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Programme

Print Version
Sunday, 31 August 2025
14:00 – 17:00
Room B – Shubra
Executive Masterclass: Strategic Foresight for AI Collaborative Frameworks
(By invitation only)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming societies and economies, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges for policymakers and regulators. A number of global, regional and national policies and frameworks have been implemented but in a fragmented way. To harness the full potential of AI and while mitigating its risks to ensure harmonized and responsible AI deployment, effective collaborative governance is essential. What would these look like? Applying strategic foresight will offer decision-makers with strategic pathways to enhance governance frameworks for responsible AI. 

The masterclass will center on the following key aspects:

  1. What is strategic foresight?
  2. What is the objective of providing guidance to AI?
  3. What are the big signals, trends and drivers?
  4. What scenarios do we envision to drive AI collaborative governance?
  5. What actions to take to get to the scenarios we want?
  6. How to engage the stakeholders in desired scenarios that lead to positive impact?
Trainer
Professor Rafael Popper
ITU Consultant
Intervener
Dr Lamya Abdulaziz Alomair
Executive Expert Consultant , Technology Foresight and Digital Economy Deputyship, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology., Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Monday, 01 September 2025
09:00 – 10:15
Room B – Shubra
Digital Regulation Network/Regulatory Associations Meeting

The Regional Regulatory Associations / Digital Regulation Network (DRN) Meeting provides a unique platform for Regulatory Associations (RA) to share experiences and knowledge. The aim of the ”DRN initiative” is to accelerate sustainable digital transformation through common approaches to collaborative digital policy, regulation and governance across economic sectors and across borders.

    • 9h00-9h10 Opening remarks

 

    • Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, BDT Director, ITU
    • Eng. Omar Abdulrahman Alrejraje, Representative AREGNET and RA-25 Chair, Deputy Governor of Regulation and Competition Sector, Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
    • 9h10-10h10 Discussion and interventions from the Regional Regulatory Associations

 

    • RAs activities and experiences
    • How RAs can contribute to DRN implementation
    • 10h10-10h15 way forward and closing

 

    • 10h15 Photo

 

Opening remarks
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
Director BDT, International Telecommunication Union
Moderator
Eng. Omar Abdulrahman Alrejraje
Representative AREGNET and RA-25 Chair, Deputy Governor of Regulation and Competition Sector, Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
10:45 – 12:30
Room B – Shubra
Heads of Regulators Executive Roundtable: What will it take for regulators to be digital ecosystem builders?
(By invitation only)

As digital technologies transform how societies connect, trade, learn and are governed, regulators are being called to do more than oversee markets. The discussion will focus on how regulators adapt and integrate innovation at the core of their institutional mission to help shape resilient and future-ready digital ecosystems.

  • Best Practice Guidelines presentation and adoption
  • Interactive high-level dialogue
Moderator
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
Director BDT, International Telecommunication Union
Speakers
H.E. Eng. Haitham Alohaly
Governor, Communication, Space and Technology Commission (CST) and GSR-25 Chair, Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union
Keynote Speaker
H.E. Mr Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications, India (Republic of)
12:30 – 13:20
Room A – Turaif
Information session on Connecting Humanity

The session will present the Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint , an updated edition of the landmark 2020 Connecting Humanity report, both developed by ITU with the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This refreshed report looks at the latest targets for universal, meaningful connectivity and provides an updated cost estimate to close the core gaps perpetuating digital divides globally: infrastructure, affordability, skills, and policy and regulation. The new Connecting Humanity Action Blueprint charts a path toward closing these gaps by advancing best practices in multistakeholder partnerships, learning from successful case studies, advancing “Digital Inclusion Transformative Partnerships,” and monitoring and tracking progress through key performance indicators.

Opening remarks
Mr Mufarreh Nahari
Deputy Governor for Studies and Innovation, , Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Moderator
Ms Sulyna Abdullah
Chief, Strategic Planning and Membership, and Special Advisor, Secretary-General, ITU
Panelists
Mr Paul Garnett
Chief Executive Officer, Vernonburg Group
Mr Daniel Cavalcanti
Senior Advisor – Digital and Telecommunications Policy, Brazilian Federal Government, Brazil (Federative Republic of)
13:30 – 15:15
Room B – Shubra
Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues and Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers’ (IAGDI-CRO) Meeting

This session will convene industry and private sector thought leaders who will share experiences, best practices and concrete proposals to address the complex regulatory and business landscape of the digital ecosystems. The meeting will focus on dissecting the key regulatory challenges and opportunities of this decade that are influencing how industry operates.

