The Samarkand Declaration on Tech Diplomacy

A Global Movement for Digital Governance

A Historic Moment for Global Cooperation

The Tech Diplomacy Institute launches the world’s first global movement for tech diplomacy—the Samarkand Declaration, pioneered by Central Asian nations on November 1, 2025, beginning a worldwide journey to bring every nation into digital governance by 2030.

In the historic city of Samarkand—where the Silk Road once connected civilizations—we gather to forge a new path: a digital road to our shared future, where every nation has a voice in shaping the technologies that transform our world.

“From the Silk Road of the past, we forge a digital road to the future.”

Why This Matters?

Technology governance today is fragmented, exclusive, and inadequate for our interconnected digital age.

170+

Countries lack dedicated tech diplomatic capacity

140+

Conflicting data protection laws create regulatory chaos

$2.8T

Annual cost of regulatory fragmentation

What Is the Samarkand Declaration?

The Samarkand Declaration is a voluntary, non-binding commitment that establishes universal principles for tech diplomacy. It invites all nations—regardless of political system, economic development, or digital infrastructure—to build diplomatic capacity for technology governance.

This is not a treaty that binds nations with legal obligations. It is a shared commitment that empowers them—providing a neutral platform for coordination, capacity building, and inclusive participation in shaping global digital policy.

Established in collaboration with UNESCO, the Declaration creates a pathway for nations to appoint Tech Ambassadors, integrate technology into foreign policy, and participate in multilateral cooperation on AI governance, cybersecurity, data protection, and emerging technologies.

Core Principles

Signatories of the Samarkand Declaration embrace four foundational principles:

Principle 1:

Institutional Commitment to Tech Diplomacy

Encourage nations to appoint Tech Ambassadors or equivalent senior representatives
Support integration of tech diplomacy into national foreign policy systems
Invite participation in the international community convened by TDI

Principle 2:

Encourage contribution of national perspectives to global technology standards

Express support for upholding digital rights and inclusion
Foster efforts to bridge digital divides within and across nations
Promote environmentally responsible technology development

Principle 3:

Multilateral Coordination

Participate in the annual Global Tech Diplomacy Forum
Encourage engagement in regional and thematic convenings
Support bilateral and multilateral cooperation on technology issues

Principle 4:

Universal Access and Participation

Open for signature by all Nation States at any time
Invite Supporting Partners from private sector, civil society, and academia
Voluntary commitments with flexible implementation based on national circumstances

Join The Movement

Whether you represent a nation, organization, or institution, we invite you to be part of this historic commitment to inclusive, ethical technology governance.

Sign the Declaration