برنامج كامل

Monday, 05 June 2023

09:30 – 11:00
Siwa & Citadel

Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues and Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers’ (IAGDI-CRO) meeting

This session discussed the complex regulatory and business landscape which is shaping our digital future:

What are the main regulatory challenges and opportunities of this decade impacting the way industry operates in relation to:
- Spectrum
- Cross-border data
- New regulatory instruments such as sandboxes
Applying the lens of sustainability, what economic incentives and frameworks can be set by governments, policymakers and regulators to accelerate the sustainable transition of the ICT sector?
Do we need cross-border industry collaboration on regulation to ensure consistency, predictability and fluidity of digital markets and catalyze the deployment of region-wide and global digital infrastructure?

Format:

The meeting heared from a panel of thought leaders who shared experiences, best practices and concrete proposals followed by discussions which were compiled in the Industry Outcome Statement.

Industry Outcome Statement:

IAGDI-CRO addressed critical questions and proposed ways forward, from the industry’s perspective, on concrete business and regulatory issues and digital strategies that foster digital transformation and an enabling ecosystem for inclusive, relevant, and sustainable connectivity in a digital economy. IAGDI-CRO participants agreed on an Outcome Statement which was shared by the IAGDI-CRO Chair at GSR’s closure ceremony.

Opening remarks

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
BDT Director, ITU

Biography
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.

Moderator

Mr Bocar Ba
IAGDI-CRO Chairman, CEO Samena Telecommunications Council and Broadband Commission Commissioner

Biography
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

For over 30 years, Bocar BA has been delivering impact in the Telecom/ICT industry of the MEA region, facilitating collaboration among private-sector and government sector entities in the pursuit of digitization and socio-economic conducive policies. BA’s professional engagement is recognized in industry-wide advocacy activities, especially toward promoting investment sustainability in the private sector of the Middle East. His innate people-centric approach has mobilized multiple consensus-building platforms, cross-regional stakeholders, and issue-specific advocacy on important sector-development challenges. He is collaborating with leading platforms and global telecommunications development institutions, including the ITU, UN Broadband Commission, the World Bank (WB), and World Economic Forum (WEF), among others, as an objective-minded representative of the private sector and as an advocate of effective policy-making and future-friendly regulation, which are crucial for fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that all nations across the globe have agreed to in the larger interest of their socio-economic development needs. BA is a principal advisor to various business, investment, and regulatory entities and assists governments in addressing matters relating to digital infrastructure investment, innovation catalysts, sustainable digital economy, job-creation, and citizen-centric public-sector delivery through the use of ICTs. Bocar BA has chaired consensus-building and contributed to the development of recommendations for leaders worldwide to help accelerate digital infrastructure development and digitalization. 

Speakers

Ms Lele Modise
Group Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer (CLRO), MTN Group

Biography
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.

Ms Isabelle Mauro
Director General, GSOA

Biography
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, managing the portfolio of over 60 Tech companies globally and leading initiatives on inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

Isabelle is passionate about inclusion and sustainability. She is a Commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. Isabelle is also Member of the Advisory Board of Access Partnership and of the High-Level Advisory Board of the DigitalGoesGreen Foundation. She also sits on the Advisory Board of Women in Tech.

Isabelle holds an MSc in European Politics and Policy from the London School of Economics. She is fluent in French, English, Italian and Spanish.

Mr Cécil Ameil
Director for Regulatory Affairs, responsible for market access, policy and spectrum advocacy in Europe, Africa and Middle East, SES

Biography
Cécil Ameil is Director for Regulatory Affairs, responsible for market access, policy and spectrum advocacy in Europe, Africa and Middle East for the satellite communications leader SES.

SES is a European satellite company uniquely operating two constellations of satellites to deliver a large portfolio of state-of-the-art and sustainable connectivity solutions around the world. As a representative of SES, Cécil has long been a key interlocutor of government officials and regulators to contribute to the evolution of legislations and spectrum policies applicable to satellite communications in the EMEA region, in a context of outstanding business developments for the satellite sector in 5G, Cloud and the connectivity of mobile (aeronautical and maritime) platforms. Cecil is also in charge of ensuring the effective compliance of SES video and data operations to regulations in the EMEA region.

Cécil Ameil is the chairman of the regulatory working group in GSOA (Global Satellite Operators Association). In this capacity, he represents the interests of the sector in Europe, Africa and Middle East towards national regulators and regional bodies including the EU, the CEPT, the African Telecom Union (ATU) and the ITU. This includes the coordination of the satellite sector’s efforts to defend access to, and usage of, essential radio spectrum at regional and ITU levels for the preparation of World Radiocommunications Conferences.

Looking back at 30 years of experience in dealing with regulatory affairs, Cécil Ameil is specialised in digital regulations for media and telecommunications. Cécil joined SES in 1998, reporting to the General Counsel.

A French national living in Belgium, Cécil is married and the father of 3 boys. He performs theatre and music as amateur.

Mr Amir Al-Gibreen
Group Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer, STC

Biography
Mr. Algibreen has over 27 years of experience in the field of ICT, specializing in Regulatory and Compliance with versatile experience in strategic planning, market and competition analysis, national and international ICT laws, regulations and policies development and compliance with a background in project management, sales, marketing and business development. Currently he is stc’s Group Chief Regulatory Affairs and Compliance leading regulatory and compliance activities for/within the group dealing with Government and Regulatory bodies in KSA and supporting stc subsidiaries in this domain. He worked for a duration of 16 years at CST (previously known as CITC the Saudi ICT regulator) in several positions leading major national projects, strategies, initiatives, several national and international committees. Moreover, held several positions in AT&T and Lucent Technologies in Public Affairs, Sales & Marketing and Business Development. Also was awarded a full scholarship from Lucent Technologies to The George Washington University in Washington DC and obtained a Master of Science degree in Project Management.

Ms Rawiya Rahming
General Counsel, Cable Bahamas Limited, Bahamas (Commonwealth of the)

Biography
Rawiya Hanna-Rahming holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, USA, and earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1999. She was licensed to practice law in the State of Florida, USA, in 2000 and was called to The Bahamas Bar in 2001.

Ms. Hanna-Rahming joined Cable Bahamas as Vice President of Legal & Regulatory for the Cable Bahamas Group of Companies in 2021, with responsibility and oversight for the Legal and Regulatory Affairs for the Group. Ms. Hanna-Rahming also serves Corporate Secretary for the Group.

Ms. Hanna-Rahming came to Cable Bahamas with over two decades of legal and regulatory experience, serving the vast majority of that time in Senior Management and Executive roles in large multi-national corporations.

Before transitioning fully into the financial services and regulatory sector, Ms. Hanna-Rahming practiced with A.D. Hanna & Co., one of the most established law practices in The Bahamas, founded by the Most Honourable Arthur Dion Hanna O.N., her late grandfather, where she gained a wealth of experience in civil, commercial, and criminal practice before all courts in The Bahamas.

Ms. Hanna-Rahming is a keen supporter of the arts, a voracious reader, and the proud mother of two sons.

Mr Kalpak Gude
Head of Domestic Regulatory Affairs, Project Kuiper, Amazon

Biography
Kalpak Gude is the Head of Domestic Regulatory Affairs for Project Kuiper at Amazon. Prior to Amazon, Mr. Gude was General Counsel at Swarm Technologies and President of the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance trade association. He has also had senior roles in the U.S. government at the FCC and U.S. Senate, as well as in industry at OneWeb, Intelsat and PanAmSat.

Ms Caroline Mbugua
HSC, Director, Public Policy, Sub Saharan Africa, GSMA

Biography
Caroline Mbugua HSC has a passion for realising a digital Africa. She is the Director Public Policy Sub, Saharan Africa, at the GSMA, she holds a Head of State Commendation from the president of the Republic of Kenya in recognition of the contribution she has made in shaping the ICT landscape in Kenya.

At the GSMA, she leads the development of industry policy positions and implementation of the same through Government Relations in Sub-Saharan Africa aimed at shaping the digital transformation agenda in the region.

She has over 17 years of experience in the Telecommunication industry, with a strong command of various key issues such as digital inclusion, financial inclusion, data privacy and protection, spectrum management, and competition among others.

Caroline holds an MBA from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, a Public Policy certification from the London School of Economics and Political Science and is an alumnus of Strathmore Business School, Public Policy Executive Program.

Mr Tymoteusz Kurpeta
Partner and Managing Director, EMEA, Welchman Keen

Biography
Tym heads Welchman Keen’s Market Access & Regulatory Affairs practice, with over 10 years of experience in market access. Prior to this, he helmed the market access practice at a leading global technology advisory firm. Tym is passionate about driving positive change in policy and regulation worldwide, and supports technology clients in creating effective market access campaigns. He is particularly interested in promoting cooperation across international and regional organisations in advancing global connectivity. Tym holds a Master’s degree in International Law from the University of Lodz, and professional certificates from the University of Cambridge and Columbia Business School.

Redsea & Sinai

Regional Regulatory Associations Meeting

The Regional Regulatory Associations Meeting provides a unique platform for Regulatory Associations (RA) to share experiences and knowledge, to discuss how they can collaborate, and to identify means to bring affordable, safe, secure, and trusted connectivity and online access and use to people in their respective regions.

Agenda

Opening remarks
Presentation on ITU Initiative “Digital Regulation Network (DRN) – A collaborative network of networks”
Discussion and way forward
Closing

Regulatory Associations Website

Opening remarks

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
BDT Director, ITU

Biography
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.

H.E. Dr Mohammed Al Tamimi
Governor and Chair RRA-23, Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)

Biography
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi is Governor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, & Technology Commission (CST) as well as Acting CEO of the Saudi Space Commission (SSC). Recognized as an expert on regulation governance, privatization and competition economics, and telecommunications and cloud computing, H.E. Dr. Al-Tamimi has been instrumental to evolving regulation for the Kingdom’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

H.E. Dr. Al-Tamimi signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the Kingdom, signifying CST’s and SSC’s commitment to the peaceful and sustainable use of space through borderless collaboration. H.E. serves as Deputy Chair of a research group at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is a member of the Arbitration Committee of the European Telecommunication Networks Innovation Forum.

Holding a Doctorate in Telecommunications Regulation Economics from the University of Pittsburg, H.E. Dr. Al-Tamimi is an alumnus of globally notable academic institutions. H.E. received his Master’s in Telecommunications and Technology Policy from the University of Strathclyde and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

11:00 – 11:30

Coffee and Photo Session for both sessions

14:30 – 16:30
Redsea & Sinai

Heads of Regulators’ Executive Roundtable

The Heads of Regulators Executive Roundtable (upon invitation only) provides a platform for frank exchanges on impactful regulatory approaches between Heads and senior management of regulators. Discussions focused on novel, bold, and ground-breaking regulatory and economic incentives for a sustainable digital future which promotes the deployment of ICT infrastructure and equal affordable access to digital technologies, while ensuring the financial resources needed to deliver public services.

