Countries
Taiwan
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates has nearly universal connectivity, with approximately 99% of the population online as of 2024. It ranks 1st in the world for mobile internet speed and 4th for fixed broadband in October 2025, reflecting extensive fibre and 5G deployment. In the 2024 UN E-Government Survey, it is 11th worldwide in the overall E-Government Development Index and scores the maximum value in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index.
In broader digital performance, the UAE placed 12th globally in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2023, and 11th in several 2024 summaries, indicating strong capabilities in digital technology adoption and readiness. It also tops Oxford Insights’ Government AI Readiness Index 2024, and performs well in GovTech and digital government service-delivery benchmarks.
At the city level, Abu Dhabi is ranked 5th in the world in the 2025 IMD Smart City Index, and the country is among those with the highest reported AI use (about 59% of the population using AI tools, in Microsoft’s 2025 diffusion report). Combined with its role as a regional data centre and submarine cable hub, this positions the UAE as one of the leading digital economies in the Arab region.
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Saint Lucia
Digital Snapshot – Key Policies and Laws
Saint Lucia’s digital governance is anchored in telecom regulation and regional coordination. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC), established under the Telecommunications Act, oversees telecommunications and broadcasting regulation and universal access, while Saint Lucia also aligns with OECS/Eastern Caribbean approaches through programmes such as CARDTP.
In cybersecurity and trust, the legal base includes cybercrime and digital transaction rules, but the ‘strategy layer’ is still developing. An ITU country profile notes gaps in formalised national cybersecurity programming, including capacity-building and standardisation efforts, while CARDTP is advancing a national government data centre and a government cyber incident response team (CIRT) as concrete institutional steps.
On privacy, the Data Protection Act exists and has been partially brought into force, and e-commerce is supported by the Electronic Transactions Act, which includes consumer protection provisions and intermediary/ISP liability provisions.
On connectivity policy, the country has both a published broadband plan and an active update cycle. The National Broadband Policy and Plan 2013–2018 sets out priorities and actions for rollout, and a newer broadband policy implementation plan is currently under consultation in the context of digital transformation and ‘meaningful connectivity,’ with resilience treated as a design concern. Saint Lucia’s public-sector digital capacity is reflected in the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) dataset, where the telecommunications infrastructure sub-index is reported alongside the overall EGDI score.
Digitally, Saint Lucia’s infrastructure stack combines international links, domestic access, and local interconnection. TeleGeography lists Castries as a landing point for the Eastern Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS), and Saint Lucia is also on the Southern Caribbean Fiber (SCF) regional system, including an express branch connecting Barbados–St Lucia–St Croix. To reduce latency and keep local traffic local, the government launched the SLiX Internet Exchange Point, framed as a way to reduce dependence on expensive international routing for domestic traffic.
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On cloud and ’emerging tech,’ Saint Lucia’s public signals are strongest in government modernisation and financial regulation rather than glossy national strategies. The Government has a live process to develop a Cloud Infrastructure Policy and a Business Continuity Plan that explicitly leverages cloud for the continuity of critical services, and it is also building baseline skills through the public-sector AI training workshops tied to CARDTP.
In fintech governance, Saint Lucia has moved early in the region by operationalising a licensing framework for virtual-asset activity: the FSRA publicly states that it is the authority for supervision and regulation under the Virtual Asset Business Act (2022). Finally, core internet identifiers are formally anchored in global governance: IANA’s delegation record documents the administration of the .lc country-code domain.
Saint Lucia’s permanent mission to the UN:
Saint Lucia’s Permanent Mission to the UN Office and other international organisations in Geneva represents the country across the Geneva-based multilateral system, engaging in diplomacy and negotiations on issues handled in Geneva (notably human rights and other UN and international organisation agendas hosted at UNOG). The UNOG Blue Book listing provides the mission’s official contact and location details, and identifies its leadership, including the Permanent Representative.
Official UN website: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/blue-book/missions/member-states/saint-lucia
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Syria
Digital snapshot – key policies and laws
In early 2025, the country had about 9.01 million internet users, 35.8% internet penetration, and 19.5 million mobile connections, while Internet Society Pulse rated its overall internet resilience at 31/100 and e-government readiness at 38.88.
