Ecuador’s digital landscape is marked by steady growth, regional leadership in ethics-driven innovation, and ongoing efforts to close structural gaps in connectivity and capacity. The country has made significant strides in expanding its digital infrastructure, with major investments in submarine cable systems such as the Mistral, PCCS, and the upcoming CSN-1, enhancing international bandwidth and regional integration. Domestically, initiatives under the National Broadband Plan aim to improve fixed and mobile access, especially in underserved rural areas, while the presence of IXPs and data centers continues to strengthen Ecuador’s internet resilience. Despite logistical and postal delivery challenges, the e-commerce sector has grown rapidly, projected to reach nearly US $3.9 billion by 2025, with a strong mobile-first consumer base and increasing diversification of product categories.
On the regulatory front, Ecuador has demonstrated leadership in digital governance. The 2021 Organic Law on the Protection of Personal Data (LOPDP) established a GDPR-inspired framework for data privacy, giving individuals clear rights and imposing strong compliance obligations on organisations. Although enforcement mechanisms and the Data Protection Authority are still being operationalised, international collaboration with entities like the Council of Europe and UNESCO is helping to shape implementation and alignment with global standards.
Ecuador’s position in the Latin American AI landscape is especially notable for its ethics-first approach. It was the first country in the region to adopt a public-sector AI Code of Ethics and among the first to pilot UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology. While actual AI adoption remains low across most businesses—primarily limited to basic marketing tasks—national efforts are focusing on capacity-building, talent development, and safe AI ecosystem design, supported by academic institutions and international organisations.
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El Salvador’s digital transformation is framed by its Digital Agenda 2020–2030, which prioritises digital identity, state modernisation, governance, and innovation. Complementary assessments such as the Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment (DECA) and the World Bank’s DE4LAC have outlined infrastructure gaps, regulatory shortcomings, and low digital literacy, but also identified strong opportunities in e-government integration and financial inclusion. Recent laws on cybersecurity and data protection created the State Cybersecurity Agency (ACE), tasked with overseeing standards, managing risks, and enforcing regulations, though concerns persist about broad state powers over digital content and civil liberties.
Connectivity is a central priority. Approximately 77% of Salvadorans are online, with mobile coverage reaching 93% of the territory and 92% of the population having access to at least 3G. Fixed broadband has improved significantly, recording one of the fastest growth rates in the region with median speeds exceeding 70 Mbps. Government initiatives such as ‘Connecting El Salvador‘, supported by international financing, are extending free public Wi-Fi to parks, schools, and community spaces. At the same time, Starlink’s deployment since 2023 has expanded access to high-speed, low-latency satellite internet.
Strategically, the country is moving forward with its first submarine cable project, a milestone that will link El Salvador directly to Panama and regional backbones, enhancing international bandwidth and reducing reliance on neighbouring countries’ infrastructure. Supported by the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and aligned with EU Global Gateway priorities, this investment places El Salvador on a path toward greater digital sovereignty.
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Internet governance in Saudi Arabia involves a structured approach to regulating digital activities, promoting infrastructure growth, and aligning with international standards. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission play crucial roles in overseeing policies, maintaining regulations, and advancing digital transformation in line with the government program Vision 2030. The country is also recognised for its advancements in digital government services, currently ranking 6th on the UN’s E-Government Development Index (EGDI). This ranking reflects the ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness and reach of government digital services.
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Micronesia’s (FSM) strongest digital asset is its diversified international connectivity for a small island economy. By 2019–2025, each of the four states gained a fiber route: Pohnpei via HANTRU-1; Chuuk via the Chuuk–Pohnpei inter-island cable (RFS 27 April 2019); Yap via a spur into SEA-US; and Kosrae through the East Micronesia Cable (EMC), which made its final landing on 16 August 2025. The diversified, multi-path setup spreads risk and increases bandwidth compared with many peers that still rely on single paths. FSM also commissioned a Starlink community gateway in Kosrae (21 February 2025) to add resilience while EMC comes online.
In terms of governance and market structure, FSM stands out regionally for its early liberalisation and an open-access wholesale model. The 2014 Telecom Act created an independent Telecommunication Regulation Authority (TRA) and enabled the FSM Telecommunications Cable Corporation (CableCorp) to operate subsea and wholesale fiber as a neutral wholesale-only provider, a framework choice that many Pacific economies have moved toward more gradually. These reforms are documented in the Act and program materials for new entrants.
