English only – No interpretation

Overview 

As digital transformation accelerates, regulators require timely, high-quality data to design effective and forward-looking policies. At the same time, measurement frameworks are evolving—from basic connectivity indicators to the broader concept of universal and meaningful connectivity (UMC), encompassing availability, affordability, quality, skills, devices, and safety. 

This shift places new demands on national statistical systems, coordination mechanisms, and the use of innovative data sources. This workshop offers a practical, policy-oriented exchange on how regulators can leverage ICT statistics to inform decision-making, strengthen data ecosystems, and harness new data opportunities. 

Objectives
The workshop aims to:

• Strengthen regulators’ understanding of ICT statistics as a tool for evidence-based decision-making and for advancing universal and meaningful connectivity (UMC);
• Highlight the role of regulators within national data ecosystems, including coordination with national statistical offices and other stakeholders, and showcase practical tools to support policymaking;
• Explore how regulators can enable and leverage emerging data sources, in particular mobile phone data (MPD), while fostering exchange of country experiences and collaboration.

Format
The workshop will be structured around three 40-minute segments, each combining presentations with opportunities for discussion and participant interaction:
1. Leveraging data for evidence-based digital policymaking
2. Strengthening statistical systems through coordination and partnerships
3. Harnessing mobile phone data for official statistics: the role of regulators

English Only – no interpretation

To strengthen engagement and build strong relations with ITU-D Membership, the Director of BDT has launched the Know Your Members Series, by holding one on one sessions with ITU-D Sector Members and ITU Academia. Taking place during GSR-26, the Know Your Members session, will be informal, two-way, and provide an opportunity for an exchange of information and strengthening relations with the Membership.

Objective:

The Know Your Members series has been conceptualised to provide personalized and targeted opportunities for membership to share views openly and freely with the BDT Director on their participation in the work of the ITU-D and make suggestions, as necessary.

• Provide the Director of BDT with an opportunity to update the ITU-D Sector Members on ongoing and future work, and partnership opportunities.
• Gather suggestions on how to strengthen participation in ITU-D’s work.
• Get to know partners at a more personal level and the specificity of their community and address their needs.
• Use this platform to ensure retention and satisfaction of current members and encourage them in the recruitment of new members.

Session Format:
This Know Your Members session will be held physically (English only). The session will run as follows:

• Welcoming remarks by the BDT Director.
• Update on ongoing work in BDT and opportunities which are of interest to the ITU-D Members.
• ITU-D Sector Members updates on ongoing initiatives and expression of interest on the ongoing and planned BDT work.
• Open conversation on how to strengthen collaboration.
• Concluding remarks.

English only – No interpretation

The Executive Masterclass will be focused on two powerful ITU tools that support evidence‑based connectivity planning and investment decision‑making: the Connectivity Planning Platform (CPP) and the Global Economic Model Study (GEMS).
This hands‑on session will equip participants with practical insights into how these tools work together to guide strategic infrastructure deployment and quantify its socio‑economic impact.

Connectivity Planning Platform (CPP): Planning what to build and where
CPP is an open-source, cloud-based planning and analytics platform designed to support governments. regulators and partners in planning, prioritising, and accelerating broadband and digital infrastructure deployment, and enabling more coherent, evidence-based decision-making across stakeholders. It provides a central infrastructure and connectivity platform to plan, visualise and analyse national connectivity goals into data-driven decisions.

During the Masterclass, participants will explore how CPP can:
• Visualise existing infrastructure;
• Identify real connectivity gaps;
• Estimate the cost of expanding coverage to underserved areas;
• Assess and compare different technology options.
• Model investment scenarios, including ROI and NPV
• Simulate infrastructure scenarios using reliable geospatial and cost data

Global Economic Model Study (GEMS): Understanding why it matters
GEMS builds on CPP outputs by adding an economic and social impact layer. It translates connectivity scenarios into measurable outcomes, helping policymakers understand the broader implications of their investment choices. The GEMS economic modelling tool capable of analyzing investment returns in network infrastructure at a regional, national or local level.

