In two weeks, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is hosting its annual event for telecommunications regulators: The Global Symposium for Regulators 2024 (GSR-24). Digital transformation, the space economy, financial services, and artificial intelligence (AI) are just some of the many topics that regulators from around the world will discuss, with a consistent focus on the connectivity backbone that all these issues require to work.
This forum offers a unique chance for governments to share their experiences regarding different relevant issues. It also presents an incredible opportunity for the ITU-affiliated private sector to engage with the authorities in a different way.
Normally, ITU meetings in the ITU-D/R/T sectors follow an agenda that keeps regulators extremely busy, leaving little time to entertain bilateral meetings with companies. On the contrary, GSR is designed to be a forum for debate and sharing experiences. This makes opportunities for fruitful exchanges with authorities far higher.
Another distinctive feature is that regulators are normally represented by a senior authority – either the head of the regulator or someone from their board. This moves the conversation away from technicalities and more into political and economic aspects. If a company is trying to expand into a new jurisdiction, GSR is the place to showcase the economic or social impact that the company’s business may have on the country and try to win some traction over the usual regulatory market access red tape.
Finally, this year’s GSR is hosted by Uganda. Consequently, the attendance list already shows the considerable assistance of African nations. For companies looking to increase their presence in the continent, the GSR presents a fantastic opportunity to meet with dozens of regulatory authorities from African countries within a matter of days.
Access Partnership works closely with governments, regulators, and the private sector to unlock access to innovative technologies. To learn more about GSR and how we can support your business, please contact Juan Cacace at [email protected].
