As an international management consulting executive, Dr. Raul Katz has provided direction to CEOs and other top management of major telecommunications, software, and digital companies in the areas of business strategy, consumer/industrial marketing, and general management. He managed projects in the areas of demand forecasting, scenario planning, competitive analysis, market entry strategy, churn management and new product development. Dr. Katz conducted assignments in the United States, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

In 2006 he founded Telecom Advisory Services, a firm that advises clients in the interrelated fields of strategy, economics, and regulation. Before founding Telecom Advisory Services, he was a Lead Partner at Booz Allen Hamilton, where he was also a member of the firm’s Leadership Team and Head of the US and Latin America telecommunication practices. He was Director of Business Strategy Research at Columbia University’s Center for Tele-Information and has taught at the Columbia Business School. He is currently a Professor at the University of San Andrés (Argentina).

Dr. Katz has published articles in journals such as Telecommunications Policy, Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, Utilities Policy, and Information Technology for Development. His book The Information Society: An International Perspective, focusing on the deregulation trends in the worldwide telecommunications industry was published in 1988. His book Creative Destruction: Business Survival Strategies in the Global Internet Economy, addressing discontinuities in the telecommunications industry, was published in 2000, and translated into Japanese. His book The Role of ICT in Development was published in 2010. He also co-authored a book entitled Driving demand of Broadband Networks and Services, published in 2014 and another entitled Digital ecosystems: Innovation and Disruption in Latin America, published in 2017.

Dr. Katz received his Ph.D. in Management Science and Political Science and an MS in Communications Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In addition, he holds a Licence in History and a Maîtrise in Political Science from the University of Paris-Sorbonne, as well as a Licence and a Maîtrise (with honors) in Communication Sciences from the University of Paris. He is fluent in English, French and Spanish. He currently lives in New York and has lived in France, in addition to his native country of Argentina.

Cosmas Zavazava took office as Director of the​ Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Te​lecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.

With more than 30 years in telecommunications, including over 20 years in ITU’s Development Sector, Dr Zavazava has promoted and implemented impactful information and communication technology projects around the world.

Prior to his election as BDT Director, he served as ITU’s Chief of Partnerships for Digital Development , overseeing development-related projects, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization between 2019 and 2022, while launching new initiatives that have boosted the engagement of industry, private-sector and academia members in ITU’s work.

Previously, as ITU’s Chief of Projects and Initiatives, he oversaw development projects focused on gender, youth, and people with special needs, along with capacity building, emergency telecommunications, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and e-waste management.

Marko Mišmaš has been serving as the Director of the Agency for Communication Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia (AKOS) since 2023. His extensive professional background is rooted in over two decades of industry experience. Prior to his role at AKOS, the incoming BEREC Chair 2026 held various positions in telecommunications, smart metering, and the automotive industries, most recently as R&D Director in the private company Iskra Mehanizmi and before that as R&D Director in the company Iskraemeco. Marko Mismas holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Ljubljana.

Cosmas Zavazava took office as Director of the​ Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Te​lecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.

With more than 30 years in telecommunications, including over 20 years in ITU’s Development Sector, Dr Zavazava has promoted and implemented impactful information and communication technology projects around the world.

Prior to his election as BDT Director, he served as ITU’s Chief of Partnerships for Digital Development , overseeing development-related projects, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization between 2019 and 2022, while launching new initiatives that have boosted the engagement of industry, private-sector and academia members in ITU’s work.

Previously, as ITU’s Chief of Projects and Initiatives, he oversaw development projects focused on gender, youth, and people with special needs, along with capacity building, emergency telecommunications, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and e-waste management.

Mr. Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu has been the Chairman of the Board and President of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) of the Republic of Türkiye since August 2018. He was re-appointed for a second term in August 2022 after completing his first 4-year term in this position.

He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1975. He is an Electrical and Electronic Engineer graduated from Eastern Mediterranean University.

Mr. Karagözoğlu worked as a software engineer at Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISKI) of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) from 2002 to 2004. Between 2004 and 2016, he held various managerial positions at BELBIM, a technology company of IMM.

He served as the Adviser to the Chairman and Board Member of BTK before his appointment.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin took office as Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.

Ms Bogdan-Martin has held leadership positions in the field of international telecommunications policy for over two decades, with a track-record of brokering innovative partnerships to expand digital inclusion and connectivity for everyone around the world. Following her historic election by ITU Member States in September 2022, she became the first woman ever to head the organization, which was first established in 1865 and became a UN specialized agency in 1947.

As ITU Secretary-General, she aims to drive innovative solutions, maximize ITU’s relevance for its 193 Member States, intensify global cooperation on connecting the unconnected, and strengthen the alignment of ITU’s programmes with the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations. Ms Bogdan-Martin has consistently emphasized the need for digital transformation to achieve economic prosperity, job creation, skills development, gender equality, and socio-economic inclusion, as well as to build circular economies, reduce climate impact, and save lives.

As Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau for a four-year term starting in 2018, she helped put sustainable digital development at the forefront of international cooperation, including with the private sector and civil society. Among other ITU development priorities, she actively promoted the Partner2Connect initiative, which has mobilized unprecedented pledges of funding and support for meaningful Internet connectivity in developing countries.

She was previously instrumental in establishing the ITU-UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, serving as its Executive Director for more than a decade; contributed to the success of ITU’s Global Symposium for Regulators as the pre-eminent worldwide meeting for digital policy makers; and led ITU’s youth engagement strategy. She also pioneered ITU’s ongoing contribution to the EQUALS Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age and initiated ITU’s collaboration with UNICEF on the Giga project to connect every school worldwide to the Internet.

Within ITU, she has promoted gender equality and encouraged bringing more women into the workforce, as well as helping women grow professionally and contributing to networks of women pursuing gender-balanced participation in conferences and policy making.

From 2008 until 2018, Ms Bogdan-Martin served as Chief of ITU’s Strategic Planning and Membership Department, overseeing corporate communications, external affairs, corporate strategy, and membership. Earlier, she headed the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau’s Regulatory and Market Environment Division and Regulatory Reform Unit.

Before joining ITU in 1994, she worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce as a Telecommunication Policy Specialist in the National Telecommunication and Information Administration.

Ms Bogdan-Martin holds a Master’s in International Communications Policy from American University in Washington, DC, a post-graduate certification in Strategies for Leadership from the Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, and a certification in Accountability and Ethics from the UN Leaders Programme. She is also a qualified amateur radio operator.

Ms Bogdan-Martin is married with four children.

• CEO SAMENA Telecommunications Council – UAE


• Member Review Board, 5th Generation Collaborative Regulation (G5) Benchmark – ITU


• Commissioner Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development – UN


• Member Edison Alliance, World Economic Forum (WEF)


• Member 2020 G20 Summit Advisory Board – (Former) Digital Economy Task Force – KSA


• Chairman Industry Advisory Group for Development Issues & Chief Regulatory Officers Meeting (IAGDI/CRO) – ITU

Lele Modise is the Group Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer (GCLRO) at MTN Group Limited (MTN), and was previously the MTN Group Chief Legal Counsel, having joined MTN Group in August 2019.

