Directorate for Construction of City of New Tashkent held meeting with prominent international and local organizations. Discussion topics: city’s construction, integration of digital technologies, use of artificial intelligence, international cooperation opportunities. Participants: GK Urbantech, Mars Technologies, VisionLabs, INFOCOM OVERSEAS / Informtechttrans, International Bank for Economic Cooperation (IBEC), RIAS ЖКХ, Trade Representation Russian Federation, Federal Center for Applied AI Development, ANO Global IT Cooperation Center. Focus: intelligent governance systems, AI-driven automation of traffic and public services, digital identification technologies, environmentally friendly transport infrastructure. Russian companies presented smart city solutions, engineering innovations, AI-powered services. International banking institutions shared views on financing, investment opportunities. New Tashkent envisioned as major ecosystem for science, technology, innovation.

Ecuador formally approved as buildingSMART ‘Chapter-in-formation’ (October 2024), 36th chapter globally and 2nd in South America. Established under BIM Forum entity. Primary goal: advance openBIM initiatives in Ecuador, addressing growing demand for open standards.

Coordinated multisectoral framework guiding digital transformation across public and private sectors. Objectives: expand technological infrastructure, promote digital culture/skills, encourage emerging technologies adoption, improve interoperability/data exchange, strengthen cybersecurity/data protection, bridge digital divide. 7 strategic axes with 93 lines of action: (1) digital infrastructure, (2) digital government, (3) interoperability and data management, (4) digital security and trust, (5) digital culture and inclusion, (6) digital economy, (7) emerging technologies for sustainable development. MINTEL acts as main coordinating body

Open data platform launched 2025 for public works transparency using OC4IDS (Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard). Updated weekly with interactive visualizations, maps, filters, downloads and statistics. 2025 data: $806 million awarded in public works, 45% through tendering procedure, average 27 bidders in minor procedures. Multi-Stakeholder Group includes Ministry of Transport and Public Works, SERCOP, Quito Honesto, engineering associations, civil society organizations. Platform available at: https://costecuador.org/list-projects

Ministry of Telecommunications (MINTEL) published Digital Transformation Agenda 2025-2030 April 8, 2025: reduce digital divide, strengthen public sector digitalization, foster digital culture. Seven pillars: digital infrastructure, culture/digital inclusion, digital economy, emerging technologies for sustainable development, digital government, interoperability/data processing, digital security/trust. CNT (National Corporation of Telecommunications) signed 5-year Alliance Framework Agreement with Google Cloud January 2025 ($300M+ commitment, Google’s first AFA in South America). Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE dominate digital/telecommunications infrastructure. Mobile broadband reaches 20% rural/isolated areas, 70%+ large population centers. MINTEL seeks connectivity infrastructure investment especially rural areas. MINTEL Agreement 141 (2011): customers must contract cloud services outside Ecuador through CNT as local partner. AI draft legislation under debate in National Assembly. New international players: Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, Starlink, Oracle. Mistral submarine cable partnership with America Movil and Telxius. Galapagos subsea cable and Carnival Submarine Network planned

Ministry of Construction developing smart city concept and creating digital twins of largest settlements since 2022. Nukus and Tashkent first to be digitized. Digital twins allow collection, modeling, visualization, analysis and forecasting for effective decision-making in construction and housing services. BIM technologies (Building Information Modeling) identified as key trend allowing efficient planning, design, construction and operation through 3D modeling and comprehensive analysis. Volume of construction works end 2022: 6.7% GDP.

International collaboration through Erasmus program for digital reconstruction of Vinohrady Synagogue in Prague (demolished 1951). Combined expertise from Viennese synagogue reconstructions (TU Vienna) with resource organization methodology (KU Leuven). Reconstruction using BIM software illustrates added value of BIM approach for complex geometry, integrating with 2D documents, visualizing reconstruction assumptions in 3D model.

Application Guide for CSN EN ISO 19650 written and published by Czech National Standards body (ČAS – Czech Agency for Standardization). Set of technical standards CSN EN ISO 19650 intended for all persons and organizations involved in whole life cycle of construction. Czech technical standards historically written directly as guide. Guide explains how ISO 19650 should be applied to projects.

Bolivian national adoption of ISO 19650-1 on organization and digitization of information for buildings and civil engineering works using BIM. Part 1: Concepts and principles. Published by IBNORCA.