Members
Digital Regulation Network (DRN) Board Members
The DRN Board serves as the leadership authority for this initiative, dedicated to accelerating sustainable digital transformation. It aims to achieve this through unified approaches to collaborative digital policy, regulation, and governance across the various economic sectors and international borders.
The Board comprises five Members who serve on a pro bono basis for a two-year term. Members are selected based on their commitment, with consideration given to gender balance and regional representation.
Board
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava took office as Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) at the International Telecommunication 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.
Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)
Eng. Omar Abdulrahman Alrejraje
Omar is a distinguished telecommunications and regulatory expert with over 18 years of experience in regulation, telecommunications, competition policy, marketing, sales, and international partnerships. His expertise spans both the telecom industry and regulatory sectors, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping policies that promote fair competition, foster investment, and enhance market efficiency.
As Deputy Governor of the Regulation and Competition Sector, Alrejraje has led comprehensive regulatory reforms that have enhanced competition, improved service quality, facilitated market entry for new telecom operators, and expanded consumer choices. His leadership has been instrumental in modernizing licensing frameworks, strengthening regulatory oversight, and driving digital transformation initiatives to support the growth of the ICT sector.
In addition to his regulatory expertise, Alrejraje has extensive experience in telecom industry operations, having worked in leading telecom companies in various strategic roles. His insights into industry challenges and market dynamics have enabled him to bridge the gap between regulators and service providers, ensuring that regulatory frameworks align with industry best practices while fostering innovation and sustainable growth. Alrejraje has also played a key role in international collaborations and policy discussions, representing the sector in global forums and advocating for policies. His contributions have helped shape a progressive and investment-friendly telecom landscape.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and is recognized for his strategic leadership, regulatory expertise, and commitment to fostering a competitive and evolving ICT ecosystem.
Mr Petros Galides
Petros Galides is the Deputy Commissioner of the Cyprus Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services and the Digital Security Authority. He serves as the EMERG Chair 2024 and has served as ERGP Chair 2023.
He holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an MBA from the London Business School. Petros has extensive experience in the postal, electronic communications, and cybersecurity regulation sectors, as well as in both the service and manufacturing sectors. He has served on several company boards, performed consulting work, co-authored pioneering published papers, and held key positions in private, public, and international companies before being appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2013.
Ms Ekaterine Imedadze
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.
Ms Imedadze has over 15 years of professional experience in telecommunications with a global perspective. Ms Imedadze 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).
She speaks Georgian, English, German and Russian.
Ms Margarita Lizania Pérez
Lizania Perez is a Telematics Engineer, graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in the Dominican Republic; she is also Specialist in System Information Management, title obtained at the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC). In addition, she made a specialty in Telecommunications Economics and Regulation at the International University Iberoamericana of Puerto Rico. She has completed two master’s degrees, the first in Management of Telecommunications and Information Technologies at the Industrial Organization School (EOI) in Madrid, Spain and the Second was a master’s degree in Cybersecurity, held at Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC).
She held various positions at the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), a body regulator of the telecommunications sector in the Dominican Republic, assuming roles as an IT professional at the Information and communication technologies Department; also held the position as Specialist Engineer in Telecommunications Regulation and Defense of the Competition Department and finally assumed as Engineer of the Cybersecurity, Commerce Electronic and Digital Signature Department. She has worked as a Cybersecurity coordinator in other private sector entities and currently holds the position of Executive Secretary in the Telecommunications Regional Technical Commission (COMTELCA) (COMTELCA), specialized agency of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
Congo (Republic of the)
Mr Louis-Marc Sakala
Louis Marc SAKALA, Directeur Général de l’Agence de Régulation des Postes et des Communications Électroniques (ARPCE) du Congo, est Chevalier dans l’Ordre du Mérite Congolais. Ingénieur en Informatique & Génie des télécommunications (ESIGETEL), Spécialisation : Radiocommunication-mobile, il est titulaire d’un MBA -Exécutive de l’université PARIS DAUPHINE.
Il débute sa carrière professionnelle en 2007 chez European Aeronautic Defence and Space company (EADS)- AIRBUS DEFENSE à Élancourt en tant qu’Ingénieur Système, avant de rejoindre THALES Communication France en qualité d’Ingénieur Système Intégration Validation.