In her current role as the Group Legal and Regulatory Officer, she provides legal, regulatory and public policy strategic direction, including the implementation of the Group’s legal and regulatory risk management and regulatory advocacy and engagement programs. In her previous role, she was Barclays Africa Group Limited (Absa Africa)’s General Counsel for Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) from October 2014 and was appointed as General Counsel for both Wealth, Investment Management and Insurance (WIMI) and CIB in November 2015.

Ms Modise holds a B.Proc, LLB from the University of Pretoria (2001) and Masters in Banking Law (LLM) from the University of South Africa (2006). She was admitted as an Attorney in 2003.

Amy Alvarez serves is the AVP, International External and Regulatory Affairs at AT&T. In this capacity, she advocates AT&T’s positions on international telecommunications issues to the U.S. Executive Branch agencies and the Federal Communications Commission in support of AT&T’s global business and international wholesale business units.  Her portfolio also includes the management of AT&T Global Services Canada regulatory matters and the coordination of AT&T’s telecommunications and Internet policy positions before multilateral organizations, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL), and the Organisation for Economic and Co-operative Development (OECD).
  
Amy holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Boston University and a Master’s degree in Communication, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University.  She is based in Washington, D.C.

At the helm of the organization, Hadi Anwar shapes the organization’s strategic direction and leads a team of talented cyber experts to empower clients with dynamic, cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.

Driven by a vision to solve the issues that keep business leaders and governments up at night, Hadi leads strategic projects in collaboration with CPX cybersecurity consultants and experts to deliver solutions and services to limit clients’ exposure to cyberthreats.

In his 25-year career, Hadi has amassed a wealth of experience in IT and cybersecurity services across a wide spectrum of industries.

Priot to joining CPX, he was Group Chief Information Officer (Group CIO) at G42, responsible for setting up the IT, cybersecurity, Data Privacy and Business Continuity functions. In addition to providing leadership for the continued development of an innovative and robust IT environment, he provided services related to information security, data privacy, and business continuity across the Group.
Hadi has also served as Head of Information Security, Data Privacy, and Business Continuity/Resilience at NEOM, a US$500 billion mega city project in Saudi Arabia. In this role, he was responsible for the deployment and implementation of critical smart city-related technology, including cybersecurity, data privacy and business continuity controls.

He also played an instrumental role in setting up technology and cybersecurity functions at Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

Hadi holds a master’s degree in Analysis, Design, and Management of Information Systems from the London School of Economics & Political Science, and a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD.

Isabelle Mauro is Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) that represents the interests of the satellite industry ecosystem. Under Isabelle’s leadership, GSOA and its member CEOs lead the effort to showcase the benefits of satellite communications for a more inclusive, sustainable and secure society – vital to bridging the world’s digital divide, achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the full potential of the 5G & 6G ecosystem.

Isabelle has 25 years’ experience in the Telecoms and Technology sector, starting at the GSMA, where she was responsible for International & External Affairs for fifteen years. In 2015 she moved to New York to join the World Economic Forum as Head of the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Industry.

Isabelle is passionate about inclusion and sustainability. She is a Commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. She also sits on the Advisory Board of Women in Tech.

Ravi leads Helios Towers’ engagement with governments, international organisations, and development partners across the world. He plays a central role in shaping public policy to support sustainable digital and power infrastructure, with a focus on improving access to connectivity and energy in developing countries. Ravi has a proven track record in policy advocacy in the ICT sector, and has worked closely with governments and multilateral institutions to promote investment-friendly environments and sustainable development. Ravi holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and master’s degrees in European Business Law, International Strategy and Diplomacy (LSE), and Sustainability Leadership (Cambridge). He is also a qualified lawyer (England & Wales).

Baher Esmat is the ICANN Regional Vice President for stakeholder engagement in the Middle East, and Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) Regional office in Istanbul. In his role, Esmat oversees ICANN’s engagement in the MEA region and facilitates collaboration with stakeholders to fulfill ICANN’s strategic objectives at the regional level.

Esmat has been involved in Internet technical and governance issues for over two decades. Prior to ICANN, he spent over three years with the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), where he served as Telecom Planning Manager spearheading various projects aiming at expanding Internet access at the national level. Before MCIT, Esmat worked for Newbridge Networks as a Systems Consultant and was part of the sales support team providing technical consultation and developing solutions for clients across the Middle East. Esmat began his career as a Systems Engineer at Egypt’s Cabinet Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) where he was part of the team that helped bring the Internet to Egypt.

Esmat is a founding member of the Egypt ISOC Chapter. He also served on several Internet governance related groups including the UN Working Group on Internet Governance, the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development Working Group on IGF Improvements, and the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Committee (MAG).

Esmat holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Cairo University, and a master’s degree in Computer Science from the American University in Cairo.

Dr Chafic Chaya is a public policy and Internet governance professional with over 25 years of experience working at the intersection of digital infrastructure,  regulation, and multistakeholder cooperation, with a strong focus on achieving universal and meaningful connectivity.

He currently serves as Regional Manager for Public Policy and Government Affairs for the Middle East at the RIPE Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC), where he supports governments, regulators, policy makers and national stakeholders in developing evidence-based digital policies related to Internet and telecommunications infrastructure.

He works with the different stakeholder groups to support capacity-building initiatives aimed at reducing digital divides and improving access quality, affordability, and sustainability. His work places particular emphasis on translating technical data and operational realities into actionable public policy insights.

Dr Chaya is actively engaged in regional and global policy processes, including ITU meetings and forums, the WSIS process, the Internet Governance Forum, and discussions related to the Global Digital Compact (GDC), where he contributes to advancing inclusive, data-informed approaches to connectivity and digital development.

In 2025, Dr Chaya was nominated by the Council of Ministers of Lebanon to serve on Lebanon’s delegation to the United Nations WSIS+20 High-Level Meeting (UN General Assembly), contributing to negotiations of WSIS+20 on digital cooperation and advancing national and regional priorities related to digital inclusion, meaningful connectivity and an open, secure and stable Internet. He chaired the Lebanese MAG in 2023 and still serves as a member of the Lebanese and Arab IGF MAGs.

His academic background includes a Doctorate in Business Administration focused on Internet governance, an MBA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering, enabling him to bridge policy analysis, economic considerations, and technical evidence. He has also lectured at the graduate level on information systems and telecommunications.

Beyond his role at RIPE NCC, Dr Chaya is actively engaged with various organisations, including the Order of Engineers in Beirut, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Board at American University in Dubai, the IGF Policy Network on AI (PNAI), GigaNet, the Global and Arab IGF, and the Lebanon IGF.

Born on 19 January 1966 in Trabzon. Abdulkadir Uraloğlu received his Bachelor degree from the Civil Engineering Department of Karadeniz Technical University in 1988.

He started his career in the private sector as a site engineer in 1988. In 1989, Uraloğlu passed the exam of the General Directorate of Highways, he began working as a Survey Team Engineer at the Highways Erzurum 12th Regional Directorate. Between 1990 and 1998, he held the positions of Survey Team Engineer, Control Engineer and Chief of Control at the General Directorate of Highways’ Ankara 4th Regional Directorate, before being appointed Chief Construction Engineer at the Erzurum Regional Directorate in 1998.