Limited Seats: Preference will be given to ITU-D Sector Members. ITU Member States and Regulators are welcome to attend and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Chairman
Mr Bocar Ba
IAGDI-CRO Chair, CEO SAMENA Telecommunications Council, United Arab Emirates
Vice-chairs
Ms Lele Modise
Group Chief Executive- Legal and Regulatory Officer, MTN Group 
Ms Amy Alvarez
AVP, International External & Regulatory Affairs, AT&T
Opening remarks
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
Director BDT, International Telecommunication Union
Firestarters
Ms Isabelle Mauro
Director General, GSOA
Ms Elisabet Fonalleras
Head of Global Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Sateliot
Mr Amr Hashem
Policy Director MENA, GSM Association
Mr Chee Kheong Foong
Group Chief Regulatory Officer, Axiata Group Berhad
Ms Eiman Mohyeldin
Head of Spectrum Standardization, Nokia Corporation
Eng. Tariq Alamri
Senior Vice President for Public Policies and Regulatory Affairs, Mobily
Ms Diana Mejía
Chief Executive Officer, Entirety Brazil
Mr Amir Al-Gibreen
Group Chief Regulatory and Compliance, Saudi Telecom
Ms Fatou Sow Kane
Chief Executive Officer, Expresso Senegal
Closing remarks
Mr Bocar Ba
IAGDI-CRO Chair, CEO SAMENA Telecommunications Council, United Arab Emirates
16:00 – 17:00
Room A – Turaif
GSR-25 Opening Ceremony
H.E. Eng. Haitham Alohaly
Governor and GSR-25 Chair, Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) , Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
Director BDT, International Telecommunication Union
20:00 – 22:00
Gala Dinner

World Equestrian Resort

Tuesday, 02 September 2025
09:00 – 10:15
Room A – Turaif
High level Segment: Collaborate – Collaborative Governance for Digital Development

This session will examine evidence-based decision-making for sustainable growth, effective data collection, and innovative governance in digital transformation. The conversation will start with a Ministerial exchange and will continue with regulators and industry players.

  • How can evidence-based decision making in a data driven economy support sustainable growth and innovation? How to raise awareness of the importance of prioritizing data collection. Sharing of national experiences
  • Anticipatory and consultative policy and regulatory processes: the key to driving digital development, what works, what doesn’t work?
  • Innovative governance approaches: digital cooperation and partnerships for sustainable digital transformation, soft versus normative regulatory approaches?
Moderator
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
Director BDT, International Telecommunication Union
Panelists
Hon. Ms Nthati Moorosi
Minister, Ministry of Information, Communication, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lesotho (Kingdom of)
H.E. Mr Miguel Marques Gonçalves Manetelu
Minister, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Timor-Leste (Democratic Republic of)
H.E. Eng. Haitham Alohaly
Governor and GSR-25 Chair, Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Mr Carlos Manuel Baigorri
President, Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL), Brazil (Federative Republic of)
Mr Anil Kumar Lahoti
Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India (Republic of)
Ms Fatou Sow Kane
Chief Executive Officer, Expresso Senegal
10:45 – 12:00
Room A – Turaif
Session 2: Connect – From Earth to Space

This session will explore innovative technologies, future developments and regulatory measures to facilitate resilient universal connectivity.

  • Sustainable universal connectivity: turning the dream into reality, what will it take?
  • How can innovative technologies contribute to achieving universal connectivity?
  • Business imperative: Satellites, wireless, subsea cables and fibre terrestrial networks, are these complementary or competing technologies in the digital ecosystem?
  • Space and terrestrial: What spectrum for future networks?
  • Future developments: From terrestrial to NTN, what can regulators do to facilitate safe, secured and resilient connectivity for all?
  • Understanding the infrastructure needs of tomorrow, are we ready for it? The commercial hype versus the consumer need?
Moderator
Ms Ekaterine Imedadze
Commissioner, Georgian National Communications Commission, Georgia
Panelists
Mr Mothibi Ramusi
Chairperson, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), South Africa (Republic of)
Mr Vadim Nozdrin
Counsellor ITU-R Study Group 7 , ITU Radiocommunication Bureau
Mr Khaled Hegazy
Chief Operations Officer, e&
Mr Barbee Ponder
Vice President and General Counsel, Globalstar
Mr Kalpak Gude
Head Global Regulatory Affairs, Amazon Kuiper
12:45 – 13:45
Fountain Area
Network of Women (NoW) in ITU-D interactive session

This interactive session of the NoW in ITU-D will bring together women delegates, regulators, and policymakers to explore how gender-responsive regulation can drive inclusive and sustainable digital development. Participants will engage in dynamic group discussions on inclusive regulation, AI for green and trusted digital environments, and women’s leadership in digital policy. The session will strengthen peer learning, networking, and empower women delegates at GSR-25 to take on visible and influential roles in shaping the future of regulation.

