igital diplomacy has two primary meanings. First, it is a tool for achieving diplomatic and political goals through digital platforms. Second, it involves promoting digital skills and capabilities, as well as digital platforms, to contribute to the broader digitalization of countries and entire regions. Thus, digital transformation becomes the new form of soft power. A historical example of this is Qatar’s agricultural assistance to famine–stricken African countries decades ago, which significantly improved its relations with those nations.
Digital diplomacy in Central Asia
In Central Asia, digital diplomacy offers a unique opportunity to build relationships by helping these countries develop digital skills. These skills will enable Central Asian countries to access new markets and bring prosperity to their people, creating an equal–opportunity society. The West has a crucial role in assisting Central Asia to develop the necessary infrastructure and technological solutions to improve civil services. Training local specialists and involving them in the development of these solutions will soon attract foreign direct investments into the tech sector in Central Asian countries, and the solutions developed by specialists from Central Asia will be applicable in the West as well.
Geopolitical landscape in Central Asia
Countries like China and Russia have a significant influence on Central Asia due to their proximity, but the digital economy knows no boundaries. This gives the West an opportunity to be competitive in this region by offering better economic benefits. Russia’s technological influence has diminished due to sanctions, while China focuses on supplying ready–made solutions without fostering local knowledge. In contrast, Western countries can train local talent, promoting sustainable technological growth and creating a knowledge economy.
Western vs. Chinese technological presence
The difference between Western and Chinese technological presences lies in their approach. Western companies train local talent to develop products independently, fostering a knowledge economy, while Chinese companies focus on promoting their products without sharing knowledge. Education is crucial for creating equal opportunities, as seen in strategies like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Central Asia aims to become a global digital leader by partnering with technology firms that share knowledge. Companies from the U.S., EU, Japan, and South Korea recognize the region's intellectual potential and find training and hiring local talent profitable. This cooperation benefits Central Asia by developing local expertise without exporting specialists.
Successful examples of digital collaboration
Central Asia actively cooperates with international financial institutions and global development agencies to become self–reliant. Two of the most successful projects are the USAID–funded Future Growth Initiative for Central Asia and the Business Support Project for Uzbekistan, which develops workforce and attracts investments into the local IT industry. Another impressive project implemented in the region is the World Bank’s Digital CASA (Central Asia South Asia), which aims to create jobs to scale up IT exports from the region.
One of the first tangible achievements of these efforts is Uzbekistani startup Uzum becoming a “unicorn” without leaving the country. Additionally, dozens of Central Asian startups are attracting major interest from international investors. Another impressive result achieved—thanks to the vast presence of U.S. IT engineering companies working together with key local stakeholders—is the exponential growth of IT exports from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
Consequences of digital diplomacy or civil society
Digital transformation in Central Asia is creating equal economic opportunities and fostering a broad middle class. The digital economy and IT industry are shifting society from a post–Soviet model, where the government was expected to meet all needs, to one where citizens are more self–reliant. The young, rapidly growing population no longer expects the state to bear all social obligations, as was customary in Soviet times. Instead, expanding knowledge and the digital economy are reducing the burden on the state, encouraging citizens to take on more responsibility and transforming society into a more meaningful and responsible one.
The impact of Western digital diplomacy in Central Asia is profound. It is radically changing social foundations and transforming the region into societies with equal opportunities and competitive economies integrated into the global supply chain.
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A blueprint for Central Asia’s growth through digital diplomacy
Sunrise at Oskemen, Kazakhstan. Photo by Duman Shaker on Unsplash.
July 26, 2024
In Central Asia, digital diplomacy offers a unique opportunity to build relationships by helping these countries develop digital skills, enabling access to new markets and prosperity. The West has a crucial role to play, writes Anatoly Motkin.
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igital diplomacy has two primary meanings. First, it is a tool for achieving diplomatic and political goals through digital platforms. Second, it involves promoting digital skills and capabilities, as well as digital platforms, to contribute to the broader digitalization of countries and entire regions. Thus, digital transformation becomes the new form of soft power. A historical example of this is Qatar’s agricultural assistance to famine–stricken African countries decades ago, which significantly improved its relations with those nations.
Digital diplomacy in Central Asia
In Central Asia, digital diplomacy offers a unique opportunity to build relationships by helping these countries develop digital skills. These skills will enable Central Asian countries to access new markets and bring prosperity to their people, creating an equal–opportunity society. The West has a crucial role in assisting Central Asia to develop the necessary infrastructure and technological solutions to improve civil services. Training local specialists and involving them in the development of these solutions will soon attract foreign direct investments into the tech sector in Central Asian countries, and the solutions developed by specialists from Central Asia will be applicable in the West as well.
Geopolitical landscape in Central Asia
Countries like China and Russia have a significant influence on Central Asia due to their proximity, but the digital economy knows no boundaries. This gives the West an opportunity to be competitive in this region by offering better economic benefits. Russia’s technological influence has diminished due to sanctions, while China focuses on supplying ready–made solutions without fostering local knowledge. In contrast, Western countries can train local talent, promoting sustainable technological growth and creating a knowledge economy.
Western vs. Chinese technological presence
The difference between Western and Chinese technological presences lies in their approach. Western companies train local talent to develop products independently, fostering a knowledge economy, while Chinese companies focus on promoting their products without sharing knowledge. Education is crucial for creating equal opportunities, as seen in strategies like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Central Asia aims to become a global digital leader by partnering with technology firms that share knowledge. Companies from the U.S., EU, Japan, and South Korea recognize the region's intellectual potential and find training and hiring local talent profitable. This cooperation benefits Central Asia by developing local expertise without exporting specialists.
Successful examples of digital collaboration
Central Asia actively cooperates with international financial institutions and global development agencies to become self–reliant. Two of the most successful projects are the USAID–funded Future Growth Initiative for Central Asia and the Business Support Project for Uzbekistan, which develops workforce and attracts investments into the local IT industry. Another impressive project implemented in the region is the World Bank’s Digital CASA (Central Asia South Asia), which aims to create jobs to scale up IT exports from the region.
One of the first tangible achievements of these efforts is Uzbekistani startup Uzum becoming a “unicorn” without leaving the country. Additionally, dozens of Central Asian startups are attracting major interest from international investors. Another impressive result achieved—thanks to the vast presence of U.S. IT engineering companies working together with key local stakeholders—is the exponential growth of IT exports from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
Consequences of digital diplomacy or civil society
Digital transformation in Central Asia is creating equal economic opportunities and fostering a broad middle class. The digital economy and IT industry are shifting society from a post–Soviet model, where the government was expected to meet all needs, to one where citizens are more self–reliant. The young, rapidly growing population no longer expects the state to bear all social obligations, as was customary in Soviet times. Instead, expanding knowledge and the digital economy are reducing the burden on the state, encouraging citizens to take on more responsibility and transforming society into a more meaningful and responsible one.
The impact of Western digital diplomacy in Central Asia is profound. It is radically changing social foundations and transforming the region into societies with equal opportunities and competitive economies integrated into the global supply chain.
