The 15th Edition of the Global Symposium for Regulators opened on 9 June 2015 in Libreville, Gabon.
In his opening statement, Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau, highlighted the unprecedented growth of information and communications technologies over the past 15 years which has opened huge opportunities for social and economic development.
He cited the spread of digital financial services with the emergence of internationalized mobile payment solutions, use of ICTs in the agricultural sector to enhance production, storage and marketing of produce and the rapid integration of ICTs in the spheres of health and education.
"To improve the lives of all around the world, through ICTs, we need both the necessary ICT infrastructure and legal and regulatory frameworks that are conducive to investment and innovation," said Mr Sanou.
He added, "ITU remains firmly committed to facilitating global dialogue between policy-makers, regulators, investors, the private sector and operators, to enable them overcome the challenges arising from the convergence of infrastructures, services and service providers."
The opening session was attended by H. E Mr Séraphin Moudounga, Minister of Justice, who represented the Prime Minister of Gabon, H.E. Professor Daniel Ona Ondo, H.E. Mr Pastor Ngoua N'neme, Minister of the Digital Economy and Posts, Mr Jean-François Ndongou, President of the National Communication Council, Mr Lin Mombo, President of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts, Monsieur Abdoulkarim Soumaila, Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union.
The theme of this year's symposium is 'Mind the Digital Gap – Regulatory Incentives to Achieve Digital Opportunities. ' Key topics to be discussed during the three day event include: the funding challenges facing the ICT sector; innovative investment strategies to support the deployment of broadband; mobile payments; impact of taxation on the digital economy; Internet of Everything; achieving digital inclusion and facilitation of m-services and applications.
See also:
Press Release
Mr Brahima Sanou's Speech:
French,
English