Following his career in Erzurum, Uraloğlu was appointed as Deputy Director of the 10th Regional Directorate in Trabzon in 2003. Under the Emergency Action Plan launched at that time, he played an active role in the implementation of divided carriageways, asphalt-surfaced roads and motorway projects.

Uraloğlu began his duties as Director of the 6th Region in Kayseri in 2005 and was appointed Director of the 7th Region in Samsun in 2006. During his tenure, Uraloğlu contributed to the completion of the Black Sea Coastal Road. He served in Samsun for 6.5 years. He oversaw the commencement of construction works on the Tokat and Ünye Ring Roads, the Ordu Ring Road, the Amasya Ring Road and the Ordu-Topçam-Mesudiye Road, as well as the commissioning of the Samsun City Bypass and the Ordu-Ulubey Road.

In 2012, Uraloğlu was appointed to the Director of the General Directorate of Highways, İzmir 2nd Regional Directorate. During his six years in office in İzmir, he oversaw the completion of the Konak Tunnel and its access road, the Sabuncubeli Tunnel which reduced the journey time between İzmir and Manisa by 15 minutes and the commencement of construction on the Denizli Ring Road and the Honaz Tunnels.

Abdulkadir Uraloğlu was appointed to the post of Director General of the General Directorate of Highways by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 23 July 2018. During his tenure as Director General, numerous key projects for Türkiye’s transport infrastructure have been completed, including the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge and the Malkara-Çanakkale Motorway, the Istanbul-Izmir Motorway, the Northern Marmara Motorway, the Menemen-Aliağa-Çandarlı Motorway, and the Ankara -Niğde Motorway, the Ahlat-Karahasan-Malazgirt Road and the Gelibolu-Eceabat Road, among many other key projects for Türkiye’s transport infrastructure, were brought into service.

Uraloğlu was appointed Minister of Transport and Infrastructure in the 67th Government by a presidential decree published on 3 June 2023.

He is married and has 3 children.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin took office as Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.

Ms Bogdan-Martin has held leadership positions in the field of international telecommunications policy for over two decades, with a track-record of brokering innovative partnerships to expand digital inclusion and connectivity for everyone around the world. Following her historic election by ITU Member States in September 2022, she became the first woman ever to head the organization, which was first established in 1865 and became a UN specialized agency in 1947.

As ITU Secretary-General, she aims to drive innovative solutions, maximize ITU’s relevance for its 193 Member States, intensify global cooperation on connecting the unconnected, and strengthen the alignment of ITU’s programmes with the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations. Ms Bogdan-Martin has consistently emphasized the need for digital transformation to achieve economic prosperity, job creation, skills development, gender equality, and socio-economic inclusion, as well as to build circular economies, reduce climate impact, and save lives.

As Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau for a four-year term starting in 2018, she helped put sustainable digital development at the forefront of international cooperation, including with the private sector and civil society. Among other ITU development priorities, she actively promoted the Partner2Connect initiative, which has mobilized unprecedented pledges of funding and support for meaningful Internet connectivity in developing countries.

She was previously instrumental in establishing the ITU-UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, serving as its Executive Director for more than a decade; contributed to the success of ITU’s Global Symposium for Regulators as the pre-eminent worldwide meeting for digital policy makers; and led ITU’s youth engagement strategy. She also pioneered ITU’s ongoing contribution to the EQUALS Global Partnership for Gender Equality in the Digital Age and initiated ITU’s collaboration with UNICEF on the Giga project to connect every school worldwide to the Internet.

Within ITU, she has promoted gender equality and encouraged bringing more women into the workforce, as well as helping women grow professionally and contributing to networks of women pursuing gender-balanced participation in conferences and policy making.

From 2008 until 2018, Ms Bogdan-Martin served as Chief of ITU’s Strategic Planning and Membership Department, overseeing corporate communications, external affairs, corporate strategy, and membership. Earlier, she headed the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau’s Regulatory and Market Environment Division and Regulatory Reform Unit.

Before joining ITU in 1994, she worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce as a Telecommunication Policy Specialist in the National Telecommunication and Information Administration.

Ms Bogdan-Martin holds a Master’s in International Communications Policy from American University in Washington, DC, a post-graduate certification in Strategies for Leadership from the Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, and a certification in Accountability and Ethics from the UN Leaders Programme. She is also a qualified amateur radio operator.

Ms Bogdan-Martin is married with four children.

Mr. Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu has been the Chairman of the Board and President of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) of the Republic of Türkiye since August 2018. He was re-appointed for a second term in August 2022 after completing his first 4-year term in this position.

He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1975. He is an Electrical and Electronic Engineer graduated from Eastern Mediterranean University.

Mr. Karagözoğlu worked as a software engineer at Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISKI) of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) from 2002 to 2004. Between 2004 and 2016, he held various managerial positions at BELBIM, a technology company of IMM.

He served as the Adviser to the Chairman and Board Member of BTK before his appointment.

Cosmas Zavazava took office as Director of the​ Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Te​lecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.

With more than 30 years in telecommunications, including over 20 years in ITU’s Development Sector, Dr Zavazava has promoted and implemented impactful information and communication technology projects around the world.

Prior to his election as BDT Director, he served as ITU’s Chief of Partnerships for Digital Development , overseeing development-related projects, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization between 2019 and 2022, while launching new initiatives that have boosted the engagement of industry, private-sector and academia members in ITU’s work.

Previously, as ITU’s Chief of Projects and Initiatives, he oversaw development projects focused on gender, youth, and people with special needs, along with capacity building, emergency telecommunications, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and e-waste management.

Cosmas Zavazava took office as Director of the​ Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Te​lecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.

With more than 30 years in telecommunications, including over 20 years in ITU’s Development Sector, Dr Zavazava has promoted and implemented impactful information and communication technology projects around the world.

Prior to his election as BDT Director, he served as ITU’s Chief of Partnerships for Digital Development , overseeing development-related projects, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization between 2019 and 2022, while launching new initiatives that have boosted the engagement of industry, private-sector and academia members in ITU’s work.

Previously, as ITU’s Chief of Projects and Initiatives, he oversaw development projects focused on gender, youth, and people with special needs, along with capacity building, emergency telecommunications, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and e-waste management.

Born in İstanbul in the year 1977, Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan received his Bachelor degree from the Electronics Engineering Department of Istanbul University Faculty of Engineering; Faculty of Law of Bahçeşehir University and Diplomatic Studies of Oxford University – St Antony’s School.

He completed his Master’s Degree at Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Communications Engineering Department of Technical University of Munich and at Biomedical Engineering Department of İstanbul University Institute of Science and Technology. He completed his PhD studies in the departments of Biomedical Engineering at Istanbul University, Private Law and Political Science & Public Administration at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University.

He started his career in İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 1995 and worked in private companies in Türkiye, Germany and USA in the fields of chip manufacturing, cell phone design and R&D. He carried out studies in entrepreneurship by working under the initiative of Silicon Valley and he gave lectures on Information Law and New Trends in Informatics in many universities in Türkiye and Germany.