Moderator

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
BDT Director, ITU

Biography
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.

Intervener

Mr Claudio Julio Ambrosini
Presidente, Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (ENACOM), Argentine Republic

Biography
Nombrado por el Poder Ejecutivo Nacional.
Fue subdirector de Prensa en el Senado de la Nación y también ocupó el cargo de coordinador de Prensa de la Cancillería. Fue Gerente de Comunicación y Relaciones Institucionales de la Administración Nacional de la Seguridad Social (ANSES) y, posteriormente, fue Secretario de Difusión en el Municipio de Tigre y Subsecretario de Comunicación Estratégica de la Nación.

Mr James Cameron
Authority member, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Australia

Biography
James Cameron has over 30 years Australian Government public policy experience, including senior executive roles in the telecommunications, radiocommunications, broadcasting and digital economy fields. James has held executive positions managing government policies and programs supporting Australia’s arts and sports sectors and, immediately prior to joining the ACMA, was Chief Executive Officer of the National Water Commission.

Mr Philip Marnick
General Director, Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Bahrain (Kingdom of)

Biography
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.

Mr Nicolás Silva Cortés
Director Ejecutivo, Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones (CRC), Colombia

Biography
Ingeniero electrónico de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, con Maestría en Dirección y Gerencia de Empresas y Especialización en Gerencia de Mercadeo de la Universidad del Rosario. Certificado en Gerencia de Proyectos (PMP) del Project Management Institute (PMI).

Su trayectoria laboral de más de 20 años en el sector de telecomunicaciones, inició en el sector privado desempeñándose en las áreas de diseño y venta de soluciones y equipamiento para redes. Posteriormente, en el sector público, se desempeñó como asesor del Ministerio de Comunicaciones, así como también como asesor y coordinador de las áreas de Centro de Conocimiento de la Industria, Regulación Postal y Regulación de Infraestructura de la Comisión de Regulación de Comunicaciones. Entre 2016 y 2018 ocupó el cargo de Director de Industria de Comunicaciones en el Ministerio de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (MINTIC), siendo designado en dos ocasiones como Viceministro (encargado) de Conectividad y Digitalización de dicha entidad.

En el año 2019 participó en proyectos de asesoría en política pública y regulación sectorial para autoridades públicas de Perú y Chile, y en el mismo período fue miembro de la Comisión de Telecomunicaciones y TI de la Asociación Colombiana de Ingenieros– ACIEM.

En el ámbito académico, desde 2009 se ha desempeñado como catedrático en programas de posgrado relacionados con Regulación de Telecomunicaciones en la Universidad Externado de Colombia, así como también en la Universidad Santo Tomás durante los años 2015 y 2016.

Ms Julissa Cruz Abreu
Directora Ejecutiva, Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones (INDOTEL), Dominican Rep.

Biography
Julissa Cruz Abreu, current Executive Director of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), has more than two decades of experience in public service. At the institution, she has been Director of International Relations, Compliance Commissioner, and Head of the Regulation Department, playing a fundamental role in the creation of the regulatory framework and leading the implementation of number portability in 2009. Likewise, he has directed significant projects, such as the National Broadband Plan of the Dominican Republic, the Radio Spectrum Tender for the deployment of fifth-generation networks (5G), being the second country to have this technology in the region, and the coordination of the Connectivity and Access Axis of the 2030 Digital Agenda. His management has stood out for the promotion of regulatory measures to strengthen competition and innovation, including the identification of relevant markets and the implementation of the Regulatory Sandbox.

She has been nominated as a finalist for the CONECTA LATAM AWARDS 2023 in the “Most Connected Woman of the Year” category. This award honors women who, by driving innovation, have truly made a difference in their company, telecommunications industry, and community. Similarly, at the same event, INDOTEL was recognized as “Telecom Regulator of the Year”. This award distinguishes a new or innovative regulatory approach on an outstanding contribution and achievement by the regulator, promoting an efficient and effective telecommunications policy.

Within the framework of the event “5G Latin America: Digital Symposium 2021”, INDOTEL was awarded as “Innovative Regulator of the Year” for the tender project for the 700Mhz and 3.5Ghz bands led by this management.

Through the Digital Basket Project, she has led a pioneering subsidy program focused on gender, benefiting more than 2000 women heads of household. In addition, it has promoted the inclusion and dissemination of users’ rights, introducing guides in Braille and attention in sign language, with the collaboration of service provider companies.

Cruz Abreu has made an impact at the international level by leading the Dominican Republic’s active participation in the ITU P2C initiative, achieving the incorporation of new actors and commitments for the country’s connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.

With a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a master’s degree in Corporate Finance from the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), he has specialized his knowledge in Regulatory Economics, Regulation of Public Utilities, and Price Regulation in the Telecommunications Industry. In addition, he completed the Innovation and Government Leadership program at Georgetown University’s business school. Her international experience includes working at Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition, as well as participating as a speaker at conferences on various topics, from Number Portability to Gender Equity and ICT Inclusion. In addition, he has advised regulators in Central America and has taught at various seminars, workshops and courses on telecommunications regulation. She has also been selected as an Ambassador for Connectivity for Education by the Inter-American Dialogue.

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Disclaimer: The content of this bio has been translated from the original version in Spanish.

Eng. Hossam El Gamal
Executive President and GSR-23 Chair, National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt (Arab Republic of)

Biography
Eng. Hossam El-Gamal is the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Egypt’s (NTRA) Executive President since 2020.

With a track record in telecom industry, Eng. El-Gamal breaks into new markets globally and delivers multi-business turnarounds across B2B and B2C markets. He has established firm relations with other telecom regulatory authorities worldwide and been able to strategize the big picture, manage the fine details, and drive unprecedented growth in telecom regulation.

During Eng. El-Gamal’s presidency, NTRA made it way as an ITU renowned member with a plenty of milestones and awards achieved. The telecom regulatory authority of Egypt was also awarded the ISO-9001 certification of Organizational Quality Management System.

NTRA’s Executive President had been appointed the Minister’s Assistant for Networks and ICT Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) for one year, before which he held different positions in major international companies such as, the Vice President for Strategy, Marketing and Solution Sales in Huawei Egypt as well as the Regional Director of Business and Network Consulting Department at Huawei Technologies, North Africa, for more than 5 years.

Prior to joining Huawei, Eng. Hossam El-Gamal served as the Acting CTO and Capital Project Management Officer at MTN-Yemen from 2009 to 2011.
It’s worth noting that Eng. El-Gamal obtained a B.Sc. in Engineering from Alexandria University in 1998, and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Robert Kennedy College (RKC), Switzerland in 2014.

NTRA’s Executive President also received the PMP Certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the USA and the Certificate of Leadership Development for the International Organizations from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Ms Ekaterine Imedadze
Commissioner, Communications Commission (ComCom), Georgia

Biography
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.

Mr Ansord Hewitt
Director General, Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Jamaica

Biography
He is the Director General of the OUR, and an ex officio member of the Office, having been appointed by the Governor General, His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, from 2017 January 1.

He is a Regulatory Specialist, Economist, and Attorney-at-Law and has over 25 years’ experience at various levels in quasi-judicial organisations. His educational background covers law, management, and economics with extensive specialised training in, among other areas, regulation, competition analysis, strategic planning, leadership, international negotiation, and corporate planning.

He joined the OUR in 2000 February and before that worked at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute and the Fair Trading Commission as an Economist. He also lectured at the postgraduate level on Regulation and Regulatory Reform in the Department of Government, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona for over 10 years, and served as a tutor in the UWI Master in Telecommunications Regulation and Policy Programme. He has a master’s degree in Regulation from the London School of Economics, obtained after being awarded a Chevening Scholarship in 1997, a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Economics and Management (UWI), and
Bachelor of Law from the University of London. He also holds a Certificate in Legal Education from the Norman Manley Law School.

Professor Konstantinos Masselos
President, Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT), Greece

Biography
Professor Konstantinos Masselos has been appointed as the President of the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission (EETT) in February 2018 and his mandate has been renewed in February 2022.

He is Vice Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) for 2024 (Outgoing Chair) and he was BEREC Chair for 2023 and Vice Chair for 2022 (Incoming Chair) and for 2019.

He is Professor in the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the University of Peloponnese and he served as Rector of the above University during the period 2012-2017.

From 2005 to 2008 he was a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London. Also during the period 2010-2016 he was an Honorary Lecturer in the same Department.

From 2001-2004 he worked in the telecommunications industry.

Since 2005 he has been collaborating as an expert with various units of the European Commission. Also, he was member of the Scientific Committee of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) from 2015 to 2017.

H.E. Mr Hiroshi Yoshida
Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan

Biography
Hiroshi Yoshida was appointed as Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination (International Affairs) in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) in June 2022. In this capacity, he leads MIC’s international policy operation and represents the Ministry at international fora.

During more than 30 years of experience as a government official, Vice-Minister Yoshida has served many important roles related to telecommunications and broadcasting policy. Prior to his current position, he served as Director-General of the Information and Communications Policy Bureau. His career also includes the positions of Deputy Director-General of the Information and Communications Policy Bureau (MIC), Deputy Director-General for IT Strategy in the Commerce and Information Policy Bureau (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), Counselor of the Global ICT Strategy Bureau (MIC), Director of the Telecommunications Policy Division (MIC), and Director of the Terrestrial Broadcasting Division (MIC).

Vice-Minister Yoshida graduated from the University of Tokyo with a Bachelor of Laws in 1987.

H.E. Mr Bassam Alsarhan
CEO, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Jordan

Biography
Bassam Fadel Al-Sarhan, a Jordanian telecommunications engineer, has been serving as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and CEO since November 2021 by decision of the Council of Ministers of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The Jordanian Telecommunications Sector Regulatory Authority, which was established by a decision of the Council of Ministers in 1995, is an independent government institution concerned with regulating the communications and information technology sectors and the postal sector.

He previously served as Head of the Projects and Technical Division for His Majesty’s Communications at the Royal Court from 1987 to 1997, and as General Manager at an international communications company.
He served as a member of the Jordanian delegation to manage communications services during the Jordanian delegation’s negotiations in the Middle East peace process negotiations, in addition to many prominent memberships on the boards of directors of international telecommunications and business development companies until his appointment as CEO of the Communications Authority.

