Regulatory leaders worldwide have reached a consensus on a fresh set of guidelines aimed at ensuring a digital future that is inclusive and sustainable for everyone. These Best Practice Guidelines, officially adopted during the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-23) held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, outline regulatory and economic measures designed to promote the widespread implementation of digital infrastructure accessible to all individuals across the globe.
The event, hosted by Egypt’s National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA), enjoyed the patronage of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of The Arab Republic of Egypt.
“Tech is moving fast and won’t wait for us to catch up,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “The engagement and agreement on regulatory guidelines seen in the Global Symposium for Regulators platform show the way forward, ensuring technology can benefit all people and our planet.”
To promote widespread and significant connectivity, the guidelines prioritize regulatory strategies that address the needs of rural, unserved, and underserved regions, as well as emerging technologies.
“The ICT sector has come to the forefront of the sectors that drive the sustainable development movement,” said H.E. Dr Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Egypt. “The importance of the Global Symposium for Regulators, which Egypt was honored to host this year, comes as a platform for the exchange of expertise and experiences between decision makers, telecommunications regulators, academic specialists, and industry pioneers in developing and developed countries alike.”
Since 2003, the GSR Best Practice Guidelines have served as a comprehensive framework for establishing regulatory principles that foster competition, safety, and inclusivity in the digital landscape.
The 2023 Guidelines build upon this foundation and specifically address the expansion of connectivity by identifying incentives and measures to facilitate access, adoption, and utilization of digital services. These guidelines also strive to introduce groundbreaking and evidence-based cross-sector digital policies and regulatory principles that pave the way for a sustainable digital future accessible to all individuals worldwide.
Informed by valuable contributions from national and regional policymakers, regulators, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector, these guidelines emphasize collaborative approaches to encourage the development of investor-friendly markets. By promoting competition and stimulating innovation, these approaches aim to create a conducive environment for the growth of digital markets.
“The true potential of emerging technologies lies in their ability to uplift and empower underserved communities, creating a more inclusive and equitable future,” said Eng. Hossam El-Gamal, Chair of GSR-23 and Executive President of Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA). “This new set of guidelines will facilitate the transition from disconnected to connected to productive users to ensure meaningful contributions to socio-economic development.”
During the 3-day event, participants discussed the topics facing regulators today while also planning for the future.
“Dialogue among policy-makers, regulators and industry is critical,” said Cosmas Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau. “We each have a role to play in ensuring universal and meaningful connectivity, which, as we already know, has the potential to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The Best Practice Guidelines build on our collective knowledge and shared commitment to provide the tools we need to drive universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.”
Prior to GSR-23, the Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues and Chief Regulatory Officers (IAGDI-CRO) actively involved industry and private sector representatives in constructive dialogues to explore their potential contributions towards successful digital transformation. These discussions culminated in an Outcome Statement, presented by Bocar Ba, Chairman of IAGDI-CRO and CEO of Samena Telecommunications Council, during the closing ceremony of GSR-23. The meeting reinforced the private sector’s dedication to assisting governments, especially regulatory bodies, in navigating the current dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape, with a shared commitment to achieving common objectives in both the short and long term.
Furthermore, on June 5th, the Digital Regulation Network initiative was introduced during the Regional Regulatory Associations Meeting. This initiative provides a distinct platform for Regulatory Associations to exchange experiences, knowledge, and engage in discussions for potential collaborations. Its primary objective is to expedite the process of sustainable digital transformation by enhancing global and regional cooperation. The initiative aims to identify shared approaches to collaborative digital policies, regulations, and governance across different economic sectors and geographical boundaries. The work of the initiative will be centered around three key areas: thought leadership, capacity development, and regulatory experimentation and innovation.
During GSR-23, new Collaborative Digital Regulation Country Reviews were released for Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, and Kenya. These reports, which are part of an ongoing series initiated at the Global Symposium for Regulators in 2021, offer an authoritative assessment of the regulatory environment in each respective country. They provide valuable insights and practical guidance towards achieving G5 regulation and facilitating digital transformation in these nations.
The Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau recently entered into several partnerships, which include:
- A Joint Declaration signed between the European Mediterranean Regulators Group, the Eastern Partnership Electronic Communications Regulators Network, and the International Telecommunication Union. This declaration aims to enhance collaboration in the mapping of broadband infrastructure and services.
- A Memorandum of Understanding established between the International Telecommunication Union and the European Mediterranean Regulators Group (EMERG). This memorandum sets the framework for high-level cooperation in the field of electronic communications.
- The initiation of a project focused on developing and implementing e-waste policy and regulations to promote a circular economy.
On June 7th, the ITU Development Sector (ITU-D) organized a roundtable discussion under the Network of Women (NoW). This platform offered female delegates a valuable opportunity to share their perspectives and insights on the development of gender-mainstreamed policies. Additionally, an exhibit was arranged where ITU demonstrated its contributions and involvement in enabling digital transformation.
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