Dr. Sayan has given many lectures in conferences about research subjects and he has many articles published in scientific journals.

In addition to his academic work, he founded the Istanbul Türkiye Local Committee of the Electrical Engineering Students’ European Association (EESTEC). He is an IEEE member and a member of the EMO Ankara Branch. He served as president of the Turkish-German Friendship Delegation in Osnabrück, Germany, and the Türkische Gesprachskreis. He served as vice president and a member of the Audit Board of the Mimar Sinan Association. He served as the head of the Turkish delegation to the World Information Society Summit (WSIS). He also served as vice chair of the Independent Regulators Group (IRG). He was the coordinator of the Artificial Intelligence Türkiye Conference.

Having worked as advisor to the Prime Minister and chief advisor to the Prime Minister between the years of 2007 and 2014, he was appointed as the Member of the Board of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) in January 2014. He worked as the Chairman of the Board & President of BTK between August 2015 and July 2018.

Dr. Sayan has been the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure since 21 July 2018. He has been re-appointed for a second term on 22 June 2023

He speaks English, German and French. He is married and has 3 children.

Ms. Enkelejda Muçaj is the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy in the Republic of Albania since November 2021.

Ms. Muçaj held the position of General State Advocate from March 2020 to June 2021. For a period of 20 years (December 2000 – February 2020), she practiced as a lawyer at the international law office Tonnuci & Partners, during which she provided legal expertise in Telecommunication, Intellectual Property (Copyright and Industrial Property), Company Law, Contract Law, Tax Law, Mining Law, Administrative Law, related to the harmonization of national legislation with International Intellectual Property law and is specialized in the preparation and interpretation of trade contracts international, concession contracts as well as project financing contracts.

Ms. Muçaj was graduated in law from the Tirana University (1998) and has a master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law from University of Turin (Italy) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (2007); Diploma in International Practice on Capital Markets and Credit, and Diploma in International Mergers and Acquisition operations issued by the International Bar Association and College of Law of England and Wales.

Ms. Muçaj was a lecturer in the course of Intellectual Property at the University of New York Tirana (2013-2016) and is fluent in English and Italian.

Mr Siva Somasundram is the Director of Policy, Regulation and Markets of the International Bureau of the UPU and the Secretary of the Council of Administration of the UPU. In this capacity he oversees many of the critical policy and regulatory work programs of the International Bureau in support of the needs of UPU member governments. He is a lawyer and economist with over 20 years of experience in international regulatory and policy matters gained in the public and private sectors.

Mr Somasundram began his career as an economist and WTO trade negotiator for the Singapore Government and in that capacity chaired the WTO Working Party on GATS Rules and was Singapore’s lead services negotiator for several of its free trade agreement negotiations. He then spent several years as senior counsel in private practice with leading Australian and US law firms specializing in mergers and acquisitions, international trade and investment law and corporate law with a focus on regulated industries. Just prior to joining the UPU, Mr Somasundram was the co-Head of the Delegation of Australia to the UPU and was General Manager of the International Regulatory Affairs division of Australia Post. In that capacity he also led the work in a number of UPU bodies including as chair of Committee 4 (Regulation) of the Istanbul Congress.

Sandra Maximiano, Chairwoman of ANACOM’s Board of Directors since 15 December 2023, holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Amsterdam. She is an Associate Professor of Economics at ISEG – School of Economics & Management, University of Lisbon, where she is co-coordinator of XLAB – Behavioral Research Lab and of the Master’s Degree in Economics program. She was previously an Assistant Professor at Purdue University and a Research Fellow at the University of Chicago in the United States. She has also taught at Amsterdam School of Economic, Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, Nova School of Business and Economics and Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra.

Her academic research spans several areas: experimental and behavioral economics, organizational and labor economics, public policy, and information management. Her research explores issues related to social and moral preferences in individual decision making and in strategic and competitive environments, gender differences in economic decisions and the dynamics of information in competitive and co-operative situations. Maximiano primarily uses laboratory and field experiments to study human economic behavior and to collect data. Her work has been published in journals such as Review of Economic Studies, Economic Journal, Experimental Economics and Games and Economic Behavior. He is currently the Associate Editor of the Portuguese Economic Journal.

From 2006 to 2023, she was the author of opinion columns in the Portuguese press, most notably the column “A Economia somos nós” (The Economy is Us) in the Expresso newspaper.

Dr. iur. Iza Razija Mešević is the Chairwoman of the Council of the Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and a full professor of law at University of Sarajevo and Prince Sultan University in Riyadh, specialized in Intellectual Property Law (IP) and AI & Technology Law. In some of her other capacities, she is also the Lead legal expert for drafting the first Law on Innovations of Sarajevo Canton, trainer in the field of IP for the Centre for the Education of Judges and Prosecutors of the Federation of B&H and a TEDx speaker. Professor Mešević is the author of numerous monographs and research papers in the field of IP. In the last few years, her research is predominantly focused on the issues which emerging digital technologies and phenomenon pose on IP rights.

Ms. Ekaterine Imedadze has been a commissioner of the Georgian National Communications Commission (ComCom) since March 2021. Prior to taking up her position, she headed the Telecommunications Market Regulation Department at ComCom.

Ekaterine has over 15 years of professional experience in telecommunications with a global perspective. Ekaterine has held several key positions at the international telecommunications group company VEON Ltd., leading the Global Process unit responsible for the group’s digital transformation. She also served as the group’s internal control and risk management lead for several years. Ms Imedadze had previously served as the Head of Finance and Operations for a number of large private organisations, as well as a business consultant for leading ICT companies.

Ms. Imedadze holds an MBA from the University of Bradford School of Management and completed the Innovation Leadership programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Previously, she earned a master’s degree in physics as well as a postgraduate diploma in artificial intelligence and fuzzy logic from Tbilisi State University, and she is currently pursuing an LL.M. in competition law and economics at the Brussels School of Competition (BSC).

Ekaterine was appointed as the Board Member of the Digital Regulation Network (DRN) at the International Telecommunication Union from 2025.

Chairperson of the Eastern Partnership Electronic Communications Regulators Network (EaPeReg) in 2023.

Anatel’s President Carlos Baigorri has a degree in Economic Sciences from the University of Brasília (UnB), with a Master’s and Doctorate in Economics from the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB).

Acting in the telecommunications area since 2006, he was a consultant and analyst of sector information in an association of mobile operators. He has also served as an undergraduate professor at the Catholic University of Brasilia (UCB), at the Institute of Higher Education of Brasília (IESB), and at the Brazilian Institute of Capital Markets (IBMEC). He wrote articles and book chapters published in Brazil and abroad.

He has been a career permanent employee at Anatel since 2009, where he was previously nominated Executive Superintendent, Competition Superintendent, Obligations Control Superintendent, and Head of Technical Advisory.

Philip Marnick is the General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). He was appointed early January 2022 by the Members of the Board, to assume the position, paving the way for a more effective regulatory framework by continuing the evolution of the telecom sector liberalization.

