The Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-25), hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from August 31 to September 3, 2025, wrapped up with the unveiling of new Best Practice Guidelines. Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the event brought together regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to discuss how digital transformation is reshaping markets, economies, and societies.
A New Mandate for Regulators in the Digital Era
In his foreword, Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, highlighted that regulators must move beyond simply managing change in telecom and ICT markets. Instead, they must become ecosystem builders, shaping inclusive and resilient digital environments.
He described the GSR-25 Guidelines as a “timely and practical direction” for regulators ready to lead in building future-ready digital economies.
Key Areas of the GSR-25 Best Practice Guidelines
The newly released guidelines focus on five strategic areas:
1. Fostering Innovation in Regulatory Approaches
- Promote pilot projects and regulatory sandboxes.
- Adopt agile frameworks and use foresight tools such as horizon scanning.
- Encourage light-touch rules that nurture innovation.
2. Adapting and Enhancing Regulatory Capacity
- Expand regulators’ mandates to reflect digital convergence.
- Invest in human and financial resources.
- Strengthen cross-sectoral coordination and evidence-based decision-making.
Leveraging Emerging Technologies for Regulatory Excellence
- Integrate AI, big data, IoT, and blockchain into regulatory oversight.
- Enhance compliance monitoring and transparency.
- Institutionalize experimentation through sandboxes and living labs.
4. Strengthening Cross-Border Cooperation
- Boost collaboration on spectrum management, AI governance, data protection, and cybersecurity.
- Adopt shared standards and promote interoperability-by-design.
- Expand open data initiatives for inclusive growth.
5. The Way Forward
- Position regulation as a lever for responsible innovation and economic growth.
- Ensure inclusivity by prioritizing the needs of underserved groups, SMEs, and local innovators.
- Align regulatory decisions with socio-economic development goals.
A Global Call for Inclusive and Future-Ready Digital Ecosystems
The GSR-25 Guidelines emphasize that regulators are no longer just rule-setters; they must be digital ecosystem builders. This means fostering public trust, ensuring that no one is left behind, and driving sustainable digital development worldwide.
The ITU stressed that the guidelines are informed by real-world regulatory experiences and broad global consultation. They are intended to serve as a practical toolkit for regulators as they confront challenges brought by rapid digital transformation.
