Agenda

 Valeria Betancourt led APC's policy work from 2010 to 2022 as manager of the Communications and Information Policy Programme. She is currently leading APC’s global governance and serves as a member of the Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Group. She is a longtime activist in the fields of human rights and the internet, digital technologies for development, digital inclusion and internet governance in the context of the global South. In 2013 and 2015, Valeria was awarded a LACNIC Outstanding Achievement Award and a FRIDA Programme Recognition for contributing to the development of internet policies. Her background is in sociology and political science. She holds a Master's degree in cultural studies and communication. She is Ecuadorian but currently lives in Spain.

H.E. Mr. Sidali Zerrouki is the current Minister of Post and Telecommunications of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. A telecom executive, innovation strategist, and serial entrepreneur, he has held several high-level CxO positions across the ICT and digital sectors, bringing over 20 years of experience at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and public leadership. 
Before assuming ministerial responsibilities, Minister Zerrouki was a key architect of Algeria’s startup ecosystem, where he played a transformative role in scaling national innovation platforms, launching funding mechanisms, and boosting regional competitiveness. As a founding force behind several strategic initiatives, he redefined the entrepreneurial landscape in Algeria, paving the way for a generation of innovators and digital creators. 
Minister Zerrouki is an IT engineer by training, holding a Master’s degree from Sorbonne University and an MBA from Paris Dauphine University. His academic and operational background allows him to bridge technological insight with policy execution, positioning Algeria as a regional leader in telecom modernization, digital inclusion, and sovereign infrastructure. 
Under his leadership, Algeria has accelerated the rollout of national fiber-optic coverage, initiated 5G deployment, established AI and cybersecurity skill centers, and introduced regulatory frameworks for digital trust and data protection. Minister Zerrouki is currently leading Algeria’s strategic engagement in regional and multilateral digital cooperation, including its active contribution to shaping the African Union’s Digital Transformation Agenda and advancing the principles of the WSIS process toward inclusive, secure, and future-ready digital societies. 

Mark-Alexandre DOUMBA has been the Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation of the Republic of Gabon since May 2025, after previously serving as Minister of Economy and Participations.
A specialist in digital transformation, finance, development, and investment, he has led initiatives across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

He holds degrees from George Washington University, the London School of Economics, and the Harvard Kennedy School. In 2025, he was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

 Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Bulgaria 
Dimitar Nedyalkov has over 15 years of experience in the management of private and state-owned companies in the field of transport and logistics. 
He was member of the parliament in the 47th and 48th National Assembly. He was elected Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Communications. He was a member of the Committee on Economic Policy and Innovation; the Committee on labour, social and demographic policy, as well as the Committee on the direct participation of citizens and interaction with civil society. 
As executive director of Free Zone - Ruse EAD, specialized in international transport and logistics, he was responsible for the interaction with international clients. He was Deputy Executive Director of "IRIS" AD with the portfolio of international investment management. 
Dimitar Nedyalkov holds a master's degrees in "International Transport and Logistics" and "Production Management" at the Vienna University of Economics, Austria. 
He speaks English, German and Russian. 

Eng. Mohamed Shamroukh serves as the Executive President of the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) of Egypt since 15 April 2024.
He was the Senior Vice President of Telecom Egypt for financial affairs since 2017. His experience in the executive management of Telecom Egypt comes up to more than 20 years, namely in technical, operational, strategic and financial areas within the organization.
During his time in Telecom Egypt, Eng. Shamroukh’s set out and developed the financial strategy of the company to adapt with the organization’s fully-fledged transformation. He played a major role in devisingthe first long-term strategy for  Telecom Egypt as well as an action plan for the organization including the license to provide mobile services.
Furthermore, Eng. Shamroukh helped maximize the utilization of the organization’s investing assets, securing future revenues as well as restructuring and reinforcing financial operations to become more flexible and cope with the ongoing developments. His efforts also contributed to enhance the organization’s capital to achieve agility and encounter challenges at the financial level. He also established procedures to support and save operational costs, and consequently launch cost-rationalization initiatives.
Eng. Shamroukh also represented Telecom Egypt in the board of companies such as “Vodafone Egypt”, “WE Data” and “Xceed.”
He holds an MBA Degree from IESE and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering and Electrical Telecommunications from Cairo University.

Ms. DIOP Blondin Ndeye Fatou NDIAYE is a recognized expert in the field of information technologies, communications, and digital development. 
From 2010 to 2013, she served as Chairperson of the Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Posts (ARTP), where she worked to expand universal access to telecommunications services, regulate the postal sector, and standardize communication protocols. She continued her international career as a consultant for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), where she led projects such as MDiabète, a text-message-based awareness initiative on non-communicable diseases in Senegal.
She has also held executive roles, including as General Manager of Monétis (2017–2021), a company specializing in banking and payment services in West Africa, and at INPIAF (International Political Intellency for Africa), where she supported the implementation of public digital policies based on artificial intelligence.
Since July 2024, she has been the Coordinator of the FDSUT (Universal Service Fund for Telecommunications Development), overseeing the connectivity of underserved areas (“white zones”) and promoting digital inclusion nationwide.
On the political and social fronts, Ms. DIOP Blondin is deeply involved. A departmental councilor in Mbour since 2022, she chairs the Transport and Infrastructure Commission. She is also president of the JAPALANTE MBOUR DEVELOPMENT association (since 2018), which supports women’s groups through training, literacy, and entrepreneurship programs. Since 2023, she has also led AFED (Alliance of Women for Equity and Development), advocating for greater representation of women in decision-making bodies.
Gifted with strong management skills and proven expertise in project management, service marketing, and operational English, Ms. DIOP Blondin blends technical know-how, social commitment, and strategic leadership. 

Kurt Erik “Kurtis” Lindqvist is a seasoned technology executive and business leader who became President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) on 5 December 2024. With more than 30 years of experience in engineering and business development of Internet service providers, Internet Exchange Points, and global network carriers, Lindqvist has dedicated his career to advancing the stability, security, and accessibility of the Internet.
Prior to joining ICANN, Lindqvist served as CEO of the London Internet Exchange (LINX), a leading operator of worldwide interconnection services, from 2019 to 2024. Prior to this, he was CEO of Netnod from 2002 to 2015. Lindqvist also chaired the European Internet Exchange Association (Euro-IX) from 2003 to 2020, which underscores his long-standing leadership in Internet infrastructure organizations.
Lindqvist has been a leading voice in Internet governance (IG) and technical development. He served on the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) and led working groups within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and RIPE, where his efforts helped shape critical Internet standards and policies. Additionally, he has advised the Swedish government on IG, broadband policy, and other key areas, fostering collaboration between public and private sectors.
Lindqvist studied Computer Science at Uppsala University, Sweden, and holds an Executive MBA from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland.