According to the country’s general state policy on digital development, implementing new information and communication technologies in the cultural sector is a key priority of Azerbaijan’s national cultural policy. The Socio-Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026 (No.3378 of July 22, 2022) outlines tasks for digitalising Azerbaijani culture through “e-culture.” In this regard, by Decision No. 3/2 of the Collegium of the Ministry of Culture dated October 13, 2023, the Ministry of Culture’s “e-Culture” Digital Development Strategy (2024-2026) was adopted, and 100+ measures were planned to be implemented by 2026 under 10 priorities, such as Application of new technologies and technological innovations in the field of culture; Strengthening and ensuring the relevance of ICT infrastructure; Improving the regulatory and legal framework for the digitisation of culture; Electronification and integration of services in the field of culture; Formation of a data-based digital management model, its implementation and creation of forecasting opportunities through analytical tools; Improvement of information resources (systems, resources and registers), formation, integration and ensuring the relevance of new resources; Development of relevant modules for each cluster of the cultural sector and implementation of a unified administration policy for various modules; Migration to the “Government Cloud” (“G-Cloud”); Cybersecurity, licensing and personal data protection in the field of culture; and Formation of digital culture, specialisation of personnel potential.
Within the framework of the “e-Culture” strategy, recently:
- The Ministry of Culture’s “e-Culture” unified personal cabinet was formed, and all relevant resources were integrated into the cabinet,
- Integration into information systems across the country (“Digital Login”, “Digital Document Circulation”, “Normative legal acts”, etc.) was implemented,
- The relevant information systems of the Ministry of Culture, where personal data is collected and processed, were included in the “State Register of Information Systems of Personal Data”;
- The relevant information systems and resources of the Ministry of Culture were fully migrated to the “Government Cloud” infrastructure;
- For the first time in the history of the Ministry of Culture, “Admission of students to art schools and centres”, “Additional admission of students to priority specialities”, “Admission of teachers”, “Additional admission of teachers to vacant positions” and “Admission of directors and deputy directors” were carried out electronically through relevant information systems;
- 50,000+ “e-Applications” were received, processed and responded to under 10 “e-Application” modules;
- A new official Internet information resource of the Ministry of Culture, “culture.gov.az”, was formed, necessary audits were conducted together with relevant agencies, and its placement in the Information Resource Centre for State Institutions under the control of the Special Communication and Information State Service was ensured;
- For the first time in the history of the Ministry of Culture, a digital analytical analysis was conducted on five processes and data-based decision-making was ensured;
- Digitalization of internal management processes in 6 directions was initiated.
As a continuation of the activities carried out within the framework of the “e-Culture” strategy, the Formation of a Unified Cultural Register, which includes many sub-registers; Expansion of activities on the formation of information resources, electronification of services and applications; Increasing integration into information systems across the country; Expansion of the functionality of the “MyCulture” unified personal cabinet “v2.0”; Diversification of the digitalisation of internal management processes, etc. is planned to be implemented, and the necessary activities have already been initiated in the mentioned directions.
The Digital Development Concept in the Republic of Azerbaijan (No.287 of January 16, 2025) aims to enhance public administration, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for citizens by adopting digital technologies.
The Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025–2028 (dated March 19, 2025) involves the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Academy, improving information technologies and their management mechanisms for artificial intelligence, ensuring the accessibility of its infrastructure, strengthening the potential of qualified personnel, etc.
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