He holds a master’s degree in engineering management, a master’s degree in information systems management, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical and communications engineering from George Washington University in the United States of America.

He led several pioneering achievements in the communications and information technology sectors and the postal sector during his presidency of the Commission’s Board of Commissioners, the most notable of which was the introduction of 5G technology services, which was accompanied by the introduction of Internet of Things devices into the Jordanian market.

These services seek to create an appropriate infrastructure that enables companies operating in the field of communications, information technology, and postal services in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to conduct their business in a regulatory environment capable of providing advanced automated services that efficiently and effectively support development endeavors, encourage competitiveness, entrepreneurship, and encourage investment.

Mr Darius Kuliešius
Deputy Chair of the Board, Communications Regulatory Authority, Lithuania (Republic of)

Biography
Mr. Darius Kuliešius is the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Communications Regulatory Authority of Lithuania, also the Member of the Board of Supervisory Institution‘s Association of Lithuania.
He previously served as the Advisor to the President of the Republic of Lithuania, also was the Chief Advisor at the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Lithuania and the Head of the Special Tasks Departament at the Financial Crime Investigation Service. Mr. D. Kuliešius was the Board Member of several state enterprises. He has the Master‘s degree in Law and Management.

Mr Ezra Chiloba
General Director, Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Kenya (Republic of)

Biography
Mr. Ezra Chiloba is the Director General of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), Kenya’s ICT industry regulator.
He boasts over 15 years’ experience in public sector management including policy, legislation, financial management, stakeholder management, risk management and leadership.
Mr. Chiloba is an all-round public sector leader who is inspired by the idea that a progressive society is dependent on a facilitative government. He is passionate about the communications industry; its global and local challenges and opportunities for social-economic growth.
He is a former Chief Executive Officer/Commission Secretary of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and has had stints at local and international organizations, including the United Nations.

Mr Daud Elvin Suleman
Director General , Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Malawi

Biography
Daud Elvin Suleman, the Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is an avid technology enthusiast with over 18 years of experience in the fintech and banking sector.

Daud worked with the first microbank that opened in Malawi, targeting rural and underserved markets with technologically based banking services; paperless banking halls and biometric identification.

As a highly experienced IT practitioner in Malawi, Daud is heading a team of passionate professionals at MACRA which is aiming at deepening access to affordable, secure and quality communication services to all Malawians.

Mr Tuaha Mote
Chairman of Board of Directors , Mozambique Communications Regulator Authority, Mozambique

Biography
Mr. Tuaha Mote is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mozambique Communications Regulatory Authority (INCM). Before joining INCM, he was a staff member of Telecomunicações de Moçambique (TDM) having held the functions of Supervisor of Satellite Services and Head of Transmission Systems in Zambezia Province (Mozambique), Quelimane Operational Area. In 2021 he was appointed Director General of The Regulatory Authority – INCM and couple of months later a Chairman of the Board.
With over twenty years of experience in the telecom sector, he has been teaching at universities in Mozambique in the fields of computing and information, and communications technologies.

Mr. Mote has a degree in Computer and Telecommunications Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Communications Management from the United Kingdom Telecom Academy in partnership with the University of Rwanda.

Dr Tulimevava Mufeti
Board Chairperson, Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), Namibia (Republic of)

Biography

Ms Bety Aichatou Habibou Oumani
Présidente, Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et de la Poste, Niger (Republic of the)

Biography

Aïchatou Habibou Oumani Epouse de M.BETY Ali. Elle est Socio-Economiste, Spécialisée en Analyse de Développement ; Ancienne ministre des Enseignements Secondaires de la République du Niger. Elle est actuellement Présidente de l’Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et de la Poste du Niger (ARCEP).

H.E. Dr Mohammed Al Tamimi
Governor, Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)

Biography
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi is Governor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, & Technology Commission (CST) as well as Acting CEO of the Saudi Space Commission (SSC). Recognized as an expert on regulation governance, privatization and competition economics, and telecommunications and cloud computing, H.E. Dr. Al-Tamimi has been instrumental to evolving regulation for the Kingdom’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

H.E. Dr. Al-Tamimi signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the Kingdom, signifying CST’s and SSC’s commitment to the peaceful and sustainable use of space through borderless collaboration. H.E. serves as Deputy Chair of a research group at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is a member of the Arbitration Committee of the European Telecommunication Networks Innovation Forum.

Holding a Doctorate in Telecommunications Regulation Economics from the University of Pittsburg, H.E. Dr. Al-Tamimi is an alumnus of globally notable academic institutions. H.E. received his Master’s in Telecommunications and Technology Policy from the University of Strathclyde and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

Ms Mana Aïdara
Director of Economy and Telecom Market, Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications et des Postes du Sénégal , Senegal (Republic of)

Biography
Mrs. Mana AIDARA is the Telecom Markets and Economy Director for the Telecommunications and Posts Regulatory Authority of Senegal (ARTP) and has held this post since March 14th 2023.

Mrs. AIDARA has more than 18 years of professional expertise in the Telecommunications and Regulation sector at the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Senegal, where she has held many positions, including Director of Innovation and Control, Director of Electronic Communications Networks and Services, Head of the Quality of Service (QoS), Value-added service and Resources Management Department, Head of the Network Administration and Security Department, and Head of the IT Department.

Mrs. Aidara leads the Telecom Markets and Economy team, where she develops regulatory rules that promote competition, network interconnection, economic and tariffs aspects, universal service, network infrastructure, numbering resources management, innovation services and monitoring of regulated actors’ specifications.

Mrs. AIDARA began her career at the Telecommunications Regulatory Body of Senegal in 2003, where she has led significant projects such as the implementation of the mobile number portability, mobile subscribers’ identification, and the development of strategies for Quality of Service (QoS) and innovation digital services. She is a member of many initiatives and projects in the 5G taskforce, national roaming group and the MVNO issue.

Mrs. Aidara is passionate about regulation, technology and leadership. She is a member of the government advisory committee of ICANN and the International Network of Women Digital Experts (RIFEN). She is also the Chair of the ARTP’s development and innovative services committee.

Mrs. AIDARA is a network engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Tele information from the Multinational Telecoms Higher School in Senegal and a Master’s degree in Digital Economy of Regulation from the Telecom ParisTech University in France. She is fluent in French, Arabic and is well on her way to becoming fluent in English.

Mr Mustafa Yasin Sheikh
General Manager, National Communications Authority (NCA) of Somalia, Somalia

Biography
Mr. Mustafa Yasin SHEIK is the Director General of the National Communications Authority (NCA) of Somalia since November 19, 2022. Previously, he served as Deputy General Manager and Board Member of the NCA. He also led the Somalia Network Information Centre (SONIC), the registry operator for the .SO ccTLD, from 2018 to 2021, and was a Senior Policy Advisor at the Ministry of Communications and Technology from 2017 to 2018. With over 15 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, Mr. Mustafa specializes in Internet governance, regulatory and policy analysis, public-private partnerships, and competition economics. He has guided the development the NCA’s first Strategic Plan and regulatory transformation roadmap, driving significant improvements in Somalia’s communications sector. Mr. Mustafa is a recognized leader in telecommunications, having participated in numerous
global forums, workshops, and associations, advocating for regulatory transformations in the region, contributing to the advancement of Somalia’s digital infrastructure and regulatory framework.

Dr Mashilo Boloka
CEO, Film and Publication Board (FPB), South Africa (Republic of)

Biography

Mr Lerato Seema
.ZA Domain Name Authority of South Africa (.ZADNA), South Africa (Republic of)

Biography

Mr Dan Sjöblom
Director General, Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), Sweden

Biography
Appointed by the Swedish Government, Dan Sjöblom is the Director-General of the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) since February 1, 2017.

He is the incoming Chair for the European Regulators Group for Postal Services (ERGP). Previously, he was in 2020 the Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). In 2021 he was vice Chair for the Eastern Partnership Electronic Communications Regulators Network (EaPeReg).

Prior to taking up his current position, Mr. Sjöblom was the Director General of the Swedish Competition Authority from 2009 to 2017.

He also serves on the Boards of the Swedish Broadband Council, the Swedish Agency for Government Employers and the Swedish Government Workers Pension Fund.

Mr. Sjöblom performed various functions as a civil servant at the European Commission between 1996-2009. He holds a Master of Laws from Stockholm University.

Mr Joao Freitas
Chairman, National Communications Authority (NCA), Timor-Leste (Democratic Republic of)

Biography

Mr. João O. Freitas received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics from the Atma Jaya Catholic University in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2009. He also received a Master of Engineering in Telecommunications from the University of Melbourne, Australia in 2012.
Prior to joining the National Communications Authority (ANC) of Timor-Leste, he had worked as Engineer and Consultant with several institutions including SingTel Optus Australia as an Associate Network Engineer (in an internship program), as an ICT Consultant with the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Timor-Leste, and as an Information System Manager at the US Embassy and later at the Australian Embassy in Timor-Leste.
Mr. Freitas joined the ANC in 2015. He first served as the Executive Technical Director for Sector Regulation and has sat on its Board of Directors since early of 2015. He has served as the Chairman and President of the Board of Directors of the ANC since December 2018.