Participants will learn how GEMS can:
• Use outputs to shape broadband plans and engage development partners (Multilateral Banks, Development Agencies);
• Compare the investments and returns associated with different technology solutions (e.g., wired, wireless);
• Find the optimal solution for each area of the country (urban, suburban, rural);
• Explore satellite backup options for rural areas;
• Analyze the optimal policies to make investments possible.

Through a guided country case and simulations, the Masterclass will demonstrate how scenarios designed in CPP can be run through GEMS to assess their impact, for example, the effect of extending broadband to rural areas.

A powerful decision‑support combination

Together, CPP and GEMS provide end‑to‑end insight:
• CPP shows what infrastructure is needed and where.
• GEMS shows why these investments matter for people, the economy, and society.

This unique combination supports data‑driven connectivity strategies and helps regulators, policymakers, operators and other stakeholders make informed decisions.

(This pre-event is by invitation only for regional regulatory associations, regional organisations and regulatory authorities)

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
    • Mr Marko Mišmaš, Chair IRG and BEREC and RA/DRN meeting Chair, Director Agency for Communication Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia (AKOS)
• 9h10-9h20 Presentation on the progress of the ITU Initiative “Digital Regulation Network (DRN) – A collaborative network of networks”
• 9h20-10h20 Discussion and interventions from the Regional Regulatory Associations
  • RAs activities and experiences
  • Considering the GSR-26 BPG on “Regulatory governance essentials”, how can regional, subregional and international cooperation strengthen effectiveness in cross-border digital ecosystems?

• 10:20-10:30 way forward
• 10:30 Closing and photo

Digital markets are moving faster than most rulemaking cycles, while expectations on regulators are expanding. The discussion will focus on how to create clear, outcome-focused frameworks that keep pace with technological change, enable responsible growth, and lower unnecessary barriers to market entry, investment, and digital adoption.

• GSR-26 Best Practice Guidelines presentation and adoption
• Interactive high-level dialogue

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.

Concept note and programme

The gala dinner will be held on May 13th at 7:00 PM at the “Vakıf Ankara Ballroom and Congress Center“.
Shuttle service will be provided from the event venue to the gala dinner and from the gala dinner back to the official hotels.
Address: Erler Mahallesi Dumlupınar Bulvarı No: 340 Eskişehir Yolu / Ankara (Opposite Gordion Shopping Mall)
Delegates wishing to travel by metro can get off at the “Çayyolu” station (M2 Metro Line), which is a short walk away.

More information “ here “

This high-level segment will explore how policies, regulatory frameworks, businesses and governance mechanisms can evolve in line with the Baku Declaration to ensure societies are ready for what’s next in the digital era

• How can policymakers and regulators anticipate the evolution of the sector driven by AI and prepare for the next wave of disruptive digital technologies such as 6G, space, quantum, etc.?
• Are current governance and regulatory frameworks agile enough to respond to rapid innovation, the race for spectrum and global digital convergence?
• How to shape coherent and inclusive approaches to transformative tech and AI governance
• How to strengthen multistakeholder collaboration to ensure an inclusive and responsible digital future for all?

This session will explore how forward-looking and data-driven regulatory frameworks can unlock the benefits of emerging technologies while managing related risks.

• The evolving role of regulators: how to strike a balance between innovation and oversight?
• What data governance and cross-border data protection frameworks best support innovation and protect users?
• What role for regulators in supporting data collection (data gaps) and promote transparency, accountability, and empowering consumers in decision-making processes in an AI and emerging technologies environment?
• What collaborative approaches can help address cybersecurity, privacy, and digital risks?

This interactive session of the Network of Women (NoW) in ITU-D will convene women delegates, regulators, and policymakers to explore how inclusive and gender-responsive approaches can help navigate the digital frontier. In line with the GSR-26 theme, participants will exchange experiences on regulatory pathways that foster resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital ecosystems, including in emerging areas such as AI governance and digital innovation.
Through facilitated peer discussions and practical exchange, the session will examine strategies to strengthen women’s leadership and influence in regulatory decision-making, while identifying opportunities to embed inclusion across evolving digital policy frameworks. The session will reinforce peer learning and networking among women delegates at GSR-26 and support their continued engagement and visibility in shaping an inclusive digital future.