Mr. Marnick leads the TRA, including the development of consumer protection initiatives and resolving disputes. The TRA develops regulatory rules that promote competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities, as well as developing a more comprehensive and competitive framework that aligns with international best practices. Ensuring that Bahrain remains a center of innovation and that its telecommunications sector serves everyone while supporting Bahrain’s strategic objectives.

Before assuming his role at the TRA, Philip managed and directed at Ofcom in the UK, where he was the Group Director of Spectrum responsible for all aspects of UK national and international spectrum management – from strategy to delivery including awards, clearance and enforcement.

Mr. Marnick has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 30 years. He has served as a senior executive in technology, operations, and strategy. Mr. Marnick has worked in both start-ups (from inception to sale) and major corporations, in firms such as UK Broadband, O2, Orange, BT, J-Phone in Japan (now Softbank Mobile), Extreme Mobile, and SpinVox (now Nuance).

From analogue to 5G, he has engaged across every mobile generation. Throughout his carrier he has been at the forefront of industry developments – in both fixed and mobile. He has collaborated on the first deployments of mobile networks utilizing new technologies and standards, this has also included innovative products such as the first camera phone and photo messaging service, as well as mobile internet and hosted voice services.

Currently serving as the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Maida plays a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape. Under his leadership, the NCC continues to advance connectivity, foster innovation, and promote a competitive and inclusive telecommunications industry.

Dr. Maida’s career includes significant contributions to leading global organizations such as British Telecom, Cisco Systems, and EE Ltd. He was also a pioneering engineering team member at UbiquiSys Ltd, a groundbreaking small-cell technology startup acquired by Cisco Systems in 2013.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Maida was the Executive Director of Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC (NIBSS). There, he spearheaded the modernization of Nigeria’s central digital payments infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a critical enabler of the country’s financial ecosystem.

In November 2024, as CEO, NCC, Dr. Maida joined the International Institute of Communications (IIC) as a Board Director.

Dr. Maida holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath, an MEng in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from the Cambridge Judge Business School.

John P. Janka serves as Chief Officer, Global Government Affairs & Regulatory at Viasat, Inc., an international communications solutions provider with a long legacy of designing, building and operating telecommunications and broadband networks of all types. He has extensive experience in the telecommunications, media, and technology (TMT) sector from over three decades of work at the global law firm Latham & Watkins, where he was a partner and served as the head of its Communications Law practice group. In that capacity, Mr. Janka represented entities ranging from startup entities to global leaders, whom he counseled on a variety of strategic matters. His clients included domestic and international satellite, wireless, and other terrestrial telecommunications companies; Internet service providers; video programming and other content suppliers; media services companies; television and radio broadcast operators; equipment manufacturers; and banks, private equity firms, and other investors.

Mr. Janka consistently has been recognized as a leading lawyer in publications such as Euromoney’s Expert Guides to the World’s Leading TMT Lawyers, Euromoney’s The Best of The Best USA-Telecoms, The International Who’s Who of Telecoms & Media Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the Washingtonian magazine. Both Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US ranked Mr. Janka as a leading lawyer in the telecommunications, satellite, and broadcast areas, noting his creativity, vast experience, and reputation as one of the leading lawyers. In 2017, Mr. Janka was inducted into The Legal 500’s Hall of Fame, which highlights individuals who have received “constant praise by their clients” and who are at the “pinnacle of their profession.” In addition, The Financial Times highlighted one of Mr. Janka’s projects for Viasat, providing a “standout” ranking for advising on issues involving new uses of radio spectrum.

Mr. Janka also developed and edited for a decade a global compendium of international law, entitled The Technology, Media and Telecommunications Review.

Mr. Janka graduated cum laude from Duke University and Order of the Coif from the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law. He served as a law clerk to Judge Cynthia Holcomb Hall, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and as a delegate at International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conferences.

Paola Vélez Marroquín is a Commissioner at the Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) of Colombia.

She holds a law degree from Universidad de La Sabana, a specialization in Industrial Property and Copyright Law from Universidad Externado de Colombia, and a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. She also holds a Master’s degree in Innovation and Legal Tech (cum laude) from Universidad Sergio Arboleda.

Ms. Vélez Marroquín has over 28 years of professional experience in both the public and private sectors. She previously served as Deputy Comptroller for Telecommunications and Public Services at the Bogotá Comptroller’s Office, and later as Intersectoral Deputy Comptroller at the Office of the Comptroller General of Colombia, a position she held until her appointment at the CRC.

She has also advised the Board of Directors of the National Television Commission and Canal Capital, and has led telecommunications and intellectual property areas in the private sector.

Mustafa Y. Sheik serves as the Director General of the National Communications Authority of Somalia (NCA), a position he has held since November 2022. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Sheik contributed to the NCA in a dual capacity — as Deputy General Manager and as a member of its Board of Directors.

From 2018 to 2021, he served as Executive Director of the Somalia Network Information Centre (SONIC), the registry operator for Somalia’s country-code top-level domain (.SO ccTLD). Earlier in his career, Mr. Sheik held the role of Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Communications and Technology from 2017 to 2018.

With over 15 years of experience across both the public and private sectors, Mr. Sheik has built deep expertise in Internet governance, regulatory and policy analysis, privatization, and competition economics. Throughout his career, he has actively engaged in specialized workshops, high-level forums, and international associations, contributing to global discussions on communications and digital policy.

Mr. Sheik holds a Master of Arts in International Economics and Business from Hochschule Furtwangen University (HFU), Germany, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Internet Governance from the University of Malta. He earned his Bachelor of Science from SIMAD University, Somalia.

Karol Krzywicki was appointed as Deputy President of UKE with responsibility for the postal market by the Minister of Digital Affairs on 15 February 2017. At present, he deals with postal issues, consumer policy, as well as telecommunications market regulation and development.

From 2000 to 2003 Karol Krzywicki was an employee of the Ministry of Communications responsible for cooperation with courier and express operators. Since 2003 involved in the activity of the regulator for the telecommunications and postal markets. From 2005 to 2014 he was the head of Department of the Postal Market. From 2014 to 2016 he held the position of Deputy President of UKE.

Karol Krzywicki was a co-author of the Postal Law Act and executive regulations to that and other acts falling within the scope of the postal market. He holds a master degree in law from the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin.

Mothibi Glenview RAMUSI is the Chairperson of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) since 2 May 2024. He possesses extensive executive, technical, and leadership experience gained across both the public and private sectors.

His academic and professional background spans telecommunications, broadcasting, and satellite engineering, with expertise in areas including spectrum management, lotteries, strategic and business leadership, radio planning, development and implementation of ICT, satellite broadcasting, postal and their associated regulatory frameworks. Mothibi was part of the founding cohort that contributed to the development of South Africa’s telecommunications policy, satellite and regulatory landscape in the post-1994 era.

He is deeply committed to mentorship and community development and is a qualified Electronic Systems Engineer, having graduated from the University of Essex, Colchester (United Kingdom). He also holds a Senior International Executive qualification from London Business School, completed in partnership with Wits Business School, and is a Certified Information Technology Professional (Systems Integration) with the Institute of Chartered IT Professionals of South Africa.