Reports indicate that Syria is speeding up digital transformation across public institutions as part of wider administrative reform, with ministries since 2025 expanding electronic platforms and digital systems to reduce paper-based procedures, improve efficiency, and strengthen transparency in public services. The updated national digital transformation strategy runs to 2030 in three phases: a foundational stage focused on infrastructure and legislation, a transition phase (2025–2027) introducing interactive services, and a final phase (2027–2030) aimed at full integration and data-driven governance. The country is now in the second phase, focused on rolling out interactive services; progress cited includes the National Data Center, government cloud services, digital signatures, a state data-integration platform, the “Wajab” complaints platform, e-procurement systems, and broader digitisation across ministries such as health, education, justice, and interior. In addition, there is a national cloud computing policy adopted in December 2022, a cybersecurity strategy adopted in June 2023, and Law No. 12 of 2024 on electronic personal data protection, with executive instructions issued in July 2024.
Infrastructure and market policy are now moving faster than before. Syria has launched Barq Net, a nationwide FTTP initiative covering all 14 governorates, and announced its first practical 5G pilot in May 2025. Syrian Telecommunications Company signed on to the Medusa submarine cable project in Tartous, while presenting SilkLink as the backbone of a rebuilt national fibre network. In parallel, the state-backed SEEP Online e-commerce platform has new partnerships with Visa and Mastercard.
Emerging technologies remain at an early stage. Syria has discussed AI governance in regional forums and presented AI as a tool to improve government performance, but there is no standalone national AI strategy or AI law.
Related news on dig.watch
Syria’s permanent mission to the UN in Geneva:
Syria’s Permanent Mission in Geneva represents the Syrian Arab Republic at the UN Office at Geneva and at other international organisations based in Switzerland. According to UN Geneva’s official Blue Book, the mission is located at the International Centre Cointrin (ICC), Route de Pré-Bois 20, Geneva, and the current Permanent Representative is H.E. Mr Haydar Ali Ahmad, who presented his credentials in February 2023. The mission is Syria’s main diplomatic channel in Geneva for multilateral engagement on issues such as human rights, humanitarian affairs, disarmament, health, labour, and other UN processes.
Official UNOG website: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/blue-book/missions/member-states/syrian-arab-republic
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Azerbaijan
Digital snapshot – key policies and laws
In the UN E-Government Development Index 2024, Azerbaijan ranked 74th of 193 and entered the ‘Very High EGDI’ group, while its e-participation ranking improved to 88th. The connectivity was estimated at 9.23 million internet users (on a population of approximately 10.2 million) in early 2025, and ITU-linked material confirms the Online Azerbaijan project extended high-speed broadband infrastructure to all of the country’s roughly 3 million households.
Azerbaijan’s digital policy stack comprises strategies such as the AI Strategy 2025–2028, the Information Security and Cybersecurity Strategy 2023–2027, and the Digital Economy Development Strategy 2026–2029. The AI strategy focuses on AI infrastructure, data governance, skills, public-sector use, and future ethical/legal regulation.
Relating to digital infrastructure, the state-owned AzInTelecom is expanding government cloud capacity. In 2024, EIB (European Investment Bank) Global signed a €43 million loan to finance two new data centres for public digital services, described as the EIB’s first public-sector loan to Azerbaijan. Internationally, the Digital Silk Way and Trans-Caspian fibre-optic cable project aim to connect Azerbaijan with Kazakhstan and wider Central Asia, positioning the country as a possible Europe–Asia data corridor.
The country’s legal and market environment is closely linked to Azerbaijan’s Law on Personal Data, which dates from 2010, and its 2024 amendments, which regulate the processing, protection, and cross-border transfer of personal data, and to the Law on Electronic Commerce, which has governed online trade since 2005. E-commerce is growing alongside cashless payments and cross-border shopping, making data protection, consumer safeguards, cybersecurity, and enforcement important reform areas.
Related news on dig.watch
- Azerbaijan explores regulatory framework for AI and intellectual property
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- Intellectual property laws in Azerbaijan adapts to AI challenges
Azerbaijan’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva:
Azerbaijan’s Permanent Mission in Geneva represents the country at the UN Office at Geneva and other Geneva-based international organisations. The UN Geneva Blue Book lists the mission at 237 Route des Fayards, 1290 Versoix, with H.E. Mr Galib Israfilov as Permanent Representative.
Official UNOG website: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/blue-book/missions/member-states/azerbaijan
EMBASSY AND PERMANENT MISSION TO THE UN – GENEVA
Twitter/X profile: https://x.com/azmissiongeneva?lang=en
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Consult Azerbaijan’s digital strategies and regulations
Here you can explore the country’s main digital strategies, laws, and regulations by simply asking the chatbot, which is designed to help you quickly find relevant documents and understand the country’s digital policy landscape.