This session explores how experimentation can strengthen regulatory capacity, foster digital innovation ecosystem, and ensure public trust in an era of rapid technological change.

• How can regulators create safe spaces for experimentation (e.g., sandboxes, test beds, etc.) while maintaining accountability and consumer protection?
• How can ICT regulators leverage data, foresight, and emerging technologies to enhance regulatory agility and responsiveness?
• What mechanisms can ensure that experimentation translates into long-term policy?
• Is regional regulatory experimentation an option?
• The impact of regulatory sandboxes on fostering satellite and AI innovations
• How can regulators and industry players co-create to enhance regulatory excellence?

This session will explore the regulatory, strategic and technical approaches to strengthening the digital backbone of national economies.

• How to achieve digital sovereignty while maintaining openness, interoperability, and collaboration at the global and regional levels?
• What regulatory and investment approaches are needed to develop resilient and secure digital infrastructure, including data centers and cloud ecosystems?
• What regulatory measures can strengthen cyber resilience and protect critical infrastructure, including terrestrial and non-terrestrial, from emerging digital threats?
• How can policymakers and industry work together to make digital infrastructure sustainable, energy-efficient and circular?
• What role for public-private collaboration and partnerships?

As the demand for ubiquitous, high-quality connectivity grows, sharing has become a strategic imperative. This session will examine sharing across networks, borders, platforms, and technologies to accelerate inclusive and sustainable network deployment.

• How can physical infrastructure integration and sharing (towers, fibre, satellite and terrestrial networks, energy, etc.) enhance efficiency and reduce deployment costs?
• What frameworks are needed to enable cross-border infrastructure sharing?
• Spectrum sharing: how to balance the needs of terrestrial networks, satellite operators, and emerging services? What regulatory approaches are needed to foster innovation and fair access among stakeholders?
• What incentives or mechanisms can promote co-investment in network deployment, especially in underserved or rural areas?
• How can sharing approaches contribute to network resilience, affordability, and environmental sustainability?

This session will examine policy, regulatory and industry led approaches to building all youth confidence, safety and trust in navigating digital applications and services.

• What types of policy approaches and regulatory responses contribute to empowering and protecting child and all youth, including those in vulnerable situation, from online harm?
• What role for regulators in supporting the developing digital skills, media literacy and critical thinking of youth?
• Public-private collaborative approaches: can code of conducts contribute to ensuring safety and privacy by design?
• How to address systemic biases on youth consumer online behaviours?

This session will explore the role of technologies for disaster management and to build more resilient and inclusive early warning systems, with a focus on regulation and multistakeholder collaboration.

• How to use regulation and foster multistakeholder collaboration to take advantage of technologies for disaster management and more inclusive and resilient early warning systems?
• How to use transformative tech and services such as AI and satellite direct to devices to enhance disaster resilience and network continuity during crises?
• Understanding the role of regulatory authorities
• How Common Alerting Protocols (CAP) and Cell Broadcast Regulations Contribute to Saving Lives?

This session will discuss how to unlock investment through innovative business models, targeted incentives, sustainability-linked financing, and the use of public seed funds to attract private capital and build investors’ confidence.

• What innovative business and financing models can accelerate digital transformation while ensuring long-term sustainability and inclusion?
• What economic and regulatory incentives have been put in place at the national level to attract investments in emerging areas such as AI, cloud infrastructure, green data centres, and digital public goods?
• How can ESG principles and sustainability-linked financing drive investment in digital infrastructure and innovation?
• How can public funding, blended finance, or development funds act as seed money to attract private sector investment? From Universal service funds to digital funds? Country experiences
• How to build investors’ confidence, reduce risk and attract greater investment in digital infrastructure and innovation?