H.E. Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar
Director General , Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), United Arab Emirates

Biography
• H. E. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar was appointed Director General of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) according to Federal Decree No. 94 of 2021

• Al Mesmar supervises the implementation of TDRA’s responsibilities in accordance with the Federal Law by Decree No. 3 of 2003 Regarding the Regulation of Telecommunications Sector, as amended. The law mandates regulating the telecommunications sector in the UAE and ensuring a fair competitive environment in the UAE’s telecom market. On 27 September 2020, Decree No. 23 was issued, under which, the phrase “Digital Government” was added to the authority’s name and relevant functions were added to its scope as per the directives of the wise leadership

• In 2017, Al Mesmar was appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ICT Fund, which aims to achieve rapid and tangible developments in the UAE’s ICT sector. As the Chairman, Al Mesmar supervises the ICT Fund’s investments in financing education projects which involve preparing national cadres to lead the digital future, and supporting scientific research, national projects and technology incubators

• He has 32 years of experience in the field of telecommunications, related technologies, wireless networks, planning and development, project management, policies, strategies and regulations. He worked locally at Etisalat, regionally at Mobily (Etihad Etisalat Co.) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and internationally at Etisalat – India

• Throughout his rich career, Al Mesmar held many senior positions, such as Deputy Director General of the Telecommunications Sector at TDRA, Senior Vice President of Etisalat Group for International Private Projects, Chief Operating Officer of Etisalat – India, and Chief Technical Officer of Mobily, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• Al Mesmar is a member of the Policies and Legislation Committee of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Council, a member of the Board of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, a member of the UAE Council for Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, a member of the Special Steering Committee for 5G, a member of the Higher Committee of the Mohammed bin Rashid Smart Education Programme, and a member of many other national committees

• Al Mesmar was elected Chairman of the Plenipotentiary Conference 2018 (PP18), which is the largest global event in the ICT field and the highest body in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). PP18 was held at the Dubai World Trade Center

• Al Mesmar chaired the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva 2018 and led TDRA’s team to win the UAE’s hosting of the World Radio Conference (WRC-23)

• Al Mesmar obtained a Masters Degree in International Law and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University, Boston in 1990. He is a graduate of Etisalat’s Future Leadership Programme (2006-2008) in the Executive Category and a graduate of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Leadership Programme (2008-2010) in the Government Leaders Category

Ms Jessica Rosenworcel
Chairwoman, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), United States of America

Biography

Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel believes that the future belongs to the connected. She works to promote greater opportunity, accessibility, and affordability in our communications services in order to ensure that all Americans get a fair shot at 21st century success. She believes strong communications markets can foster economic growth and security, enhance digital age opportunity, and enrich our civic life.
From fighting to protect net neutrality to ensuring access to the internet for students caught in the Homework Gap, Jessica has been a consistent champion for connecting all. She is a leader in spectrum policy, developing new ways to support wireless services from Wi-Fi to video and the internet of things. She also is responsible for developing policies to help expand the reach of broadband to schools, libraries, hospitals, and households across the country.
Named as one of POLITICO’s 50 Politicos to Watch and profiled by InStyle Magazine in a series celebrating “women who show up, speak up and get things done,”” Jessica brings over two decades of communications policy experience and public service to the FCC. Prior to joining the agency, she served as Senior Communications Counsel for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, under the leadership of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Senator Daniel Inouye. Before entering public service, Jessica practiced communications law in Washington, DC.
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Mr Choolwe Andrew Nalubamba
Director General, Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), Zambia (Republic of)

Biography
Choolwe Andrew Nalubamba is the Director General for the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). He is a seasoned professional with more than 23 years of experience across multiple disciplines in telecommunications and Information Technology (IT). He has led many ICT initiatives and has served as an expert resource for private and public sector institutions in Zambia and internationally.

His consultancy, resource work, and accomplishments include addressing and speaking at high level engagements for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the African Union (AU), African Telecommunications Union (ATU), Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), COMESA, African Top-Level Domain (AfTLD), Forum for Incident Responders and Security Teams (FIRST) and AfricaCERT, among others.

Mr. Nalubamba is a Chevening alumnus and holds an MSc in Operational Communications from Coventry University (United Kingdom), a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from the University of Zambia, and several professional certifications.

Ms Gertrude Kabaira
Principal – Oversight and Risk Mgnt NPS, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe (Republic of)

Biography

Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete
Director General, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Zimbabwe (Republic of)

Biography
Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete is the Director General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). He has over 40 years working experience as an economist, strategist and diplomat, having worked as Director of Finance and Administration in the Government of Zimbabwe, Economic Counsellor at the Zimbabwean Embassy in China and Deputy Ambassador at the Zimbabwean Embassy in Malaysia. He has also worked as a part – time Lecturer for Research Methodology at Master’s level and a Thesis Moderator for the same course for the past 20 years. He is a holder of a Doctorate in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.

Participant

Mr Mohamed El Hadi Hannachi
President of Council, Autorité de Régulation de la Poste et des Communications Electroniques (ARPCE), Algeria (People’s Democratic Republic of)

Biography
Mohamed El Hadi Hannachi took office as President of the Regulatory Authority of Post and Electronic Communications (ARPCE) of Algeria in February 2023.

With a large experience in telecommunications sector, in which he held several positions in fixed and mobile operators. He progressed through several financial, audit, and administrator positions.
Before joining the Regulatory authority, Mr, Hannachi was Chairman of the Amicable Settlement of Disputes Committee of Algérie Télécom since 2020, he also served as Member of the Board of Directors and of the Accounts Audit Committee of ATM/MOBILIS, until February 2015 and advisor to the CEO of Algérie Télécom in 2017.

In September 2021 he was named as a Member of the National Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CNESE) and of the Skills, Human Capital and Digital Transformation Commission (CCHTN).

Mrs Anna Hadzhieva
Member, Communications Regulation Commission (CRC), Bulgaria (Republic of)

Biography
Education:

Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski” – Master of Slavonic Philology
University of Bratislava
Specialisation in British Broadcasting Corporation /BBC/ – Creation and organisation of media in a democratic environment
University of Delaware – Economics Journalism

Professional experience:

2018 – 2020 – Member of the Working Group on Transposition of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive
2017 – 2019 – Communication and Media Consultant of the “Business for Plovdiv” Non-Profit Association
2008 – 2016 – Member of the Council for Electronic Media
2006 – 2008 – Public Relations of Plovdiv Municipality
2004 – 2006 – Public Relations of the National Revenue Agency Plovdiv
2002 – 2004 – Member of the Council for Electronic Media
2000 – 2002 – Consultant of Bulgaria on the preparation for EU membership, PHARE PROGRAM, ADO
1986 – 2000 – Radio host, editor and producer of BNR journalistic and economic programs – Radio Plovdiv

Mr Samuel Muhizi
Director General, Agence de Régulation et de Contrôle des Télécommunications (ARCT), Burundi

Biography
Dr Samuel MUHIZI have 4+ years career in telecommunications, Information and communication development, strategy, public policy and regulation.

Result focused and adept of leading teams through major transformation in highly multicultural environments, Samuel MUHIZI is the Head of Burundi Communication Authority. As a senior government adviser in sector development, he has led ICT strategies in Burundi and regularly participate in regional regulatory policy planning and harmonization. His also have served as academic at Bujumbura International University where he Contributed to the University’s strategic development of Science and Technology faculty programs.

He is a married man with one beautiful daughter.

Mr Serge Abiteboul
Member of the Board, Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), France

Biography

On 12 January 2018, the President of France’s National Assembly, François de Rugy, appointed Serge Abiteboul to the Arcep Executive Board, starting on 15 January 2018.
Director of Research in computer sciences at the École Normale Supérieure de Paris and at Inria (the French National Institute for computer science and applied mathematics), Serge ABITEBOUL has a PhD from the University of Southern California, and a Doctorate (thèse d’État) from the Université de Paris-Sud. His work on data, information and knowledge management – notably on the internet – and his theories on databases earned him membership in the Academy of Sciences in 2008, and in the Academy of Europe in 2011.
He is also a lecturer at the École Polytechnique and guest lecturer at Stanford and Oxford University. In 2011, he was appointed to the Collège de France Research Chair in computer and digital sciences. In 2013, he joined the French Digital Council, chaired by Benoît Thieulin, and that same year became President of the Scientific Advisory Board on the Information Society in France. He as been the chairman of the Fondation Blaise Pascal Strategic Council since 2017.
The author of numerous publications on data and algorithms, as well as a novelist, Serge ABITEBOUL is the editor and founder of Blog binaire. He was the curator of the Terra Data exhibition at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in 2017 and 2018.

Mr Vincent Roberts
Chairman, National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC), Grenada

Biography

Dr P.D. Vaghela
Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India (Republic of)

Biography
Dr. P.D. Vaghela joined as Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 1st October, 2020. Prior to joining TRAI, Dr.Vaghela was Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. Dr.Vaghela had graduated in Commerce in the year 1982. He did his M.B.A (Master of Business Administration) with specialization in Financial Management in 1984 and also obtained M.A in Development Studies (Public Policy & Management) from the Institute of Social Studies, the Hague in the Netherlands in the year 2005. He was decorated with a Doctorate in the year 2013 in Public Management and Policy by Sardar Patel University, Anand, Gujarat.

He joined Indian Administrative Service [IAS] in 1986. He has held various assignments starting from District level to State level, during which he had won a number of awards for excellence as best Collector & District Magistrate 86 District Development Officer. In his assignment as Chairman, Kandla Port (2008-2013), the port was awarded as the best port for five years of his tenure. He worked as Chief Commissioner of Sales Tax, in Gujarat, during which period he has played a major role in drafting GST law, its rules and fixing GST rates of goods and services as Convener of national level GST Law and GST Fitment Committees. He was closely involved in the GST implementation at national level as a key member of GST Implementation Committee.

As Secretary Pharmaceuticals, he has launched four ambitious schemes to transform the sector. He also worked as Convenor of Empowered Group 3 (now EG2) which handled availability of critical medical supplies like PPE, N-95, Ventilators and testing kits. Today India is exporting these items for which India was otherwise dependent on imports during pre-covid time. In May, 2018 Dr. Vaghela was honoured by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for excellence in Public Administration while appreciating his contribution in implementation of GST in India.

Mr Javier Juárez Mojica
acting Chairman, Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT), Mexico

Biography
Javier Juárez Mojica is Commissioner of the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) since October 2016, when the Mexican Senate appointed him, and currently serves as the Acting President of the IFT1 since March 2022.

He began his professional career at the Federal Telecommunications Commission (Cofetel) in October 1999, where he participated in projects such as the implementation of number portability, the development of the Fundamental Technical Plan for Interconnection and Interoperability and the measurement of the quality of mobile networks.

From April 2015 to October 2016, he held the position of Head of the Regulatory Policy Unit of the Federal Telecommunications Institute.

He has participated and organized conferences and fora on interconnection, community and indigenous networks and social media, local loop unbundling, mobile virtual operators, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, gender equity, among others.

He is an honorary member of the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), served as Vice-Chair of the Working Party on Communications Infrastructure and Services Policy (CISP) during the 2019-2021 term of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and was a member of the OECD Artificial Intelligence Expert Group (OEGAI).

1. In substitution for absence, pursuant to the provisions of Article 19 of the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law.

Ms Emilia Nghikembua
Chief Executive Officer, Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), Namibia (Republic of)

Biography
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. She is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.

H.E. Eng. Omar bin Hamdan Al-Ismaili
Executive President, Oman Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), Oman (Sultanate of)

Biography
HE engineer Omar currently occupies the position of the Executive President of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of the Sultanate of Oman since August 2020. He has an extensive experience of more than 20 years in the ICT sector.

He was the General Manager of Electronic Census for Population, Housing, and Establishments 2020 where he led a team of specialists from different departments of the State Administrative Apparatus and some private sector institutions to build a comprehensive national database to achieve the objectives of the first register-based census in Oman. He also worked from 2013 till the beginning of 2017 as an executive manager at Ultra Electronics of Britain that is specialized in the security and defence industry. From 2007 up to 2013 engineer Omar was employed by Cisco Systems Co. of USA which is specialized in the field of technology and information. The last position he occupied in the company was the Regional Manager of Sales where he contributed by establishing a number of academic training for the company in the area.