Main digital policies and regulations in the country:
- Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2029
- Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025–2028
- Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Information Security and Cybersecurity for 2023–2027
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Algeria
Digital snapshot – key policies and laws
Connectivity remains the strongest practical layer of Algeria’s digital transformation. ARPCE’s Q2 2025 internet observatory counted 59.10 million internet subscriptions, with 88.71% mobile and 11.29% fixed-line, confirming a large mobile-first market. At the same time, fixed broadband is catching up: Algérie Télécom reported 2.9 million FTTH subscribers in December 2025, while ARPCE’s 5G licence award process gave Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo the basis for next-generation mobile deployment.
Cybersecurity has become a formal national-security pillar. In March 2026, the Information Systems Security Agency under the Ministry of National Defence released the first National Information Systems Security Strategy 2025–2029, framed around digital sovereignty, continuity of essential services and trust in the state’s digital environment.
Algeria’s data and trust framework is anchored in Law No. 18-07 on personal data protection, strengthened by Law No. 25-11 of 24 July 2025, which added more modern governance, risk and accountability requirements. E-commerce is regulated through Law No. 18-05 of 10 May 2018, while digital trust services rely on the legal framework for electronic signature and certification.
AI, cloud and emerging technologies are being folded into the same sovereignty agenda. The National AI Strategy was examined by the government in May 2026 alongside digital-service reforms, while Algeria is investing in domestic data-centre and AI-computing capacity, including an advanced data centre and AI computing centre in Oran.
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- 5G expansion strengthens digital connectivity across Algeria
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- Algeria resumes annual internet shutdown to curb exam cheating
Algeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva:
The Permanent Mission of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the UN Office at Geneva and other international organisations in Switzerland represents Algeria in Geneva-based multilateral diplomacy. Based in Bellevue, Geneva, the mission engages with the UN system and specialised international organisations on issues including human rights, humanitarian affairs, disarmament, development, health, labour, migration and international cooperation.
Official UNOG website: https://www.ungeneva.org/en/blue-book/missions/member-states/algeria
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Twitter/X profile: https://x.com/AlgeriaUNOG
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Consult Algeria’s digital strategies and regulations
Here you can explore the country’s main digital strategies, laws, and regulations by simply asking the chatbot, which is designed to help you quickly find relevant documents and understand the country’s digital policy landscape.
Main digital policies and regulations in the country:
- National Strategy for Digital Transformation in Algeria – Digital Algeria 2030 / Stratégie nationale de transformation numérique – Pour une Algérie numérique 2030
- Strategy of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications
- National Information Systems Security Strategy 2025–2029
- National Artificial Intelligence Strategy
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Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda’s connectivity is anchored by multiple submarine cable links and a maturing local interconnection layer. International bandwidth lands at St John’s via the Eastern Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS), with additional regional capacity from Digicel’s Deep Blue One/Southern Caribbean Fiber—together giving diverse north–south routes across the Lesser Antilles. A new CELIA system has been announced, with Antigua participating and target service by 2027, which would further strengthen resilience and price diversity.
Domestically, Antigua and Barbuda is moving traffic closer to home: an Antigua and Barbuda Internet Exchange (ABIX) was registered as AS401034 in April 2024, indicating a local peering fabric designed to keep on-island traffic local and reduce latency. On the services side, the country shares in a regional milestone, the ECCB’s DCash retail CBDC pilot (March 2021–12 January 2024), which, although concluded, marked a notable first for a currency union and informs ongoing ‘DCash 2.0’ work.
The legal framework for online activity is comparatively comprehensive for a small market: the Electronic Transactions Act (2013, amended 2016) gives legal effect to e-signatures and e-records, while the Data Protection Act (2013) establishes privacy principles and oversight; telecoms policy is framed by the Cap. 423 and its 2018 amendment (e.g. groundwork for number portability). Combined with subsea diversity and the emerging IXP, these instruments place Antigua and Barbuda near the regional frontier on a few practical enablers: redundant international paths, local peering in progress, and a functioning e-transactions/privacy rulebook suited to expanding digital services.
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Bahrain
Bahrain’s digital profile is built on very strong connectivity. The national portal notes that Bahrain achieved nationwide 5G services as one of the first countries in the world, with 5G download speeds above 2 Gbps and more than 95% fibre rollout across the Kingdom by 2023. The telecom regulator describes Bahrain as ‘one of the most advanced communications markets globally,’ with nationwide 5G and widespread fibre broadband, and has recently approved wholesale changes that allow fibre speeds to more than double at no extra retail cost.