Opening remarks
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
Director BDT, International Telecommunication Union
Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Secretary-General, International Telecommunication Union
Moderator
Ms Sofie Maddens
Chief BDT/DKS, International Telecommunication Union
Facilitators
Professor Sandra Maximiano
Chairwoman, Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ANACOM) , Portugal
Mrs Regina Fleur Assoumou-Bessou
Conseiller technique du Directeur Général, Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC de Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI), Côte d’Ivoire (Republic of)
Ms Ekaterine Imedadze
Commissioner, Georgian National Communications Commission, Georgia
14:00 – 15:15
Room A – Turaif
Session 3: Trust – In Digital we Trust

The session will explore regulatory strategies for secure infrastructure, data governance, and accountability of stakeholders in transformative technologies.

  • What regulatory approaches are needed to ensure secure and resilient infrastructure including subsea cables, satellites, wireless networks, data centres and clouds, and other critical infrastructure?
  • Securing the value chain, what framework and regulatory measures to apply to mitigate risks and foster trust?
  • Trusted services and data governance: how to balance privacy, openness and data sharing in a secure way that fosters trust in transformative technologies?
  • Ensuring accountability: What role for regulators, operators and digital players?
Moderator
Ms Emilia Nghikembua
Chief Executive Officer, Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), Namibia (Republic of)
Panelists
Mr George Michaelides
Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of Electronic Communications and Postal Regulation, Cyprus (Republic of)
Eng. Mohamed Shamroukh
Executive President, National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt (Arab Republic of)
Dr Aminu Maida
Vice Chairman & Chief Executive Officer , Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria (Federal Republic of)
Dr Bilel Jamoussi
Deputy Director and Chief SPD, ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB)
Mr Ran Wei
Chief Engineer, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), China (People’s Republic of)
Mr Chee Kheong Foong
Group Chief Regulatory Officer, Axiata Group Berhad
15:45 – 17:00
Room A – Turaif
Session 4: Protect – Shaping Consumer Confidence

This session will discuss policy and regulatory measures and the roles of stakeholders in building consumer confidence and protection in a transformative AI-driven world.

  • What policy and regulatory measures are needed to protect consumers in an AI and big data driven world?
  • How to ensure that AI systems are designed with diverse user groups in mind, taking into account different needs and perspectives? What role for regulators and digital providers?
  • How to ensure that children and youth are safe online?
  • Are collaborative approaches the answer to strengthen consumer protection, authenticity of information and to address bias?
  • How to ensure compliance and enforcement in a globalized digital environment?
Moderator
Mr Haji Jailani Haji Buntar
Chief Executive, Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI), Brunei Darussalam
Panelists
H.E. Mr Husam A. Alsuliman
Policy & Regulations Deputy Governor, National Cybersecurity Authority, Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Mr Philip Marnick
General Director, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Bahrain (Kingdom of)
Mr Louis-Marc Sakala
Director General, Agence de Régulation des Postes et des Communications Electroniques (ARPCE), Congo (Republic of the)
Professor Sandra Maximiano
Chairwoman, Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ANACOM), Portugal
Mr Jacek Oko
President, Office of Electronic Communications (UKE), Poland (Republic of)
Wednesday, 03 September 2025
09:00 – 10:15
Room A – Turaif
Session 5: Include – Building an Inclusive and Equitable Digital Future

This session will explore innovative approaches for stakeholders to foster inclusiveness of all people in the digital ecosystem by implementing ICT accessibility policies, strategies and standards in the design and deployment of ICT products and services.

  • What innovative approaches can stakeholders take to ensure inclusiveness of all people regardless of age, gender, ability of geographical location, in the digital ecosystem?
  • Which regulatory measures can promote a holistic and intersectional approach to access to and use of technology?
  • What role for telcos, digital players and manufacturers in ensuring no one is left behind, ensuring accessibility by design?
  • What economic and regulatory incentives can policy makers and regulators foresee to ensure ICT usage by all?
  • How can transformative technologies contribute to digital inclusion of all?
Moderator
Ms Julissa Cruz Abreu
Executive Director, Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones (INDOTEL), Dominican Rep.
Panelists
Mr Samuel Muhizi
Director General, Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications (ARTC), Burundi
H.E. Eng. Bassam Alsarhan
Chairman of the Board and CEO, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Jordan
Mr Abdul Karim Fakir Ali
Managing Director, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Malaysia
Professor Salma Abbasi
Chairperson and CEO, eWorldwide Group
10:45 – 12:00
Room A – Turaif
Session 6: Empower – Upskilling for the Digital Age

This session will address upskilling needs and gaps, looking at cross-sectoral cooperation, AI’s impact on jobs, and inclusiveness of public sector digital policies.