FSM also controls a globally recognisable ccTLD, “.fm”, managed by the state operator (FSMTC). While not a mass-adoption metric, the namespace is unusually visible worldwide because of its association with audio brands and podcasts, giving the country an outsized digital “footprint” relative to population.
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Cambodia’s digital profile couples redundant international connectivity with a mature domestic exchange. Two submarine cables, MCT (RFS 2017) and AAE-1 (operational since 2017), land at Sihanoukville, complemented by terrestrial cross-border fibre to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam; domestic traffic is kept local through the Cambodian Network Exchange (CNX), operating since 2008 and peering across multiple Phnom Penh data centres.
Where Cambodia stands out regionally is real-time retail payments: the central bank’s Bakong/KHQR network underpins wide domestic use and multi-country QR interoperability (live corridors with Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, plus links with UPI/Alipay and South Korea). In 2024, Bakong processed transactions equivalent to roughly 330% of the country’s GDP, underscoring the depth of usage for a lower-middle-income economy.
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Japan’s digital governance is anchored in a relatively strong public-sector digital baseline: it ranks 13th of 193 in the UN E-Government Development Index and 2nd in the E-Participation Index, suggesting comparatively mature online public services and citizen-facing digital channels. A central instrument is the Cabinet-approved Priority Plan for the Advancement of a Digital Society, which sets cross-government implementation priorities under Japan’s digital-society framework.
On the economic side, Japan’s e-commerce market is large and regularly measured: METI estimates B2C e-commerce at ¥26.1 trillion and B2B e-commerce at ¥514.4 trillion, with an estimated C2C market of ~¥2.53 trillion. Platform governance is partly handled through a designated ‘co-regulation’ approach under the Act on Improving Transparency and Fairness of Specified Digital Platforms (in force since 2021), requiring disclosures and self-assessment for designated large platforms.
Cybersecurity and emerging tech governance combine national strategy with a newer ‘proactive’ posture and business guidance: Japan’s official Cybersecurity Strategy emphasises a whole-of-nation approach and public–private collaboration, while reporting in 2025 described an Active Cyberdefence Law that expanded the government’s operational posture.
Japan goes from ‘passive’ to ‘Active Cyber Defence Law‘
In 2025, Japan switched to ’active’ cyber defence, moving from passive security to proactive threat neutralisation. Anchored in the new Active Cyber Defence Law and coordinated through the National Cybersecurity Office, this strategy reflects a decisive break from Japan’s traditionally restrained posture. Escalating cyberattack campaigns and state-backed espionage drive it, and it includes measures such as hardening critical infrastructure, expanding real-time intelligence sharing between government and industry, and cultivating international alliances. At the same time, Japan is tackling severe workforce shortages by investing in specialised training programs and cyber talent pipelines, recognising that skilled human capital is as vital as technology in sustaining resilience.
For connectivity and critical infrastructure, MIC has published the Digital Infrastructure Development Plan 2030, which explicitly groups fibre, 5G, data centres, and submarine cables and sets targets, such as raising 5G population coverage from 98.1% (FY2023) to 99% by FY2030. Subsea connectivity is a strategic dependency for Japan as a regional hub, and the Submarine Cable Map is a standard reference for systems and landing stations.
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Data protection is centred on the Act on the Protection of Personal Information and is supervised by the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC), which publishes the consolidated APPI text and related legal instruments. In parallel, Japan’s data policy direction is guided by the National Data Strategy, hosted by the Digital Agency, which references the Comprehensive Data Strategy (June 2021).
Cloud adoption in government is structured around the Digital Agency’s Government Cloud initiative and the ISMAP assurance scheme for cloud procurement, and AI governance is increasingly formalised through the AI Act, effective Sept 2025, plus AI Guidelines for Business.
The IGF 2023 in Kyoto
The Government of Japan hosted the 18th annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Kyoto from 8 to 12 October under the overarching theme, ‘The Internet We Want – Empowering All People’. The programme was developed under the following sub-themes: Sustainability and environment; AI and emerging technologies; Avoiding internet fragmentation; Cybersecurity, cybercrime and online safety; Data governance and trust; Digital divides and inclusion; Global digital governance and cooperation; Human rights and freedoms.
