ITU GSR-24: Digital Regulators Adopt Strategies to Harness Tech Benefits

Heads of national telecom/ICT regulatory authorities from around the world gathered at the recently concluded Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) in Kampala, Uganda —endorsed guidelines to maximize the benefits of transformative information and communication technologies (ICTs).

The “GSR-24 Best Practice Guidelines​” agreed upon by the regulators include a series of considerations for balancing innovation with regulation to create a positive impact on societies and economies from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).

Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau said after hearing from young innovators and entrepreneurs, they adopted the action-oriented Best Practice Guidelines to help them chart the course of transformative technologies for positive impact.

“The best practice guidelines highlight the innovation, trust, and inclusivity that we need in the policy and regulatory environment,” said ITU Secretary-General, Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “With change being the only certainty facing regulators and policymakers, we must work together to pursue regulatory approaches to leverage transformative technologies such as AI, promote the space economy, encourage innovation, and support climate action and the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” she added.

Adding to Bogdan-Martin’s remarks, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, Uganda’s Minister for ICT and National Guidance, remarked that the Best Practice Guidelines call for a coordinated and collaborative approach inclusive of all relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired impact. He added, “We commit to align our national policies and regulatory frameworks around the well-thought-out Best Practice Guidelines that will encourage investment, innovation, and growth in the ICT sector.”

Regulators at GSR-24 noted that equal, global access to existing digital services would help countries leverage transformative technologies. Artificial Intelligence (AI), for example, could help network operators conduct better planning and prevent fraud. However, the revolutionary technology raises challenges associated with privacy, bias, job displacement, and the reliability of information.

Dr. Zavazava also noted that the global regulators community will strengthen their capacity to navigate the fast-changing technology landscape and drive sustainable and inclusive digital transformation.

In his remarks, George William Nyombi Thembo, the Chair of GSR-24 and Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) said, “As we navigate the transformative landscape of digital technologies, the importance of impactful regulation cannot be overstated.” He adds “Our shared learnings and collaborative efforts are crucial in shaping a regulatory environment that not only fosters innovation but also ensures that the benefits of technological advancements are widely shared.”

Thembo said by recognizing the interdependencies with other sectors, they can create a cohesive framework that supports sustainable development, economic growth, and inclusivity. “Together, we have the power to turn technology into a force for positive change, illuminating pathways to a brighter, more connected future.”

Other announcements that were made at the GSR-24:

• Africa-BB-Maps, Africa’s National Broadband Mapping Systems project, supported by the European Commission, will help establish broadband mapping systems to foster investment and digital transformation in Africa. With a budget of EUR 15 million (approx. UGX60 billion) over four years, the project will initially benefit 11 countries: Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• The Digital Skills Forum, a flagship event to discuss the most pressing needs that must be addressed to ensure universal digital skills, will take place in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, from 17 to 19 September 2024 organized by the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau and hosted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Kingdom of Bahrain. ​
• The Communications, Space, and Technology Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced that the country will host the Global Symposium for Regulators in 2025.

Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the UN Agency for Digital Technologies, the GSR-24 brought together over 600 participants including Ministers, Heads of Regulatory Authorities, industry executives, and academics worldwide to discuss pressing regulatory issues.

“We are excited that the GSR provides a platform where all thought leaders, regulators, industry players, and other key ICT stakeholders converge to dialogue and set the policy and regulatory agenda that will guide the global digital industry over the near future,” said Hon. Baryomunsi.

The GSR-24 was officially opened by H.E. Jessica Alupo, Vice-President of the Republic of Uganda, on behalf of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda.

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