Introduction

The International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-23) took place from 5-8 June 2023 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, under the theme “Regulation for a Sustainable Digital Future”. The Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) serves as a platform for regulators to drive conversations on the impact of digital transformation on markets and societies.This year, GSR-23 marked the 20th anniversary of the GSR Best Practice Guidelines, a set of regulatory guidelines adopted by regulators at the conclusion of each GSR. The participating regulators collectively contributed to the development of this year’s Best Practice Guidelines, aimed at promoting inclusivity and sustainability for the digital future through enhanced cross-sectoral and cross-regional collaboration.

Background

GSR-23, hosted by Egypt’s National Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (NTRA) under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, saw a record-breaking attendance of 757 participants. Government leaders, regulators, policymakers, industry experts, and key stakeholders discussed vital ICT policy topics, such as frequency spectrum, infrastructure, space, metaverse, digital inclusion, early warning systems, and the role of digital technology across sectors.During the symposium, the Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Dr Cosmas Zavazava, signed the following partnerships:

• A Joint Declaration between the European Mediterranean Regulators Group and the Eastern Partnership Electronic Communications Regulators Network and the International Telecommunication Union regarding Strengthened Collaboration in the Field of Mapping of Broadband Infrastructure and Services.
• A Memorandum of Understanding between the International Telecommunication Union and the European Mediterranean Regulators Group (EMERG) to establish a High-Level Framework of Cooperation in the Area of Electronic Communications.
• Launch of a new project with the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) on Developing and Implementing E-waste Policy and Regulation for a Circular Economy.

GSR-23 witnessed the formation of notable initiatives, including:

• The Digital Regulation Network (DRN) – a convening platform to facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration, consultation, and experimentation among national, regional, and global regulators and regulatory associations. It aims to accelerate sustainable digital transformation through laid-out approaches to collaborative regulation that will include twinning.
• The newly published Collaborative Digital Regulation Country Reviews – with an authoritative analysis of national regulatory landscapes and clear, practical guidance for achieving G5 regulation and digital transformation.

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