Regulatory
leaders from around the world have agreed on a new set of guidelines to secure
an inclusive and sustainable digital future for all.
The Best Practice Guidelines adopted at the International
Telecommunication Union's Global Symposium for Regulators
(GSR-23) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, are expected to define
regulatory and economic incentives to stimulate the deployment of digital
infrastructure for all people everywhere.
GSR-23 was hosted by the National Telecommunication
Regulatory Authority (NTRA) of Egypt, under the auspices of H.E. President
Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, 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."
In
order to advance universal and meaningful connectivity, the guidelines focus on
regulatory approaches for rural, unserved and underserved areas 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 captured established regulatory
principles for a competitive, safe and inclusive enabling environment.
The
2023 Guidelines address and identify incentives that can be used to expand
connectivity, and support access, adoption, and use. They also identify novel,
innovative, ground-breaking, evidence-based cross-sector digital policy and
regulatory principles to support a sustainable digital future for all people
everywhere.
Based
on contributions from national and regional policy-makers and regulators,
regional and international organizations, civil society, and the private sector,
the guidelines identify collaborative approaches to encourage the development
of investor-friendly markets that promote competition while stimulating
innovation.
“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.”
At
the three-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 providing the tools we need to drive universal
connectivity and sustainable digital transformation."
Ahead of GSR-23, the Industry
Advisory Group on Development Issues and Chief Regulatory Officers (IAGDI-CRO) engaged industry and private sector members to
discuss and share perspectives on how they can contribute to achieving
effective digital transformation.
These discussions were reflected in an
Outcome Statement presented at the GSR-23 closing ceremony by Bocar Ba,
IAGDI-CRO Chairman and CEO of Samena Telecommunications Council. The meeting
reaffirmed the private sector's commitment to supporting governments,
particularly regulators, during today's volatile and ever-changing environment,
to achieve common goals both in the near and long term.