Cloud adoption is another area where Bahrain stands out. In 2019, AWS opened its first Middle East Region in Bahrain, putting the country in a strong position to capitalise on cloud computing. Government sources report that around 85% of government data has been migrated to AWS, a level of public-sector cloud usage that is unusually high by global standards and credited with improving resilience and efficiency. These moves are anchored in a Cloud First policy and a comprehensive National Digital Economy Strategy that positions Bahrain as a connected, innovation-driven digital hub.
On the innovation side, Bahrain’s startup ecosystem punches above its weight in the region. Startup Genome and local ecosystem reports estimate a value of around USD 1.2 billion in the ecosystem (2021–2023) and ~40% annual growth, with Bahrain ranked among the top 10 MENA ecosystems on several performance and cost-effectiveness metrics. These analyses highlight fintech, cybersecurity and AI/big data as key strengths, underpinned by strong connectivity, cloud infrastructure and supportive regulation, positioning Bahrain as a competitive regional hub for digital entrepreneurship.
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Australia
Digital Snapshot – Key Policies and Laws
A leading multistakeholder in digital policymaking, Australia is actively engaged across cybersecurity, AI, online safety, data protection and other digital fields. Australia’s Data and Digital Government Strategy (with annual implementation plan updates, including the 2025 Implementation Plan) sets the Australian Government’s roadmap for modernising public services, while the mandated Digital Experience Policy has been in effect since 1 January 2025. In addition, the country’s auIGF serves as a platform for national dialogue on Internet governance (see below for more about auIGF).
AI governance is tightening on two fronts: within government and across platforms. From 15 December 2025, the Australian Government’s updated Policy for the responsible use of AI in government strengthened requirements around agency strategy, accountability and risk-based controls, aiming to prevent poorly governed AI from becoming embedded in public administration.
Such an advanced digital geostrategy expands digital identity and digital service delivery, tightening platform accountability for online harms, and establishing a more transparent framework for ‘safe and responsible’ AI, particularly where automated systems directly interact with citizens. The government’s late-2025 National AI Plan frames this as competitiveness and productivity plus safeguards, while the under-16 social media crackdown shows how quickly the agenda moves from policy to day-to-day enforcement.
Australia’s under-16 social media ban
Still regarding platform accountability and child safety online, in the long-running dispute with X over an eSafety transparency notice on child sexual exploitation and abuse material, Australia’s Full Federal Court rejected X Corp’s appeal, an episode demonstrating that global platforms still face domestic disclosure obligations. Separately, eSafety issued Telegram an infringement notice of AU$957,780 for delaying its response to a transparency reporting notice by over five months, turning ‘platform accountability’ into measurable deadlines and penalties.
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A concrete, highly operational example of digital governance is Australia’s national Digital ID framework, established under the Digital ID Act 2024, which is now functioning as national infrastructure rather than a niche login tool. A one-year report from the finance portfolio stated that the system had reached 15 million myIDs and 80 million verified transactions through the Australian Government Digital ID System (AGDIS), with the government explicitly signalling the next step: preparing the system to welcome accredited providers and broaden ecosystem participation.
In the broader digital economy, Australia shows high uptake of cashless/mobile payment behaviours: the Reserve Bank of Australia reports that, for Australian-issued cards, about 39% of debit and 33% of credit/charge transactions were made using mobile wallets. Cyber policy is organised around the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, which frames national priorities through six ‘cyber shields’.
In the UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index (EGDI), Australia is listed with an EGDI value of 0.9577 and ranked 8 (out of 193). Domestically, the mandated Digital Experience Policy sets whole-of-government benchmarks for consistent service quality, and its Digital Transformation Agency has highlighted Australia’s placement in the top 5 of the OECD Digital Government Index.
The auIGF
The Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) is Australia’s national, multistakeholder internet-governance forum (modelled on the global IGF) that brings together government, industry, civil society, academia and the technical community to discuss digital policy priorities and produce practical outputs. Its most recent full forum, auIGF 2025, ran as a hybrid event in Adelaide and online on 23–24 September 2025, drawing over 200 participants, and it adopted, by consensus, a 2025 Position Paper on a shared ‘social contract’ for digital well-being, alongside agreed-upon messages for international coordination.
Australia’s permanent mission to the UN:
The Australian Government’s ‘Australia in Switzerland, Bern and Geneva’ site hosts the Australian Permanent Mission to the Office of the UN and Conference on Disarmament (Geneva) and information related to Australia’s Geneva-based representation (including WTO coverage). Australia’s Permanent Representative in Geneva is Ms Clare Walsh, appointed as Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
Official website: https://geneva.mission.gov.au/
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