On the academic level, HE Omar has a high diploma in Organizational Leadership from Oxford University in 2014, a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in 2001 as well as a number of specialized certificates in project management and in the ICT field.

Ms Yolisa Kedama
acting Chairperson, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), South Africa (Republic of)

Biography
Ms. Yolisa Kedama is the current Acting Chairperson of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. She is a Specialist in the field of frequency planning, and research in new technologies in the satellite environment. She has served as a Spectrum Manager at Transtel; managing spectrum for Transnet. She moved from Transtel to join ICASA as the Manager: Spectrum Licensing, managing the processing and approval of frequency spectrum applications.
Ms. Kedama holds a Bachelor of Science degree, National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Certificate in Financial Management and a master’s in management in ICT Policy and Regulation.

Ms Wendy Jap-A-Joe
Acting Director, Telecommunication Authority Suriname (TAS), Suriname (Republic of)

Biography
Mrs. Wendy Jap-A-Joe holds a master’s degree in Tourism from the Flinders University in Adelaide, South-Australia and a BSc degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management form the Suriname Institute of Management. Currently she is in the process of finalizing her PhD in leadership. As she developed her hobby, she is a certified lifeguard and volunteers at swimming events in Suriname. She has been working in the different areas of Hospitality Industry between 2000 and 2015. Furthermore, as a consultant, she developed organizational structures for improvement for many businesses in Suriname. Also, she has been lecturing part time at The Suriname College of Hospitality & Tourism for 4 years. From January 2015 she has been appointed as the Acting Director of the Telecommunication Authority Suriname. Recently she has been formally appointed as Director.

Her current focus is on:

• Transforming the TAS from a pure regulator into a strategic partner in the telecommunication sector
• Improving collaboration between the government, local and regional stakeholders
• Promoting innovation in the telecommunication en ICT sector in Suriname
• Updating the Surinamese legislation on Telecommunication
• Creating Awareness about Pro’s and Con’s on ICT development for Suriname
• Digital inclusion

Mr Trairat Viriyasirikul
Acting Secretary General, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Thailand

Biography

Ms Cynthia Reddock-Downes
Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), Trinidad and Tobago

Biography
Cynthia Reddock-Downes is Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, by profession a Chartered Accountant she also has a BSc Degree in Industrial Management from the University of the West Indies and certifications in Systems Analysis and Design and Telecommunications Regulation. Cynthia has worked at the Authority since its inception in 2004 and in so doing, has facilitated the development of ICTs in Trinidad and Tobago including the development of a competitive Telecommunications and Broadcasting Industry.

Cynthia also has experience in an operating environment, having worked at the Telephone Company, the incumbent in Trinidad and Tobago for over ten years in various positions including as Project Accountant on the Capital Development Programme as well as Senior Manager with responsibility for the implementation of financial systems. Since joining the Authority, she has worked closely with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and since 2013 she has represented Trinidad and Tobago as the Vice Chair of the ITU Regional Group for Latin America and the Caribbean – Study Group 3, responsible for developing International Standards in the areas of Policy, Economics and Accounting. Cynthia was also member of the ITU Focus Group on Digital Financial Services (DFS) the focus group responsible for the development of international standards for DFS which are now published. In May 2022 Cynthia also commenced the Chairmanship of Working Party 4 of ITU-T Study Group 3.

Dr Kim Mallalieu
Deputy Chairman, Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago

Biography
Dr. Kim Mallalieu is deputy chair of the Board of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) and chair of the Authority’s Board Review Committee. She is senior lecturer and leader of the Communication Systems Group in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of the West Indies (UWI), chair of the UWI St. Augustine Campus ICT Steering Committee, and past coordinator of UWI’s Master’s degree in Telecommunications Regulation and Policy, MRP (Telecommunications). She also lectures in Carnegie Mellon University’s Centre for Executive Education in Technology Policy.

Dr. Mallalieu is chief rapporteur and member of the Executive Steering Committee of the Universal Safeguards for Digital Public Infrastructure Initiative of OSET and UNDP; pro bono technical supervisor of the ITU, TATT and Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Smart Seas Project; and a member of the Caribbean Spectrum Management Task Force. She coordinates the Mentoring Programme for Permanent Consultative Committee I (PCC.I) of Inter‑American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) and, as a keen advocate for gender equality for development, she is vice chair of the Advisory Board for the Network of Women (NOW) in ITU-D, and member of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO) Women in ICT (WICT) Committee.

As Principal Investigator of the Caribbean ICT Research Programme (CIRP), Dr. Mallalieu is engaged in multidisciplinary action research with an emphasis on building the resilience of underserved populations. She holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from MIT and PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from University College London. She is a member of Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams (REACT); a licensed amateur radio and GMDSS short range operator; and the recipient of local, regional and international teaching and research awards, and other awards of distinction. She is the first woman to title a dog in the sport of Internationale Gebrauchshunde Prüfungsordnung (IGP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ms Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo
Ag. Executive Director, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Uganda (Republic of)

Biography
Eng. Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo was appointed Acting Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission in February 2020.

Irene is also substantively the Director of Engineering and Communications Infrastructure at the Commission.

She possesses a vast experience spanning over 21 years in policy development, research, regulation and implementation in various aspects of ICT development. She has served in different roles at the different levels of management in the organisation.

An engineer by profession, Irene holds a Master of Science in Communications Systems and Signal Processing from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and a Master of Science in Economic Management and Policy (Business Economic Pathway) from the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom. She acquired her Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University in Kampala.

16:30 – 17:00

Coffee and Photo Session for Roundtable

19:30 – 23:00
Baron Resort Sharm El-Sheikh hotel

Gala Dinner

Tuesday, 06 June 2023

09:30 – 10:00
Summit

Opening Ceremony

ITU webcast : https://play.itu.int/event/gsr-23-opening-ceremony-itugsr/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqChYczjpoo

Speakers

H.E. Dr Amr Talaat
Minister , Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Egypt (Arab Republic of)

Biography
With over 30 years of solid experience in the IT and telecom industry, implementing working strategies for the provision of innovative digital technologies, Talaat was tasked with a chief mission to lead Egypt’s Digital Transformation Initiative.

Talaat is confident of what immersive technologies can offer to serve as a strong arm to empower vital sectors of the economy and realize the Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypt Vision 2030.

Talaat’s endeavor aims to oversee the implementation of several strategic projects, that include developing and securing the country’s IT & telecom infrastructure, creating a generation of professionals specialized in advanced digital technologies, spurring innovation and improving government performance and quality of services offered to the citizen-as a main objective of the government’s digital transformation mega program.

A strong believer in the power of youth as active participants in the socio-economic development of the nation, Talaat led a number of digitally-based empowerment initiatives to engage professionals to support such belief. Throughout his career, Talaat succeeded in materializing exceptional investments, merges and acquisitions to attract and nurture Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the country and create the value-add.

Under his leadership, before joining the Government of Egypt, Talaat spearheaded IBM Egypt’s expansion plans, ensuring the creation of unique job opportunities and the establishment of centers of excellence to export digital services. Throughout his career at IBM Egypt, he held various leadership roles till he headed the firm.

Talaat was an Adjunct Professor at Cairo University with teaching experience in market and sales strategies and tactics, organizational behavior and strategic management. He was an honorary member at the ICT Board at Cairo University, member of the ICT Board of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, and the Chairman of ICT Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce.

Talaat earned his Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Paris – Paris School of Business and obtained a Master of Science in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology, and holds an MBA from Paris ESLSCA Business School, France. He is a graduate of Cairo University’s Faculty of Engineering.
Speech

Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Secretary-General, ITU

Biography
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.
Speech

Eng. Hossam El Gamal
Executive President and GSR-23 Chair, National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt (Arab Republic of)

Biography
Eng. Hossam El-Gamal is the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Egypt’s (NTRA) Executive President since 2020.

With a track record in telecom industry, Eng. El-Gamal breaks into new markets globally and delivers multi-business turnarounds across B2B and B2C markets. He has established firm relations with other telecom regulatory authorities worldwide and been able to strategize the big picture, manage the fine details, and drive unprecedented growth in telecom regulation.

During Eng. El-Gamal’s presidency, NTRA made it way as an ITU renowned member with a plenty of milestones and awards achieved. The telecom regulatory authority of Egypt was also awarded the ISO-9001 certification of Organizational Quality Management System.

NTRA’s Executive President had been appointed the Minister’s Assistant for Networks and ICT Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) for one year, before which he held different positions in major international companies such as, the Vice President for Strategy, Marketing and Solution Sales in Huawei Egypt as well as the Regional Director of Business and Network Consulting Department at Huawei Technologies, North Africa, for more than 5 years.

Prior to joining Huawei, Eng. Hossam El-Gamal served as the Acting CTO and Capital Project Management Officer at MTN-Yemen from 2009 to 2011.
It’s worth noting that Eng. El-Gamal obtained a B.Sc. in Engineering from Alexandria University in 1998, and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Robert Kennedy College (RKC), Switzerland in 2014.

NTRA’s Executive President also received the PMP Certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the USA and the Certificate of Leadership Development for the International Organizations from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Speech

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
BDT Director, ITU

Biography
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.

10:00 – 10:30

Coffee and Photo Session

10:30 – 12:30
Summit

Leadership Segment: How can policy and regulatory innovation drive universal and meaningful connectivity and sustainable digital transformation?

ITU webcast : https://play.itu.int/event/gsr-23-leadership-segment-itugsr/
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8-m3_dt6MA

This high-level session started with a Ministerial exchange followed by a panel discussion that examined policy and regulatory innovation with a focus on new governance structures, policy and regulatory frameworks and financing mechanisms to foster the digital transformation process, investment in connectivity and access, and the adoption of digital services for an inclusive digital society.

Ministerial Panel
Interactive Panel with regulators and industry players

The discussion focused on:

Drivers of digital transformation for access, adoption and value creation – persons/users, data and technologies
Where to next – Connecting the Unconnected: Revisiting Universal Service Financing for universal and meaningful connectivity
Are policies up to the digital investment challenge from an environmental, social and governance perspective? How can government, technology companies and operators achieve a new level of collaboration in terms of environmental sustainability of digital and ESG?
Are today’s regulators and regulatory frameworks fit for purpose to lead digital transformation for the future? Introducing regulatory flexibility with regulatory sandboxes, what are the challenges and opportunities?
How to include and empower end-users in digital regulation?