Kelly Ommundsen is Head of Digital Inclusion and a Member of the Executive Committee for the World Economic Forum

As Head of Digital Inclusion, Kelly combines her expertise in technology, policy, and partnerships with her commitment to social equity to drive meaningful change. Through flagship initiatives such as the EDISON Alliance and GovTech, she champions public-private partnerships to help bridge the digital divide and enable meaningful digital transformation.

Prior to this position, Kelly served as the Chief of Staff to the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum for over 5 years, as well as managed the Forum’s Board of Trustees, its top governance body, and served as the official secretary.

Kelly was responsible for creating and leading the Global Collaboration Village, the Forum’s presence in the metaverse, as well as building a vibrant community of 100+ Village Partners. She has previously led the government and regional partnerships for the Forum’s work on technology, as well as responsible for the relationship with the US Government in the Forum’s New York office.

Kelly has a diverse background in the public sector and civil society. She holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan.

Ingénieur général des Mines, diplômé de l’École polytechnique et de l’Institut d’études politiques de Paris, Xavier Merlin était depuis 2019 chef de la mission interministérielle relative à la simplification des formalités administratives des entreprises et de publicité légale.

Xavier Merlin débute sa carrière en 1996 à la Direction de la prévision du ministère de l’Économie, des Finances et de l’Industrie en tant que chargé des études économiques sur internet, l’audiovisuel, les télécommunications et la concurrence. Il intègre en 1998 la Direction des relations économiques extérieures de ce même ministère comme chargé des négociations multilatérales sur le commerce électronique, l’audiovisuel, les télécommunications et la poste. Nommé en 2000 conseiller technique auprès de Catherine Tasca, alors ministre de la Culture et de la Communication, il devient en 2002 directeur des affaires européennes et internationales du Centre national de la cinématographie. En 2008, il rejoint la Direction générale des entreprises (DGE) en tant que sous-directeur des relations institutionnelles dans le domaine des technologies et de la société de l’information. Sous-directeur de la réglementation et des affaires européennes et multilatérales de la DGE à partir de 2009, il y est nommé chef du service de l’action territoriale, européenne et internationale en 2014.

Prof. Dr. Nooh Alshyab has been serving as a member of the Board of Commissioners at the Jordanian Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) since November 2021.

Dr. Alshyab holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Potsdam (Germany), a Master’s Degree (Economics) from Dresden University of Technology (Germany), and a Bachelor’s Degree (Economics) from Yarmouk University.

Dr. Alshyab has more than 25 years of combined professional and academic experience as an economist. For almost 8 years, he was employed at the Jordanian Foreign Ministry and was appointed as as the Head of the Economic and Investment Desk to the Jordan Embassy in Berlin.

Emilia Nghikembua is the Chief Executive Officer of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia. She is the holder of a Baccalaureus Juris, Bachelor of Law and Master of Law (cum laude) degrees from the University of Namibia, respectively. Emilia also holds a Master of Arts in Information and Communications Technology Policy and Regulation obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand and an Executive Master of Business Administration with majors in business and technology. She is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.

Emilia was ranked among the top 100 African economic leaders by Institute Choiseul in 2022, 2023 & 2024, respectively. The ranking identified her as among the 100 Africans under the age of 40 years, expected to play a major role in the continent’s economic development soon. In 2023, Emilia was honoured by the Windhoek Observer as one of 50 Namibians of Merit under the corporate leadership segment. In 2024, Emilia was named the Young African Leader of the Year by the African Leadership Magazine. This award recognised her for her trailblazing contributions to Africa’s communications sector with reforms and regulatory responsibilities.

Isabelle Mauro is Director General of the Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) that represents the interests of the satellite industry ecosystem. Under Isabelle’s leadership, GSOA and its member CEOs lead the effort to showcase the benefits of satellite communications for a more inclusive, sustainable and secure society – vital to bridging the world’s digital divide, achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the full potential of the 5G & 6G ecosystem.

Isabelle has 25 years’ experience in the Telecoms and Technology sector, starting at the GSMA, where she was responsible for International & External Affairs for fifteen years. In 2015 she moved to New York to join the World Economic Forum as Head of the Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Industry.

Isabelle is passionate about inclusion and sustainability. She is a Commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. She also sits on the Advisory Board of Women in Tech.

Per Beming is currently responsible for all standardization and industry inititives, including open source, for the Ericsson Group.

In previous rolesBemingwas responsible for Radio’s 5G program targeting 5G RAN products and demos, in addition to driving the architecture at Business Area Networks. Beming has beenDirector of RBS Systems at Development Unit Radio, Business Unit Networks.Beming has also held a role of Expert in Radio Access Architecture at Ericsson Research and being the head of Ericsson’s delegation to 3GPP RAN for WCDMA, HSPA and LTE standardization.

Beming joined Ericsson Research 1994 and holds an M.Sc. in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering (1994).

Haji Jailani is the Chief Executive, Authority for Infocommunications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI).

He has 25 years of working experience in the telecommunication industry covering licensing, spectrum management, broadband, numbering, convergence, market access, competition and tariff in the telecommunications market. He was involved in various projects in developing telecommunication infrastructures such as Asia America Gateway Submarine Cable Network, AITI Frequency Management System (AFMS) as well as various regulatory projects such as development of Radio Regulation, development of Spectrum Pricing and Numbering Plan for Brunei Darussalam.

He has leads the team that is responsible for regulatory matters in the telecommunications industry, international as well as on national infrastructure that mainly looks into broadband deployment of both wired and wireless technology, postal services, personal data protection and ICT Industry Development.

Haji Jailani also represents Brunei Darussalam in various international meetings in International Telecommunication Union (ITU), APEC-TEL, ASEAN and Asia-Pacific
Telecommunity (APT) and has been appointed as the chairman, moderator and speaker in local and international meetings and conferences.

Haji Jailani holds Master of Communications Management from Coventry University under the Chevening Scholarship from United Kingdom in collaboration with Cable & Wireless in 2004 and obtained his Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics from University of Glasgow, Scotland in 1999. He also attended Leadership Training Course in National University of Singapore in 2013.

M. Dahirou THIAM occupe, depuis le 31 Mai 2024, le poste de Directeur général de l’Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications et des Postes du Sénégal (ARTP).

En effet, cet ingénieur des télécommunications et homme du sérail, a débuté sa carrière il y’a 20 ans à SONATEL, opérateur historique des Télécommunications au Sénégal.

En tant qu’Ingénieur, Dahirou THIAM a assuré la gestion de la disponibilité et de la qualité du réseau d’accès Radio (RAN) avant de diriger le Service gestion des contrats dans des domaines clés comme le cœur de réseau, la radio, le transport et les plateformes de services.

Auparavant, il est important de rappeler qu’est allé poursuivre ses études à l’école Multinationale des Télécommunications (ESMT) sanctionné par un diplôme de technicien supérieur téléinformatique computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. Par la suite, il a décoché son diplôme d’ingénieur technologue en informatique à l’École Supérieure Polytechnique (ESP) de l’université Cheikh Anta DIOP de Dakar.

Il a poursuivi sa formation en obtenant différentes certifications notamment en Project Management Professional (PMP) délivrée par le Project Management Institute (PMI), basé en Pennsylvanie et une Certification dans le management des services IT à ITIL Foundation in IT Service Management. Ces certifications renforcent ses compétences en management et gestion de projets.