En 2010, il rentre au Congo pour assumer les fonctions de Responsable du Service Gestion du Spectre des Fréquences, au sein de l’ARPCE. Deux ans plus tard, il est promu Conseiller Technique du Directeur Général de l’ARPCE et Responsable des Opérateurs et Prestataires. En 2018, il est nommé Directeur des Réseaux et Services de Communications Électroniques, avant de prendre la Direction Générale de l’ARPCE en 2020. Dynamique et très dévoué, Louis-Marc SAKALA a activement participé à la mise en œuvre et à l’aboutissement des projets majeurs de l’ARPCE.
Président Exécutif de l’ARTAC depuis 2022, il assume aussi la Vice-Présidence de Fratel.
DRN Board Members mission
The DRN Initiative aims to accelerate sustainable digital transformation through common approaches to collaborative digital policy, regulation, and governance across economic sectors and borders, working directly with Regional Regulatory Associations (RAs) and their members across the globe.
The mission of the Digital Regulation Network (DRN) Board is to provide expertise, knowledge, and guidance to ensure the effective implementation of the initiative’s main building blocks.
Board Member Responsibilities
Board Members are expected to actively engage in the work of the Digital Regulation Network initiative throughout the year by carrying out the following responsibilities:
- Attend at least one physical Board meeting per year and participate in inter-sessional work, including online discussions and virtual meetings. If unable to attend physical meetings, Board Members should make every effort to participate online.
- Advise the DRN on strategic matters in relation with the defined DRN priority activities and workplan and provide feedback and exchange of views on its overall strategic direction.
- Share expertise, experiences, and ideas on the aim and main building blocks of the DRN Initiative.
- Help coordinate effective programmes and interventions that foster meaningful connectivity and digital transformation globally.
- Approve the composition and the Terms of Reference of expert panels and/or working groups to support the work of the DRN Initiative.
- Engage in advocacy at the regional and international level to disseminate lessons learned and the achievements of the work of the DRN Initiative and its members.
- Amplify the message and the work of the DRN through their respective RA own members and networks, platforms and social media channels.
- Act as goodwill ambassadors promoting programmes and projects designed by the DRN Initiative as well as GSR Best Practice Guidelines.
- Uphold high standards of integrity, ethical behaviour, and professional conduct in carrying out their duties related to the work of the Board.
The Board meetings are conducted in English and follow pre-approved agendas prepared jointly by the Secretariat and the Board prior to each meeting. Board meetings take place twice a year, with at least one being conducted in person.
Periodic virtual updates will be provided to brief the Board as necessary. The Secretariat will prepare and share regular reports and updates with the Board throughout the year.
Decision-making shall be by consensus, allowing each member an equal voice.
The Board is composed of the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), and 5 Board members (ICT Regional Regulatory Association Executive Secretaries/Chairs/Vice-Chairs, select NRA Chairs as proposed by RAs).
The Board composition will ensure diversity and regional representation in its membership.
The Board may set up Working Groups to prepare reports on specific projects and thematic issues. The BDT will provide a Secretariat to serve the Board.
Board members shall be appointed for an initial two-year term, with the possibility of renewal. Board members participate in their individual expert capacity and represent their associations.
Board members will serve on a pro bono basis. They shall not receive any honorarium, fee, or other remuneration from ITU or the DRN Initiative.
Regional Regulatory Associations
• Association of Communications and Telecommunications Regulators of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (ARCTEL-CPLP)• Arab Regulators Network of telecommunications and information technologies (AREGNET)
• The Association of Regulators of Information and Communications for Eastern and Southern Africa (ARICEA)
• Assemblée des Régulateurs des Télécommunications de l'Afrique Centrale (ARTAC)
• Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC)
• Comisión Técnica Regional de Telecomunicaciones (COMTELCA)
• Communications Regulators’ Association of Southern Africa (CRASA)
• Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU)
• Eastern Partnership Electronic Communications Regulators Network (EaPeReg)
• Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL)
• Euro-Mediterranean Telecom Regulators (EMERG)
• Réseau Francophone de la Régulation des Télécommunications (FRATEL)
• Independent Regulators Group (IRG)
• Regional Commonwealth in the Field of Communications (RCC)
• Foro Latinoamericano de Entes Reguladores de Telecomunicaciones (REGULATEL)
• South Asian Telecommunication Regulators' Council (SATRC)
• West Africa Telecommunications Regulators’ Association (WATRA)