Islamabad, February 15, 2026 (Khyber Mail): The Pakistan Digital Authority and the United Nations University signed a Memorandum of Understanding during Indus AI Week in Islamabad to accelerate Project GovAI, a digital micro-learning and upskilling program aimed at strengthening artificial intelligence capabilities among civil and public servants.
Under the agreement, coordinated by UNU-EGOV, experts from multiple institutes within the United Nations University system including UNU-IAS in Tokyo, UNU-MERIT in Maastricht and the UNU Institute in Macao will collaborate on designing and testing scalable learning models for government institutions. Officials said the initiative seeks to help train more than one million Pakistani civil servants by 2028 as part of Pakistan’s wider digital transformation agenda.
The MoU outlines a time-bound discovery and pilot phase that will assess curriculum design, learning platforms and localization needs through micro-trainings, webinars and e-learning modules. The phase is expected to generate an evidence-based decision framework and sustainability model for potential expansion at national and international levels.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said artificial intelligence is a national priority and that the program will help modernize public services, reduce bureaucracy and improve access for citizens. Vice Chairperson of the authority Mohammad J Sear said the initiative would strengthen the civil service’s practical AI skills and governance capacity required for implementation of the country’s digital master plan.
Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University, said responsible public sector AI adoption is essential for advancing sustainable development goals and global digital cooperation. Delfina Soares, Director of UNU-EGOV, emphasized that effective digital transformation depends on institutional capacity, governance and trust alongside technological innovation.
Officials indicated that GovAI could eventually evolve into a reusable digital public good, including modular learning pathways and governance playbooks adaptable for other countries seeking responsible AI adoption in government.
Indus AI Week, where the agreement was signed, is a government-led national platform aimed at aligning policy, innovation and talent development in artificial intelligence, with activities taking place nationwide from 9 to 15 February 2026.