Moderator

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
BDT Director, ITU

Biography
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.

Ministerial Panel

H.E. Mr Moses Kunkuyu Kalongashawa
Minister , Ministry of Information and Digitalization, Malawi

Biography

H.E. Dr Peya Mushelenga
MP, Minister , Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Namibia (Republic of)

Biography
1. EARL Y DEVELOPMENT
• Honourable Dr Peya Mushelenga was born and grew up at Oshigambo, northem Namibia, in Oshikoto Region
• He attended Primary school at Oshigambo and attained his secondary education at Oluno Senior Secondary School, now called Andimba Toivo Ya Toivo Senior Secondary School.

2. POLITICS
• Honourable Dr Mushelenga was moulded into politics and political activism at a tender age. He joined SWAPO in 1984, and a few years later, he became actively involved in students’ politics, under the Namibia National Students Organisation (NANSO).
• He was elected as Member of the Central Committee of SWAPO Party Yuoth League (SPYL), in 1997 and re-elected in 2002 and 2007. He retired from SWAPO Party Youth League at the 2012 Congress, having exceeded the age limit.
• In August 2002 he was elected Member of the Central Committee of SWAPO Party, becoming the youngest Member of the Central Committee by then. He was re elected in 2007, 2012 and 2017.
• Honourable Dr Mushelenga was elected to the Namibian National Assembly during the 2004 general elections, and re-elected 2009, 2014 and 2019 general elections.
• He was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, by His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba, on 21 March 2010.
• He was appointed Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation by His Excellency President Dr Hage Geingob, on 21 March 2015
• Honourable Dr Mushelenga was appointed Minister of Urban and Rural Development by His Excellency President Dr Hage Geingob, on 08 February 2018.
• He was appointed Minister of Information and Communication Technology by His Excellency President Dr Hage Geingob, on 21 March 2020.

3.EDUCATION
Honourable Dr Mushelenga holds the following 12 university degrees:
(1) Degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) in History and Political Studies, University of Namibia (UNAM), which he completed at the age of 20;
(2) Degree of Baccalaureus Juris (B Juris), University ofNamibia;
(3) Degree of Bachelor of Arts in Economies (BA Econ), Open University of Tanzania (OUT);
(4) Degree of Bachelor of Education (B Ed), Open University of Tanzania;
(5) Degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Honours, University ofNamibia;
(6) Degree of Honours Bachelor of Arts (Hons BA) in International Politics, University of South Africa (UNISA);
(7) Degree of Master of Arts (MA) in International Politics, University of South Africa.
(8) Degree of Master of Laws (LLM) in International Law, University of Nambia. Thesis: Small states and the undercurrents of compliance with International Law, case of Namibia;
(9) Degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA), Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI). Thesis: Analysing the impact of inflatition on the developments in the financial sector of Namibia;
(10) Degree of Master of Science (MSc) in Finance, University of London, Thesis: Trends of revenue collections in Namibia since independence (1990-2020) and their impact on economic development;
(11) Degree of Doctor of Literature and Philosophy (D Litt et Phil) in International Politics, University of South Africa. Thesis: The economic diplomacy of smalll state, the case of Namibia.
(12) Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Laws, University of Westem Cape (UWC), 2021. Thesis: lnvestigator-Prosecutor collaboration, a framework for improving Namibia ‘s criminal justice process

A few highlights regarding his education need to be mentioned.
Honourable Dr Mushelenga is an admitted Legal Practitioner (attorney) of the High Court. He received the Best Performer Award, for his MBA degree.

4. ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTION
• Honourable Dr Mushelenga is also a researcher and published author, with over 20 academic publications under his name, in a form of chapters in books, articles in peer review journals and academic seminar papers.
• In addition, while at high school he authored a poetry book in Oshindonga language, titled Nanda Na li toke, which was published some years later. These poem collections are currently used in senior secondary schools.
• As his academic contribution to the nation, since 2016 Honourable Dr Mushelenga has been lecturing one or two modules per year at the University of Namibia at post-graduate level on pro bono basis (meaning without any payment whatsoever).

5. INTER.J􀀆ATIONAL EXPOSURE
Honourable Dr Mushelenga has attended numerous international conferences, including of the United Nations General Assembly, and has travelled to more than sixty (60) countries in the world.

H.E. Mr Hiroshi Yoshida
Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan

Biography
Hiroshi Yoshida was appointed as Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination (International Affairs) in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) in June 2022. In this capacity, he leads MIC’s international policy operation and represents the Ministry at international fora.

During more than 30 years of experience as a government official, Vice-Minister Yoshida has served many important roles related to telecommunications and broadcasting policy. Prior to his current position, he served as Director-General of the Information and Communications Policy Bureau. His career also includes the positions of Deputy Director-General of the Information and Communications Policy Bureau (MIC), Deputy Director-General for IT Strategy in the Commerce and Information Policy Bureau (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), Counselor of the Global ICT Strategy Bureau (MIC), Director of the Telecommunications Policy Division (MIC), and Director of the Terrestrial Broadcasting Division (MIC).

Vice-Minister Yoshida graduated from the University of Tokyo with a Bachelor of Laws in 1987.

H.E. Mr Mohlopi Phillemon Mapulane
Deputy Minister, Ministry Communications and Digital Technologies, South Africa (Republic of)

Biography
Mohlopi Phillemon “Philly” Mapulane was appointed by the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, on the 05th of August 2021 as the Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies. Deputy Minister is a member of the National Assembly of South Africa for the African National Congress. He previously served as Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Joint Committee on Appointment of Board Members to the National Youth Development Agency from 2016 to 2019, as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs from 2016 to 2019, as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology from 2019 to 2021, and as Chairperson of the Powers and Privileges of Parliament Committee from 2020 to 2021.

Interactive Panel with regulators and industry players

Ms Bety Aichatou Habibou Oumani
President, Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et de la Poste (ARCEP), Niger (Republic of the)

Biography

Aïchatou Habibou Oumani Epouse de M.BETY Ali. Elle est Socio-Economiste, Spécialisée en Analyse de Développement ; Ancienne ministre des Enseignements Secondaires de la République du Niger. Elle est actuellement Présidente de l’Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et de la Poste du Niger (ARCEP).

Mr Jacek Oko
President, Office of Electronic Communications, Poland (Republic of)

Biography
Scientist and manager with many years of experience. Associated with Wrocław University of Science and Technology and Wroclaw Centre for Networking and Supercomputing. Author of numerous scientific publications.

His professional interests are focused on technical, business and legal aspects of telecommunication services and data communication networks, as well as on the development of Internet, the convergence of telecommunications, information technology and media and the problems of information society.

H.E. Dr Mohammed Al Tamimi
Governor, Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)

Biography
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi is Governor of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space, & Technology Commission (CST) as well as Acting CEO of the Saudi Space Commission (SSC). Recognized as an expert on regulation governance, privatization and competition economics, and telecommunications and cloud computing, H.E. Dr. Al-Tamimi has been instrumental to evolving regulation for the Kingdom’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

H.E. Dr. Al-Tamimi signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the Kingdom, signifying CST’s and SSC’s commitment to the peaceful and sustainable use of space through borderless collaboration. H.E. serves as Deputy Chair of a research group at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is a member of the Arbitration Committee of the European Telecommunication Networks Innovation Forum.

Holding a Doctorate in Telecommunications Regulation Economics from the University of Pittsburg, H.E. Dr. Al-Tamimi is an alumnus of globally notable academic institutions. H.E. received his Master’s in Telecommunications and Technology Policy from the University of Strathclyde and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.

Mr Dan Sjöblom
Director General, Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), Sweden

Biography
Appointed by the Swedish Government, Dan Sjöblom is the Director-General of the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) since February 1, 2017.

He is the incoming Chair for the European Regulators Group for Postal Services (ERGP). Previously, he was in 2020 the Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC). In 2021 he was vice Chair for the Eastern Partnership Electronic Communications Regulators Network (EaPeReg).

Prior to taking up his current position, Mr. Sjöblom was the Director General of the Swedish Competition Authority from 2009 to 2017.

He also serves on the Boards of the Swedish Broadband Council, the Swedish Agency for Government Employers and the Swedish Government Workers Pension Fund.

Mr. Sjöblom performed various functions as a civil servant at the European Commission between 1996-2009. He holds a Master of Laws from Stockholm University.

Ms Isabelle Mauro
Director General, GSOA

Biography
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, managing the portfolio of over 60 Tech companies globally and leading initiatives on inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

Isabelle is passionate about inclusion and sustainability. She is a Commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development. Isabelle is also Member of the Advisory Board of Access Partnership and of the High-Level Advisory Board of the DigitalGoesGreen Foundation. She also sits on the Advisory Board of Women in Tech.

Isabelle holds an MSc in European Politics and Policy from the London School of Economics. She is fluent in French, English, Italian and Spanish.

Mr Osamu Kamimura
Vice President and Head of Spectrum Policy Division, SoftBank Corp, Japan

Biography
Mr. Osamu Kamimura is Vice President and Head of Spectrum Policy Division at SoftBank Corp. and is responsible for international standardization and radio related regulatory activities relating to SoftBank’s mobile telecommunications business. He has more than 20 years of experience in the mobile telecommunications industry including activities such as the engineering development of antennas for base stations, development of ITU-R documents, coordination of related global/domestic regulations and so on.

He currently leads SoftBank’s spectrum policy related activities especially for 5th Generation Mobile Communications System (5G) and also beyond as well as activities relating to NTN-TN convergence including the HAPS project.

12:30 – 14:30

Lunch Break

14:30 – 15:30
Summit

Session 2: Trustworthy Digital Infrastructure: How to bridge the gap?

This session discussed how to ensure resilience of infrastructure while preparing better for online threats, strengthen online security and safety, and build confidence as digitalization of all sectors and services is accelerating across economies.

What approach should be considered in developing and implementing cybersecurity strategies, from the multistakeholder perspective?
What can regulators do with the industry to help consumers be safer online and prepare to mitigate risks? What works what doesn’t work, lessons learned
Multistakeholder engagement: Is a co-creating approach the answer for greater security, resilience and online safety?
What role for industry players, regulators and consumers in ensuring resilience and building confidence in the use of new technologies, digital applications and services?
How to improve cybersecurity skills to better prepare for incident response?

Moderator

Ms Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo
Ag. Executive Director, Uganda Communications Commission, Uganda (Republic of)

Biography
Eng. Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo was appointed Acting Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission in February 2020.

Irene is also substantively the Director of Engineering and Communications Infrastructure at the Commission.