Olivia Trusty was nominated to serve as a Commissioner of the FCC by President Donald J. Trump. She was confirmed by the United States Senate in June 2025.

Prior to joining the Commission, Commissioner Trusty served as a Professional Staff Member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services under the leadership of U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker. She previously served as a Policy Director on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and a Legislative Assistant in the Office of U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker. Before her tenure as a Senate aide, Commissioner Trusty served as a Professional Staff Member on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Congressman Bob Latta. Commissioner Trusty began her career in the private sector.

Commissioner Trusty received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her M.A. from Georgetown University.

20 year + experience in Telecommunications in Engineering, Telecom Regulation/Deregulation, Investments, Sales, Satellite Communications with companies like Intelsat, O3B, EMC, Rascomstar as well as Consultancies with Governments and Regulatory Agencies across Africa.

Main interests are and have been Sustainable and Cost-effective connectivity in challenged markets and environments- and connecting the unconnected.

Currently working on AST SpaceMobile D2D Broadband Market Access and MNO partner deployments in markets across Africa.

– Conseiller Technique du Directeur Général de l’Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC de Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI)
– Présidente du Groupe Consultatif de Développement des Télécommunications (élue en novembre 2025, 1er Africain à ce poste))
– Présidente de la commission d’étude 1 du Secteur du développement de l’UIT (de 2017- octobre 2025, 1er africain au poste)
– Vice-Présidente de la Conférence Mondiale de Développement des Télécommunications (Bakou Novembre 2025)
– Vice-Présidente du Groupe Consultatif pour le développement des Télécommunications (UIT)
– Représentante Afrique du réseau des femmes du secteur de Développement de L’UIT (NoW UIT-D)
– Présidente du bureau préparatoire africain de I ‘Union Africaine des Télécommunications (UAT) pour la Conférence Mondiale de Développement des Télécommunications de I’UIT 2025 Fondatrice
– Fondatrice et Présidente exécutive du Réseau International des Femmes Expertes du Numérique (RIFEN)

Mme Regina Fleur BESSOU cumule plus de 24 ans d’expérience dans le secteur des télécommunications, des TIC et de la Poste. Elle est aujourd’hui Conseiller Technique du Directeur Général de l’Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC de Côte d’Ivoire (ARTCI) chargé de l’inclusion numérique et des Relations internationales.

Leader reconnue sur la scène internationale, elle est élue en novembre 2025 Présidente du Groupe Consultatif de Développement des Télécommunications (GCDT) de l’Union Internationale des Télécommunications (UIT), devenant le premier Africain à accéder à cette fonction. Cette élection marque une avancée historique, consacrant pour la première fois la prise de leadership du continent africain à ce niveau stratégique de gouvernance mondiale du numérique, et un positionnement honorable pour la Côte d’Ivoire.

Elle a également présidé, de 2017 à 2025, la Commission d’Études 1 du Secteur Développement de l’UIT, où elle fut également le premier africain dans ce rôle. En parallèle, elle a servi comme Vice-présidente du GCDT, ainsi que Représentante Afrique au sein du réseau des femmes de l’UIT-Développement (NoW UIT-D). À l’échelle régionale, elle a dirigé le Caucus africain préparatoire pour la Conférence Mondiale de Développement des Télécommunications (CMDT -2025) et joué un rôle central au sein de l’Union Africaine des Télécommunications (UAT) et de l’UIT pour la préparation des grandes conférences internationales.

Engagée en faveur de l’inclusion et du leadership féminin, elle est Fondatrice et Présidente exécutive du Réseau International des Femmes Expertes du Numérique (RIFEN), première organisation féminine à avoir le statut de membre de secteur de l’UIT, dédiée à renforcer la participation des femmes et des jeunes y compris les personnes en situation de handicap dans les instances de décision et de gouvernance du numérique.

En Côte d’Ivoire, elle a piloté des programmes d’accès universel, de connectivité rurale, ainsi que de protection des consommateurs et environnement concurrentiel dans la régulation, contribuant au développement durable du secteur Télécommunications et TIC.
Diplômée en sciences juridiques, administratives et fiscales, titulaire d’un Mastère spécialisé BADGE en Régulation Télécoms/TIC, et en Ingénierie du Genre (UNESCO/EFPOD), elle allie expertise technique, vision stratégique et engagement social. Mme BESSOU est mariée et mère de deux enfants.

As Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Yuliya Shlychkova leads Kaspersky’s relations with government agencies, international organizations, and other stakeholders as well as coordinating Kaspersky’s contribution to public policy initiatives worldwide. In particular, she has represented the company at events under the aegis of the Ad Hoc Committee on cybercrime and the Open-Ended Working Group on ICT, and oversees the company’s participation in public consultations on national initiatives regarding the development and use of AI.

Prior to her current role, Yuliya was responsible for the successful launch of the online cybersecurity expert training platform Kaspersky Xtraining. Online courses have been provided to INTERPOL and other organizations as part of the company’s contribution to capacity-building initiatives.

Before that, she held the position of Deputy PR Director. Under Yuliya’s leadership, a dedicated PR team was formed to support threat research – the bread and butter of the company’s expertise. She organized dozens of Kaspersky international summits and the company’s participation in industry events hosted by INTERPOL and the UN, RSA, MWC, etc. Yuliya contributed to the launch of the Global Transparency Initiative (aimed at highlighting the reliability of Kaspersky solutions and at promoting transparency standards in the cybersecurity industry as a whole) and her team is responsible for developing the program further.

Prior to joining Kaspersky in 2008, Yuliya worked for a number of PR agencies. She graduated from the Russian State University for the Humanities with Honors Degree in Public Relations.

At the helm of the organization, Hadi Anwar shapes the organization’s strategic direction and leads a team of talented cyber experts to empower clients with dynamic, cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.

Driven by a vision to solve the issues that keep business leaders and governments up at night, Hadi leads strategic projects in collaboration with CPX cybersecurity consultants and experts to deliver solutions and services to limit clients’ exposure to cyberthreats.

In his 25-year career, Hadi has amassed a wealth of experience in IT and cybersecurity services across a wide spectrum of industries.

Priot to joining CPX, he was Group Chief Information Officer (Group CIO) at G42, responsible for setting up the IT, cybersecurity, Data Privacy and Business Continuity functions. In addition to providing leadership for the continued development of an innovative and robust IT environment, he provided services related to information security, data privacy, and business continuity across the Group.
Hadi has also served as Head of Information Security, Data Privacy, and Business Continuity/Resilience at NEOM, a US$500 billion mega city project in Saudi Arabia. In this role, he was responsible for the deployment and implementation of critical smart city-related technology, including cybersecurity, data privacy and business continuity controls.

He also played an instrumental role in setting up technology and cybersecurity functions at Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).

Hadi holds a master’s degree in Analysis, Design, and Management of Information Systems from the London School of Economics & Political Science, and a Global Executive MBA from INSEAD.

