Uzbekistan Emerges as CIS Leader in GIGA Initiative Connecting Schools to the Internet

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan continues to successfully implement the international GIGA initiative, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Technologies, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Preschool and School Education.

Launched in 2019 by UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), GIGA aims to connect every school in the world to the internet and ensure equal digital learning opportunities for all students. The initiative currently covers more than 30 countries, creating a global digital education infrastructure.

Uzbekistan has been recognized as a leading participant in GIGA and highlighted as the most effective model in Central Asia.

A systematic approach and close collaboration between government agencies and international organizations have enabled impressive results in a short period. By 2021, 10,098 general education schools across the country were connected to the internet, achieving near-complete national coverage. As a result, Uzbekistan became the first CIS country where all schools are represented in GIGA’s online monitoring system, placing the country among global leaders in project implementation speed.

The initiative includes a unified online monitoring platform covering 10,417 schools, providing real-time tracking of school locations, general information, and the speed and stability of internet connections.

GIGA’s interactive map offers detailed information for each school — coordinates, district, name, student and teacher numbers — serving as a tool for evaluating connectivity, analyzing the situation, and planning further digital infrastructure development.

International cooperation is a key focus: GIGA delegations have visited Uzbekistan, and the country’s participation in ICT WEEK 2025 strengthened bilateral ties and facilitated the global sharing of Uzbekistan’s experience.

Looking ahead, the project is planned to expand to hospitals, clinics, cultural, and community institutions, creating a safe and sustainable internet environment, fostering a unified digital ecosystem, and promoting a broader digital society.

Through these efforts, Uzbekistan solidifies its position as a global leader in digital education and a model for other countries implementing the GIGA initiative.