgeoning digital economy.A significant aspect of his role involves the comprehensive development of electronic services. He is dedicated to expanding the scope and improving the quality of digital services offered by the Ministry of Finance and Economy. This includes a strategic effort to fully digitalize existing services and introduce new ones, ultimately aiming to provide seamless, efficient, and accessible digital interactions for all stakeholders. His contributions are pivotal in transitioning the Ministry's operations towards a more advanced, paperless, and digitally-driven model, thereby supporting the nationwide push for a robust digital economy.

Hon Mauʻu Siaosi Puʻepuʻemai serves as the Minister for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Samoa. In this significant role, he is responsible for guiding the nation's strategic direction in telecommunications, digital infrastructure, and information technology. His leadership is crucial in advancing Samoa's digital agenda, enhancing connectivity, and ensuring the development of robust and accessible communication services for the country.

Mr. Altan-Od Pushaa is the State Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Communications of Mongolia since 2024. He previosuly held the management positions at the Miniistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (2014-2016) and the Financial Regulatory Commission (2012-2014) of Mongolia. He holds a Law degree from the National University of Mongolia, and MBA from Hallym University in South Korea, and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Economics and Business in Mongolia

Mr Mengthong Song is the Technology and Innovation Department Manager at Techo Startup Center, where he oversees the Digital Product Office and the Technology and Innovation Office. He leads the technical management, operation, and cybersecurity of Cambodia’s digital enabler infrastructure - CamDX and CamDigiKey - which support secure data exchange and service interoperability. With an Engineer’s degree in Computer Science and a strong background in cybersecurity, Mengthong brings both strategic and technical leadership to Cambodia’s ongoing digital transformation.

Mr Keneshbek Usenov is the Assistant to the Minister of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic. In this role, he supports the Minister in advancing national digital transformation efforts, which include policy coordination, stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of strategic initiatives. He collaborates closely with public institutions and international partners to promote transparent governance, digital innovation, and inclusive digital services. The objectives of this event, which aim to foster collaboration, share best practices and strengthen digital governance, directly align with his ministry's commitment to building a more open, efficient, and citizen-centric digital ecosystem in Kyrgyzstan. He looks forward to exchanging experiences and exploring opportunities for joint action.

Mr Shridhir Sariputta Hansa "Dr Hans" Wijayasuriya currently serves as the Chief Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka on Digital Economy and Chairman of the Information & Communication Technology Agency (ICTA). In January 2025, he accepted the President's invitation to spearhead Sri Lanka's Digital Transformation, stepping down from his position as CEO – Telecommunications Business and Group Executive Director at Axiata Group.His three-decade career in telecommunications includes over 25 years in CEO-level positions. He was deeply honored to receive the GSMA Chairman’s Award in 2024 and the Asian Mobile Industry Award in 2017. At Axiata, he led telecommunications operations across five Asian markets and served as a Group Executive Director, additionally founding Axiata Digital Services and Axiata Digital Labs. He has also chaired the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and served on several national technology boards, including the founding boards of ICTA and SLINTEC.

Mr Suresh Yadav is the Senior Director for Climate Change and Ocean Directorate at the Commonwealth Secretariat. He previously served as Acting Senior Director for Trade, Ocean, and Natural Resources, and was Secretary of the Commonwealth AI Consortium, promoting AI development and capacity building across member countries. Earlier, he represented India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka on the World Bank Group Board. As a member of India’s Internal Revenue Service, he served as Officer on Special Duty to the President of India and Director to the Finance Minister. He led India’s negotiations on Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) and was a global expert in transfer pricing audits of multinational enterprises. Mr Yadav is also the author of a book on foreign direct investment (FDI). He is passionate about leveraging AI and transformative technologies for development and advocates for platform-based approaches to attract finance for small states.

Mr Nerses Yeritsyan is the Director of the Information Systems Agency of Armenia (ISAA) and the Secretary of Armenia’s Information Systems Management Board (ISMB). In this role, Mr. Yeritsyan oversees the creation of a Digital Society and Economy in Armenia, an ambitious initiative to drive inclusive growth, enhance citizen-centric services, and empower all Armenians to continuously improve their lives and well-being.He was the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Armenia. Since joining the Central Bank in 1993, Mr. Yeritsyan has occupied a wide range of roles, from heading the Monetary Policy Department to founding the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and serving as a Member of the Board. Across all leadership roles, Mr. Yeritsyan has helped advance the Central Bank’s impact and led the implementation of innovative analytical, organizational, and policymaking capabilities.

Ms. Kuenga Zam is currently leading the Department of Digital Transformation at GovTech Bhutan. With a strong focus on driving national digital initiatives, she oversees the implementation of digital transformation across the entire government. Her Department’s responsibilities include developing and maintaining digital services, fostering innovation through emerging technologies, and supporting the growth of the local tech industry. The department is dedicated to enhancing government efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement through strategic digital solutions.