Japan’s permanent mission to the UN:
The Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva represents Japan’s positions across roughly 30 Geneva-based international organisations, including UN bodies and other institutions. It serves as Japan’s platform for multilateral diplomacy in Geneva, covering portfolios such as human rights, humanitarian affairs, trade-related issues, and other thematic work conducted in that ecosystem.
Internet penetration in Eritrea remains low, with approximately 20.0% of the population, or about 714,000 individuals, using the internet as of January 2025. This figure reflects a slight increase from the previous year, indicating slow but steady growth in internet adoption. The country’s connectivity is primarily reliant on satellite links and limited terrestrial connections through neighbouring countries, as Eritrea lacks a submarine cable landing station. This dependence results in higher latency, lower bandwidth, and increased costs, hindering the country’s digital development and access to reliable internet services.
Eritrea’s digital infrastructure is underdeveloped, with minimal investment in expanding network coverage. The state-owned telecommunications company, EriTel, is the sole provider of internet services, which may limit competition and innovation. Access to SIM cards and internet services often requires government approval, creating barriers for widespread adoption. Despite these challenges, there are ongoing efforts to improve digital infrastructure. The African Development Bank Group has signed an agreement with Eritrea for a $19.5 million grant to fund the Desert to Power Eritrea 12MW Mini Grid Project, aiming to enhance energy access, which is crucial for powering digital technologies.
Eritrea currently lacks a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy and a dedicated cybersecurity authority. However, the country is a participant in the Horn of Africa Digital Governance and Cybersecurity Initiative, which aims to enhance cybersecurity policies and awareness across member states. Despite the absence of formal structures, Eritrea has taken some steps to address cybersecurity concerns. In May 2024, the Eritrean government reported thwarting a significant cyberattack targeting its internet infrastructure during Independence Day celebrations.
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Guatemala’s digital profile reflects gradual progress, shaped by a mix of infrastructure expansion, policy initiatives, and private sector involvement. The country is connected to major international networks through submarine cables such as AMX-1 and Mistral, with the new AMX3/Tikal system expected to significantly boost capacity and resilience. The establishment of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP.GT) has improved speed and reduced costs by keeping domestic traffic local. These developments position Guatemala as a key connectivity hub in Central America, giving it regional strength in submarine cable access and redundancy compared to some neighbouring states.
Policy frameworks are advancing, though unevenly. The Digital Government Plan 2021–2026 and recent education-focused digital transformation policies integrate artificial intelligence and digital literacy into national development. At the same time, the government has moved toward simplification of administrative processes, open government commitments, and pilot AI initiatives in education and environmental monitoring. However, Guatemala remains without a dedicated data protection law and its 2018 National Cybersecurity Strategy has seen slow implementation, leaving critical gaps despite ongoing legislative efforts such as Initiative 6347 on cybersecurity.
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Mexico has developed a solid digital governance framework, though with institutional shifts in recent years. Internet access is recognised as a constitutional right, and policies such as the National Digital Strategy (2021–2024) and the creation of the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (2024) set the direction for digital inclusion, e-government, and regulatory reform. While Mexico does not yet have a standalone cybersecurity or AI law, multiple legislative proposals are under discussion, and oversight functions for data protection have recently been restructured. These changes reflect a rapidly evolving governance landscape with ongoing debates over independence, transparency, and regulatory balance.
In terms of infrastructure, Mexico ranks strongly in Latin America, with more than half of fixed broadband lines delivered via fibre-optic connections and a national wholesale 4G network (“Red Compartida”) designed to expand coverage. International connectivity is supported by several major submarine cable systems such as AMX-1 and MAYA-1, with new projects like MANTA and Tikal extensions strengthening redundancy and capacity. These assets, together with a growing data centre sector and high mobile penetration, place Mexico among the region’s leaders in cross-border digital connectivity and backbone capacity.
Economically, Mexico is one of the largest e-commerce markets in Latin America, valued at nearly US$40–47 billion in 2024, with forecasts of rapid growth over the next decade. The country is also emerging as a key AI hub: it hosts hundreds of startups, major foreign investments in cloud and AI infrastructure, and plans for a national large language model.
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