She possesses a vast experience spanning over 21 years in policy development, research, regulation and implementation in various aspects of ICT development. She has served in different roles at the different levels of management in the organisation.

An engineer by profession, Irene holds a Master of Science in Communications Systems and Signal Processing from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and a Master of Science in Economic Management and Policy (Business Economic Pathway) from the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom. She acquired her Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Makerere University in Kampala.

Keynote Speaker

Mr Vint Cerf
Vice President Chief Internet Evangelist, Google

Biography
Vinton G. Cerf co-designed the TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the Internet and is Chief Internet Evangelist for Google. He is a former member of the National Science Board and current member of the National Academy of Engineering and Foreign Member of the British Royal Society and Swedish Royal Academy of Engineering, and Fellow of ACM, IEEE, AAAS, and BCS. Cerf received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, US National Medal of Technology, Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, Prince of Asturias Award, Japan Prize, ACM Turing Award, Legion d’Honneur, the Franklin Medal, the Catalunya International Prize and 29 honorary degrees.

Panelists

Mr James Cameron
Authority Member, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Australia

Biography
James Cameron has over 30 years Australian Government public policy experience, including senior executive roles in the telecommunications, radiocommunications, broadcasting and digital economy fields. James has held executive positions managing government policies and programs supporting Australia’s arts and sports sectors and, immediately prior to joining the ACMA, was Chief Executive Officer of the National Water Commission.

Professor Konstantinos Masselos
President (EETT) and BEREC Chair, Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission (EETT), Greece

Biography
Professor Konstantinos Masselos has been appointed as the President of the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission (EETT) in February 2018 and his mandate has been renewed in February 2022.

He is Vice Chair of the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) for 2024 (Outgoing Chair) and he was BEREC Chair for 2023 and Vice Chair for 2022 (Incoming Chair) and for 2019.

He is Professor in the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications of the University of Peloponnese and he served as Rector of the above University during the period 2012-2017.

From 2005 to 2008 he was a Lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial College London. Also during the period 2010-2016 he was an Honorary Lecturer in the same Department.

From 2001-2004 he worked in the telecommunications industry.

Since 2005 he has been collaborating as an expert with various units of the European Commission. Also, he was member of the Scientific Committee of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) from 2015 to 2017.

Mr Choolwe Andrew Nalubamba
Director General, Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), Zambia (Republic of)

Biography
Choolwe Andrew Nalubamba is the Director General for the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). He is a seasoned professional with more than 23 years of experience across multiple disciplines in telecommunications and Information Technology (IT). He has led many ICT initiatives and has served as an expert resource for private and public sector institutions in Zambia and internationally.

His consultancy, resource work, and accomplishments include addressing and speaking at high level engagements for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the African Union (AU), African Telecommunications Union (ATU), Communications Regulators Association of Southern Africa (CRASA), COMESA, African Top-Level Domain (AfTLD), Forum for Incident Responders and Security Teams (FIRST) and AfricaCERT, among others.

Mr. Nalubamba is a Chevening alumnus and holds an MSc in Operational Communications from Coventry University (United Kingdom), a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications from the University of Zambia, and several professional certifications.

Ms Margarita Lizania Pérez
Executive Secretary, Comisión Técnica Regional de Telecomunicaciones (COMTELCA)

Biography
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 Regional Technical of Telecommunications Commission (COMTELCA), specialized agency of the Central American Integration System (SICA).

Mr Muhammad Dawud Saifullah
CISO and Cybersecurity Management Head, Maxis Berhad

Biography
Muhammad Dawud is currently the Head of Cybersecurity Management for Maxis Berhad (CISO). Dawud has been in the cybersecurity, audit and assurance industry for more than 23 years. He has served in many different roles such as CISO, CIA (Chief Internal Auditor), IT Infrastructure Manager, Consultant, Pre-Sales, Systems Engineer and Software Engineer across various different organizations such as Intel, Pricewaterhouse Coopers Malaysia, Symantec, Celcom Axiata, Robi Axiata and now Maxis Malaysia.

Dawud has a Bachelors of Computer and Information Engineering from IIUM, a Masters of Business Administration from CSU, a Graduate Diploma in Education from QUT and an Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate of Achievement from Stanford. He also holds various cybersecurity certifications (CISSP, CBCP, CISM, CISA, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor) and attended various leadership courses (Data Analytics from University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Leading Through Personal Excellence from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and Accelerating Change Readiness and Agility from UC Berkeley Executive Education)

He is a traditional archery enthusiast and an avid reader committed to continuous learning and development.

15:30 – 16:00

Coffee Break

16:00 – 17:30
Summit

Session 3: Spectrum for Tomorrow

This session explored the impact of fast evolving technologies, high speed low latency network requirements, changing consumer behaviors and new market realities on spectrum needs and spectrum management options.

Managing spectrum for social and economic imperatives: from universal affordable connectivity to tomorrow’s data intensive fully digital 5G/6G world
Evolving wireless technologies (terrestrial, satellite and HAPS/HIBS) and traditional services: how to balance spectrum needs, innovation and competitiveness?
Spectrum management options: To share or not to share? Licensed or unlicensed spectrum?
Spectrum efficient use across industries and services: the role of the regulator(s) and cooperation across sectors, local controlled versus public networks
A spotlight on space Sustainability

Moderator

Mr Mario Maniewicz
BR Director, ITU

Biography
Mario Maniewicz began his second term as Director of the Radiocommunication Bureau (BR) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.
He first took office in January 2019, following his election at the at ITU’s 2018 Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He was re-elected at the 2022 Plenipotentiary Conference in Bucharest, Romania.

Mr. Maniewicz is an electronics engineer specialized in telecommunications. He has been with ITU for 35 years, holding several management positions in the Radiocommunication and Development Sectors as well as in ITU Regional Offices.

As Director, Mr. Maniewicz is responsible for the management of the Radiocommunication Bureau, which organizes and coordinates the work of the Radiocommunication Sector aiming at ensuring the rational, equitable, efficient and economical use of the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.

Before joining the ITU, Mr. Maniewicz occupied a managerial position in Uruguay’s main telecommunications operator and was Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering of Uruguay’s main University.

Mr. Maniewicz is married and has two children. He speaks Spanish, English, French and Portuguese.
Speech

Panelists

Ms Yolisa Kedama
acting Chairperson, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), South Africa (Republic of)

Biography
Ms. Yolisa Kedama is the current Acting Chairperson of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa. She is a Specialist in the field of frequency planning, and research in new technologies in the satellite environment. She has served as a Spectrum Manager at Transtel; managing spectrum for Transnet. She moved from Transtel to join ICASA as the Manager: Spectrum Licensing, managing the processing and approval of frequency spectrum applications.
Ms. Kedama holds a Bachelor of Science degree, National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Certificate in Financial Management and a master’s in management in ICT Policy and Regulation.

Mr Ethan Lucarelli
Chief, Office of International Affairs, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), United States of America

Biography
Ethan is Chief of the FCC Office of International Affairs. Prior to this position, he served as the Legal Advisor to FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel on Wireless and International Issues. Ethan joined the Chairwoman’s office from the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, where he served as legal and policy advisor to the Bureau Chief. Previously, Ethan was Director of Regulatory & Public Policy at Inmarsat, a global satellite communications company, and an attorney in the Telecommunications, Media, and Technology group at law firm Wiley Rein LLP. Ethan also is a Professorial Lecturer in Law at the George Washington University Law School, teaching courses in Telecommunications Law and Scholarly Writing. Ethan earned his JD with highest honors from George Washington University Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Illinois.

Ms Jayne Stancavage
Vice President Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Intel Corporation

Biography
Jayne Stancavage is the Global Executive Director of Product & Digital Infrastructure Policy for Intel Corporation, responsible for Intel’s policies related to digital infrastructure including connectivity (e.g. 5G & Wi-Fi), Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Driving, and Internet of Things.  Jayne joined Intel in 2000, focusing on communications policy. In addition to her policy work, she has also worked within Intel business units where she coordinated Intel’s internal efforts to embed Wi-Fi capabilities into notebook computer platforms.

Jayne currently serves on the Board of Directors for the US Telecom Training Institute, and the Open RAN Policy Coalition; she is also on the Global mobile Suppliers (GSA) Spectrum Group management team and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) Board of Industry Leaders.   Jayne is a long-time delegate at ITU-R meetings including multiple World Radiocommunication Conferences.

Jayne received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Mr John Janka
Chief Officer, Global Government Affairs & Regulatory, Viasat

Biography
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.

Mr John Giusti
Chief Regulatory Officer
Remote Intervention followed by onsite intervention of:
Ms Camargos Luciana
Head of Spectrum, GSMA

Biography
As Chief Regulatory Officer for the GSMA, John Giusti is responsible for leading the organisation’s public policy and industry advocacy agenda with governments, regulators and international institutions, as well as overseeing the work of the GSMA Mobile for Development Foundation and engaging with key development organisations worldwide.

Prior to joining the GSMA in 2011, Giusti spent 17 years at the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), working in a variety of capacities. Most recently, he served as chief of staff and senior policy advisor to Commissioner Michael Copps, where he provided legal, strategic and policy support to the Commissioner on all major agency actions, including the implementation of the National Broadband Plan. He also previously ran the FCC’s International Bureau, where he managed the agency’s relationships with its foreign counterparts and served as chief negotiator at meetings of the International Telecommunication Union, the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission and other multilateral organisations.
 
Giusti was educated in the United States, earning a Juris Doctorate from Boston University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Telecommunications from the University of Florida. He has been a member of the Massachusetts bar since 1994.

Dr Shiv Bakhshi
Vice-President, Industry Relations, Ericsson

Biography
Shiv K. Bakhshi, Ph.D., is a Vice President, Industry Relations in Group Function Technology at Ericsson. He is charged with the responsibility of technology and spectrum policy for Africa and the Middle East, and works closely with industry and policy leaders in those regions.

Dr. Bakhshi has long believed that ICT and mobile broadband can play a salient role in economic development and can help unleash the digital vitalities of the peoples in emerging economies. The use of ICT and mobile broadband for economic development, and for bridging the Digital Divide, remain the defining interests of his work as a political economist.

Earlier, as an industry analyst, Dr. Bakhshi headed the worldwide mobile network and device programs for a leading research and advisory firm for several years. A frequent speaker at industry, academic and policy conferences, he has presented on a broad range of technology and policy topics pertaining to the structural transformation of the mobile industry and its changing impact on society.

At Ericsson, as member of the company’s CTO organization, he is focused on future spectrum issues that are subject of the World Radio Conference, as well as on ITU-D Study Group questions pertaining to broadband deployment and rural coverage that are subject of the World Telecommunication Development Conference.