Maria Cohn is TikTok’s Director of Public Policy Operations for the Middle East, North Africa, Türkiye (MENAT), and Pakistan. She leads the regional team of market leads, setting strategic direction and driving a more systematic and aligned regional public policy strategy to strengthen institutional relationships and coordinate cross-market engagement in support of TikTok’s regional growth and alignment with local policy priorities.

In her role, Maria works closely with internal trust and safety, product, and policy teams, as well as regulators across the region, on issues related to platform governance, user protection, and evolving regulatory frameworks. She brings a policy and operational perspective to how companies engage with governments on topics such as youth safety and age-appropriate experiences.

Maria has nearly 20 years of experience in government relations, public affairs, and strategic communications. She has advised global companies, including major technology firms and businesses in highly regulated sectors, on complex policy, regulatory, and reputation matters. Prior to joining TikTok, she was a Managing Director at FTI Consulting, where she established and led the Public Affairs and Government Relations practice in the Middle East and Africa. She also founded and led Atypsos Advisors.

Maria holds an MBA from Queen Mary University of London and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Kent. A German-Spanish national, she has lived and worked across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and has been based in the United Arab Emirates for the past ten years.

Mr. Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu has been the Chairman of the Board and President of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) of the Republic of Türkiye since August 2018. He was re-appointed for a second term in August 2022 after completing his first 4-year term in this position.

He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1975. He is an Electrical and Electronic Engineer graduated from Eastern Mediterranean University.

Mr. Karagözoğlu worked as a software engineer at Istanbul Water and Sewerage Administration (ISKI) of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) from 2002 to 2004. Between 2004 and 2016, he held various managerial positions at BELBIM, a technology company of IMM.

He served as the Adviser to the Chairman and Board Member of BTK before his appointment.

Dr Milan B. Radulović was born in Nikšić, Montenegro. He received his B.Sc. (study program: Electronics) and M.Sc. (study program: Robotics and Artificial Intelligence) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Montenegro, Montenegro. He received his Ph.D. (research field: Computer Architecture) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Belgrade, Serbia.

He was previously with the University of Montenegro, for over a decade where he was involved both in teaching process and many research and development projects (robotics and artificial intelligence, electronics, telecommunications, computer networks, software development, database, and real-time control systems) at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and University Computer Centre. Also, he was with the University Mediterranean, Montenegro, as a part-time assistant at the Faculty of Information Technology and Faculty of Economics and Business.

He was with Crnogorski Telekom A.D. (member of Deutsche Telekom Group) and Ericsson AB Stockholm Montenegro, for almost two decades, working as RAN/CORE engineer and Voice CORE team leader, respectively. He was involved in operation and maintenance, and development of radio and switching systems for the fixed and mobile network for two national operators, Crnogorski Telekom and m:tel.

He was included in several research projects as Visiting Research Fellow at the Universities abroad such as University of Warwick (UK), University of Granada (Spain), University of Siena (Italy), and EPFL (Switzerland). His current research interests are mainly in electronics, telecommunications, robotics and artificial intelligence, computer architecture (especially chip multiprocessor systems with thread-level speculation support), coherence and speculation protocols, transactional memory, compilers, parallel programming, and real-time system control. In these areas, he published papers in international scientific journals, books, and proceedings of international and domestic conferences. He is the member of HiPEAC (European Network of Excellence on High Performance and Embedded Architecture and Compilation) group.

For the results achieved during his education, work career and scientific research activities, he received several awards from educational institutions, then, from the Municipality of Nikšić, and from the companies he worked with, as well as from domestic and international scientific research institutions and organizations.

On April 18, 2024, he was appointed President of the Council of the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services.

On October 2 and 3, 2025, he was appointed as BEREC Vice-Chair 2026 and IRG Vice-Chair 2026, respectively

He has active knowledge of English, Italian and Spanish, and passive from German and Greek languages.

À la tête de l’Autorité de Régulation des Technologies de Communication (ARTEC), Johanesa ANDRIAMIHAJA pilote la transformation du secteur numérique malgache dans un contexte d’accélération technologique et d’ouverture des marchés.

Manager stratégique, il œuvre à concilier innovation, exigences règlementaires et développement économique avec une ambition claire : faire du numérique un levier structurant de croissance, d’inclusion et de souveraineté pour Madagascar.
Son action s’articule autour de priorités majeures :
• Structurer le développement du secteur à travers des feuilles de route favorisant la gouvernance et l’efficacité opérationnelle de l’ARTEC.
• Développer l’influence de Madagascar, en nouant des partenariats stratégiques avec les instances régionales et internationales (UAT, GSMA)
• Moderniser la régulation, en apportant des réponses concrètes et adaptées aux mutations rapides du numérique

Reconnu pour son approche pragmatique et orientée résultats, il s’attache à bâtir un écosystème numérique résilient, inclusif et compétitif au service du développement durable du pays.

Ms Cynthia Lesufi is the Minister Counsellor representing the South African Mission to the UN Office and other International Organisations. She is a law graduate with a master’s in ICT policy and regulation.

Cynthia is the chairperson of the ITU Council Working Group on WSIS & SDGs, CWG-COP- SG 17 liaison, and the TSAG Associate Rapporteur of RG-DT. She is a seasoned policy and regulatory expert with over 15 years of experience in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Ms Lesufi has had the privilege of being a key member of national delegations to supra-national conferences of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), African Telecommunications Union (ATU), United Nations (UN), and International Telecommunications Union (ITU). Her active participation and leadership in preparing contribution documents, such as South African position papers for developing a global policy framework on emerging technologies, highlight her proactive involvement in shaping global ICT policies. She has also been a panellist for the WISIS Forum 22 session on ICT access and Affordability in Developing Countries for Digital Inclusion, further demonstrating her commitment to digital inclusion.

With a distinguished 20-year career in telecommunications and IT, he stands at the forefront of regulatory innovation and cross-border partnership. His notable achievements include driving digital inclusion, enhancing connectivity, and crafting regulatory frameworks that bolster sustainable development and consumer protection within the ICT sector. At WATRA, his leadership is marked by a commitment to excellence and a visionary approach to navigating the digital transformation challenges and opportunities.

He holds an MSc. in Communication Engineering from the University of Manchester and an MBA from the University of Warwick, complemented by specialized certifications from the Harvard Kennedy School, the University of Cambridge and University of Stockholm in Economic growth, policy-making and ICT regulation respectively : Renowned for strategic acumen and negotiation skills, his focus on global partnerships nurtures WATRA’s mission for regional integration and technological progress.

Sandra Rodríguez leads ESG and B2G strategy at Sateliot, where she works on aligning satellite connectivity with national priorities, public policy and multilateral partnerships. Her background spans UNESCO, international cooperation and government engagement, with a focus on positioning digital infrastructure as an enabler of resilience, inclusion and investable country-led development programmes.

Erdal Arıkan is a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye.

He received his Ph. D. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1985.

His research interests are primarily in error-correcting codes. In recognition of his work on polar coding, he received the 2010 IEEE Information Theory Society Best Paper Award, the 2013 IEEE W. R. G. Baker Award, the 2018 IEEE Hamming Medal, and the 2019 Shannon Award. He is an IEEE Fellow and a member of the Turkish Academy of Sciences.