  • Digital literacy, talent and skills development: understanding the needs and assessing the gaps to meet the digital talent required across sectors, are cross-sectoral cooperation and multistakeholder partnerships the answer?
  • The impact of AI on skills and jobs across the digital economy: are we prepared?
  • Targeting the public sector: are policies for inclusive, secure and user-centred digital public services in place?
Moderator
Mrs Leonilde Tatiana Monteiro Lima Santos
Chair of the Board of Directors, Agência Reguladora Multissectorial da Economia (ARME), Cabo Verde (Republic of)
Panelists
Mr Marko Mišmaš
Director, Agency for Communication Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia (AKOS), Slovenia (Republic of)
Mr John Omo
Secretary General, African Telecommunications Union (ATU)
Ms Caroline Koech
Executive Director, East African Communications Organization (EACO)
Ms Eiman Mohyeldin
Head of spectrum standardization and CEPT Co-Chair for the Network of Women towards WRC-27, Nokia
13:00 – 13:50
Room A – Turaif
Lightning session on RegTech

This session will explore how emerging technologies such as AI, big data, blockchain and IoT can be integrated across the regulatory cycle to enhance supervision, compliance and decision-making. The discussion will cover:

  • How real-time spectrum monitoring, automated compliance alerts, data-driven dashboards and smart licensing systems can improve regulatory efficiency.
  • How integrated data sources, digital engagement platforms and crowd-sourced feedback can drive responsive and transparent regulation.
  • How regulatory sandboxes, living labs and other experimentation tools can accelerate innovation while ensuring effective oversight.
  • How regulators can address trust, ethics, privacy safeguards and accountability in the use of emerging technologies.
  • What capacity-building measures are needed to support sustainable RegTech adoption across government.
Moderator
Mr Petros Galides
Chairman, EMERG 2024 & 2025; ITU DRN Board Member
Facilitators
Eng. Omar Abdulrahman Alrejraje
Deputy Governor, Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Dr Danny Tobey
Chair of AI & Data Analytics, DLA Piper
Mr James Gabriel Claude
Chief Executive Officer, Global Voice Group
Dr Shiv Bakhshi
VP, Industry Relations, Group Function – Technology, Ericsson
14:00 – 15:00
Room A – Turaif
Session 7: Sustain – What Framework for a Sustainable Future?

This session will discuss frameworks for sustainability as well as the role of digital tech in climate action, ESG compliance, and impact measurement. The discussion will also address the emerging challenges of space sustainability and the growing space economy.

  • Green tech: How can digitalization and data driven solutions support climate action?
  • Can AI and digital tech reduce climate risks?
  • What role for regulators and industry players in developing compliant ESG frameworks? Can regulators foster sustainability by design?
  • How to measure impact: The importance of data and data analysis, are we there yet?
  • Space Economy & Sustainability: As the space economy grows, what key principles should guide the sustainable use of orbital resources?
Moderator
Mr Xavier Merlin
Board Member, Autorité de Régulation des Communications électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), France
Panelists
Mr Naif Sheshah
Deputy Governor of Strategy and Digital, Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Mr Mustafa Yasin Sheikh
Director General, National Communications Authority (NCA), Somalia
Mr Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu
President and Chairman of the Board, Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), Türkiye
Mr Jay Schwarz
Chief of the Space Bureau, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), United States of America
Ms Cynthia Lesufi
Minister Counsellor, Permanent Mission of South Africa to the UN Office and other International Organisations, South Africa (Republic of)
Ms Donna Bethea-Murphy
Senior Vice President, Global Regulatory Policy, Viasat
15:30 – 16:30
Room A – Turaif
Session 8: Innovate – Building the Ecosystem to Address Global Challenges

This session will explore balancing innovation with responsible use of digital and new and emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, new space technologies and blockchain, the importance of co-creation in regulation, and governance models for sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. 

  • Balancing innovation and responsible use of digital and new and emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, new space technologies and blockchain: are agile regulatory approaches the answer?
  • Fostering innovation, can co-creation and co-regulation work?
  • How to regulate AI powered applications and systems, big data and data analytics (algorithms), IoT and the metaverse while encouraging innovation that aligns with sustainability and inclusivity goals?
  • What governance models to apply to foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem at the national level?
Moderator
Mr Tonko Obuljen
Chairman, Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM), Croatia (Republic of)
Panelists
Professor Iza Razija Mešević
Chairwoman of the Council, Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK), Bosnia and Herzegovina
Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete
Director General, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ), Zimbabwe (Republic of)
Ms Isabelle Mauro
Director General, GSOA
16:30 – 17:00
Room A – Turaif
Closing Ceremony
Closing remarks
H.E. Eng. Haitham Alohaly
Governor, Communication, Space & Technology Commission (CST) and GSR-25 Chair, Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
Director BDT , International Telecommunication Union