The 2024 annual Regional Regulatory Associations (RA)/Digital Regulation Network (DRN) meeting was held on Monday 1 July 2024 in Kampala, Uganda. It was chaired by Dr Ally Simba, Executive Secretary of the East African Communications Organization (EACO). The Regional Regulatory Associations Meeting provides a unique platform for Regulatory Associations (RA) to share experiences and knowledge. The aim of the Digital Regulation Network (DRN) initiative is to accelerate sustainable digital transformation through common approaches to collaborative digital policy, regulation and governance across economic sectors and across borders.
In his opening remarks, Dr Simba expressed the need for collaboration in shaping our digital future. He noted that the Digital Regulation Network (DRN) initiative, is serving as a platform for sharing best practices, fostering innovation, and harmonizing regulatory approaches at regional and global level. He added that this ITU initiative creates a structured approach and added that this collaboration network can serve as a game changer. He further highlighted that effective implementation of the building blocks of DRN (Thought Leadership, Capacity Development, and Regulatory Experimentation and Innovation) within the Regional Regulatory Associations and their members is key to the success of the initiative and will help promote global coordination and cooperation.
During all the various discussions it was a common agreement to continue supporting the DRN Initiative as a vehicle to facilitate stronger collaboration and cooperation between Regional Regulatory Associations and their members. RAs also underlined the relevance of harmonizing digital regulation. It was noted that there is an urgent need to accelerate the development and deployment of emerging technologies into the market by fostering collaborative regulatory methods that span different sectors, countries, and regions.
A special session focusing on the development of harmonized broadband mapping systems offered an opportunity to discuss the importance of broadband mapping with such initiatives being seen as a prerequisite for investment in sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.
AGENDA
9h00-9h15 Opening remarks- Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, BDT Director, ITU
- Dr Ally Yahaya Simba, Executive Secretary of the East African Communications Organization (EACO) and RA Chair
9h15-9h30 Presentation on the progress of the ITU Initiative “Digital Regulation Network (DRN) – A collaborative network of networks”
9h30-10h30 Discussion and interventions from the Regional Regulatory AssociationsWay forward
10h30-11h00 Coffee break – photo
11h00-11h50 Development of harmonized broadband mapping systems
11h50-12h00 Closing
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