The Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-24) came to a close today with regulators endorsing a set of guidelines aimed at maximizing the benefits of transformative information and communication technologies (ICTs).
The guidelines, developed during the symposium, focus on harnessing the potential of ICTs to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and bridge the digital divide. Regulators from around the world gathered in Kampala to share best practices and discuss innovative approaches to regulation.
The “GSR-24 Best Practice Guidelines" agreed by ICT
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).
“With one-third of humanity
still offline and women and other vulnerable groups on the wrong side of the
globe's digital divides, GSR-24 and 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."
Organized by the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the UN Agency for Digital
Technologies – the symposium brought together over 600 participants including
Ministers, Heads of Regulatory Authorities, industry executives and academics
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 Uganda's Minister for
ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi. “Best practice now calls
for a coordinated and collaborative approach that is inclusive of all relevant
stakeholders – if we are to achieve the impact that we all desire. 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.
AI, for example, could help
network operators conduct better planning and prevent fraud, but it also raises
challenges associated with privacy, bias, job displacement, and the reliability
of information.
“At GSR-24, we discussed
core policy and regulatory issues to maximise the potential of digital
technologies to improve lives. We addressed key topics, including new
developments in the field of generative AI and robotics, building an inclusive,
safe, and sustainable space economy, and required interventions in addressing
climate change challenges,"
said Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU's Telecommunication
Development Bureau. “We brought the global community of regulators together
to strengthen our collective capacity to navigate the fast-changing technology
landscape and drive sustainable and inclusive digital transformation. We heard
from young innovators and entrepreneurs and adopted action-oriented Best
Practice Guidelines to help us chart the course of transformative technologies
for positive impact."
"As we navigate the
transformative landscape of digital technologies, the importance of impactful
regulation cannot be overstated,"
said the Chair of GSR-24 and Executive Director of the Uganda Communications
Commission (UCC), George William Nyombi Thembo. “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. By recognizing the interdependencies with other
sectors, we 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."
Prior to the opening of GSR-24, the Regional Regulatory Associations
(RA) and Digital Regulation Network (DRN) meeting shared experiences and
knowledge as well as areas for collaboration. The meeting also featured the
achievements of the successful first year of the DRN, focusing on capacity
building, thought leadership, and regulatory experimentation and innovation.
Key activities presented include knowledge sharing through the ITU Academy, the
broadband mapping project, capacity building activities, contributions to ITU-D
Study Groups, RA participation in interactive workshops and engaging on
twinning experiences to learn from other Regional Regulatory Associations. Dr.
Ally Simba, Executive Secretary of the East African Communications
Organisatiopns (EACO) served as RA-24 Chair.
Also ahead of GSR-24,
the Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues and Private Sector Chief
Regulatory Officers (IAGDI-CRO) convened industry and private sector
thought leaders to share experiences and proposals with regulators to address the
complex regulatory and business landscape of digital ecosystems. Topics
discussed included digital infrastructure development, implementation of
regulatory ''sandboxes,'' strategies to enable high-speed connectivity,
regulation of the future, including new domains such as AI, and technologies
for the future. These discussions were reflected in an Outcome Statement presented at the GSR-24 closing
ceremony by Bocar Ba, IAGDI-CRO Chairman and CEO of Samena Telecommunications
Council.
A session of Network of
Women (NoW) in ITU's Telecommunication Development Sector at GSR-24 explored
mechanisms for greater participation of women in ICT-related fields and address
the leadership gender gap in the ICT sector.
By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
