ICT minister stresses citizen-centric digital transformation, governance reform
Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, ICT Division and Science and Technology Faqir Mahbub Anam today emphasized that digital transformation cannot be measured merely by the number of technologies deployed, but based on accessibility, swiftness, transparency and citizen-centric, he added.
The minister said this while participating in a cross-examination dialogue titled "Challenging Conventional Approaches to Governance Innovation and Anticipatory Governance" during the 8th session of the "UN Governance Innovation Summit: Advancing Future-Ready Institutions" held in Baku, Azerbaijan today, said a press release.
Mahbub Anam said technology alone cannot transform public administration. Digital connectivity provides the foundation and institutional preparedness translates that connectivity into tangible public welfare.
Before adopting new technologies, governments must first understand the core problem, streamline administrative processes to eliminate redundant steps, clearly define institutional roles, and ensure inter-agency coordination, he said.
The minister outlined three critical pillars for successful governance innovation: capable institutions with clear accountability and interoperable data systems; skilled human resources equipped with modern technical competencies and a forward-looking mindset; and public trust grounded in robust data governance, cyber security, privacy protection, and efficient grievance redressal frameworks.
Technology should not force citizens to adapt to administrative systems; rather, government systems must dynamically adapt to the needs of citizens, he asserted.
He highlighted that technology itself can help pinpoint systemic bottlenecks to accelerate structural reforms. The government is actively integrating AI and automation to build a more transparent, efficient and answerable administration aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he said.
The minister said the government is moving away from the conventional approach of merely digitizing paper-based procedures to fundamentally redesigning entire service-delivery mechanisms around citizen requirements, thereby streamlining bureaucracy and building a more responsive government.