Dr. Bakhshi started his career as a journalist in India. Later, as an academic, he taught international telecom policy and strategy, and directed graduate and doctoral research, at the University of Kentucky.

A political economist by training, he has a bachelor’s in Economics from Calcutta University. He earned his master’s as well as his doctorate in Communication from The Ohio State University.

He is based in the United States, and can be reached at shiv.bakhshi@ericsson.com.

Wednesday, 07 June 2023

09:30 – 10:30
Summit

Session 4: How to Protect Children and Youth Online?

This session discussed concrete examples of policy, regulatory and technical approaches stakeholders can take to ensure child and youth online safety.

What areas and challenges could be best tackled by regulation?
What are the other solutions and alternatives to bridge the gaps, mitigate risks and avoid harm?
Co-creating national strategies with children and youth
Who is responsible and who are the stakeholders?

Moderator

Mr Daud Elvin Suleman
Director General, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Malawi

Biography
Daud Elvin Suleman, the Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is an avid technology enthusiast with over 18 years of experience in the fintech and banking sector.

Daud worked with the first microbank that opened in Malawi, targeting rural and underserved markets with technologically based banking services; paperless banking halls and biometric identification.

As a highly experienced IT practitioner in Malawi, Daud is heading a team of passionate professionals at MACRA which is aiming at deepening access to affordable, secure and quality communication services to all Malawians.

Keynote Speaker

Baroness Beeban Kidron
Crossbench Peer and Chair 5Rights Foundation, House of Lords, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Biography
Baroness Kidron is a leading voice on children’s rights in the digital environment and a global authority on digital regulation and accountability. She has played a determinative role in establishing standards for online safety and privacy across the world.

Baroness Kidron sits as a crossbench peer in the UK’s House of Lords. She is an advisor to the Institute for Ethics in AI, University of Oxford, a Commissioner on the UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, an expert advisor for the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence, and Founder and Chair of 5Rights Foundation. She is a Visiting Professor of Practice at the London School of Economics, where she chairs the research centre Digital Futures for Children, and a Fellow in the Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford.

Before being appointed to the Lords she was an award-winning film director and co-founder of the charity Filmclub (now Into Film).

Panelists

Mr Ibraheem Alfuraih
Advisor to the Governor, National Cybersecurity Agency (NCA), Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of)

Biography
Dr. Al-Furaih has over twenty five years of experience in ICT field, he had senior position in multiple authorities, he is currently and advisor to the governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority, before that he was the Deputy Governor for Strategy and Planning at the NCA, where he helped in establishing the authority and led the development of national cybersecurity strategy. He was the Deputy Governor for Consumers and partners Affairs in CITC, where he is leading CITC role in Consumer protection, Cyber Security and Internet Services development. His experience includes leadership, management, strategic planning, Internet and telecommunication laws and regulations, Internet infrastructure, Cyber security, network security, and policy development. He participated in many national and international committees and workgroups related to regulatory, technical and developmental issues, and he represented Saudi Arabia in many international forums and committees. He obtained his PhD in computer science from Syracuse University in 1998.

Ms Adrienne Corboud Fumagalli
President, Commission fédérale de la communication (ComCom), Switzerland (Confederation of)

Biography
Born 10 December 1958 (in Fribourg, Switzerland), Adrienne Corboud Fumagalli is a Doctor of Economic and Social Sciences and a graduate of the University of Fribourg.

Adrienne Corboud Fumagalli was a researcher, lecturer and consultant in the area of media policy and information technologies at various institutions (the University of Fribourg, DAMS Bologna, CNRS Paris, McGill University, Montreal) for several years.

In 1996, she joined the PTT in the management of Radiocom (radio, TV, mobile) for New Business Development and International Affairs. The PTT became Swisscom, and it was within Swisscom, from 1997 to 2000, that she held various positions, in particular for the development of multimedia activities; she then became product marketing director in the radio broadcasting services division.

In November 2000, she joined the Kudelski Group as general secretary. In January 2004, she was appointed Executive Vice President of Business Development. Within the framework of internal development projects, from 2005 she launched and managed the MobileTV activity and then the Abilis start-up.

From 2008 to 2016, she was Vice President for Innovation and Technology Transfer at the EPFL (Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne), with special emphasis on the development of the Innovation Square and partnerships with industry. During this period she also was president of the Fondation Innovation Park.

From 2008 to 2017, she was also president of the Fondation pour l’innovation technologique (FIT) in Lausanne.

Adrienne Corboud Fumagalli is a member of the board of directors of Swiss Life Group.

She is a member of the « scientific technical committee » of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT, Genova, Italia).

Since March 2023, she is president of the board of directors of the company Unyversal Technologies SA.

Mr Konstantinos Karachalios
Managing Director, IEEE Standards

Biography
A globally recognized leader in standards development and intellectual property, Prof., Dr. Ing. Konstantinos Karachalios is Managing Director of the IEEE Standards Association and a member of the IEEE Management Council.

As Managing Director, he has been enhancing IEEE efforts in global standards development in strategic emerging technology fields, through technical excellence of staff, expansion of global presence and activities and emphasis on inclusiveness and good governance, including reform of the IEEE standards-related patent policy.

As member of the IEEE Management Council, he championed expansion of IEEE influence in key techno-political areas, including consideration of social and ethical implications of technology, according to the IEEE mission to advance technology for humanity. Results have been rapid in coming and profound; IEEE is becoming the place to go for debating and building consensus on issues such as a trustworthy and inclusive Internet, in particular regarding respect and protection of the rights of minors, and ethics in design of autonomous systems.

Before IEEE, Konstantinos played a crucial role in successful French-German cooperation in coordinated research and scenario simulation for large-scale nuclear reactor accidents. And with the European Patent Office, his experience included establishing EPO’s patent academy, the department for delivering technical assistance for developing countries and the public policy department, serving as an envoy to multiple U.N. organizations.

Konstantinos earned a Ph.D. in energy engineering (nuclear reactor safety) and masters in mechanical engineering from the University of Stuttgart. In September 2022 he has been appointed G20 Professor and a Founding Member of the G20 Professorship Governance Committee. This Professorship is established in G20 2022 by the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (chairing the G20 – Science 20) for incubating the Science of Governance.

Mr Joe Welch
Vice President, Media Entertainment Industry, Government and Policy Expert, Disney

Biography
Joe Welch is Vice President of Global Public Policy for the Asia Pacific region (excluding Greater China) for The Walt Disney Company.

Welch is responsible for leading the public policy efforts of The Walt Disney Company in Asia Pac. He also sits on the Board of Directors of the International Institute of Communications and serves on the Board of the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA).

Previously, he served as Verizon’s Asia Director of Government Affairs and earlier was an attorney at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, D.C.

He holds a BA from Amherst College and a JD from Santa Clara University.

Ms Nina Vollmer
Children’s Rights and Business Research Director, Global Child Forum

Biography
As Global Child Forum’s Children’s Rights and Business Research Director, Nina’s main area of responsibility is to lead and develop the work on the Corporate Benchmark Studies on children’s rights that Global Child Forum produces in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group. In addition to this work, she also takes on other research projects and works on developing the content/inviting speakers for Forums and events. She has previously worked at the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, the Swedish Teacher’s Union, the Swedish Fellowship of Reconciliation – SweFOR in Colombia and SonyEricsson. She has also held the voluntary position of group secretary for Amnesty Business Group Sweden and been a member of the Board of Directors at Amnesty Sweden. She has a Master’s Degree in Political Science with a focus on human rights and development from Lund University in Sweden. Nina joined Global Child Forum in 2015.

Ms Tayma Abdalhadi
Gender Champion, GC-ARB Youth Envoy, State of Palestine

Biography
Tayma is a dedicated technologist currently in her last semester completing her undergraduate studies in international relations and computer science at Birzeit University in Ramallah, Palestine. She has a deep interest in accessibility and safety, and has spent much of her time analyzing human interactions with technology, with a particular focus on those who may be vulnerable due to factors such as language, age, disability, or gender.

At 16, Tayma developed a pioneering and award winning image processing mechanism that helps prevent the stealing of the pictures of women and girls online. She has also worked with a prominent digital rights organization as a digital security advisor, where she created a comprehensive training program for human rights organizations and journalists that included audits, policy framework development, and customized training based on extensive research and analysis of interaction between the tech environment and the employees with different cultural backgrounds, age, and field of work.

Tayma’s experience as an ITU GC Youth Envoy has given her the opportunity to participate in various high-level events, such as the ITU Plenipotentiary, the GC Youth Summit, and the UN DESA Expert Group on Youth Digital Engagement. During her time as a GC Youth Envoy, Tayma was able to contribute her insights and expertise, present, and lead workshops with high level participants.Recently, Tayma co-moderated a panel discussion as part of Girls in ICT Day at the Ministry of Telecommunications in Palestine. She has also made contributions to the ITU Generation Connect podcast on protecting children from online risks, where she had the chance to work alongside experts in the field.

Intervener

Mr Tim Scott
Director of Public Policy, UK and Middle East, Roblox

Biography
Tim Scott serves as Director of Public Policy, UK and Middle East at Roblox. Prior to Roblox Tim was head of Policy and Public Affairs for Ukie, the UK’s video games trade association and before that spent 12 years in the UK Civil Service working on tech, telecom and creative industry policy. He has a degree in Philosophy and a Masters in Politics, both from the University of Leeds.

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee break

11:00 – 12:30
Summit

Session 5: Digital Accessibility: The key to an inclusive society

This session examined digital accessibility policies and regulatory measures that jointly with appropriate strategies and technical approaches are required to ensure that all users, regardless of age, gender, ability to use the technology can access and use the digital information, products and services and thus ensure that everyone is part of the digital societies and environments.

Is digital accessibility a must or nice to have?
Which are the policies and regulatory measures to ensure to build digitally accessible and inclusive environments?
Why is accessibility a business opportunity for all stakeholders (including government, Industry/manufacturers, providers and consumers)?
What are the challenges and good practices in building a digitally inclusive ecosystem?

Moderator

Ms Ekaterine Imedadze
Commissioner and Chair EaPeReg, Communications Commission (ComCom), Georgia

Biography
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.

Keynote Speaker

Eng. Abdel Rahman Omran
Innovator and Consultant to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Electronics Factory of the Arab Organization for Industrialization for artificial intelligence projects, Egypt (Arab Republic of)

Biography
Abdel Rahman Omran, a trailblazing figure in the field of artificial intelligence and data science, has been garnering worldwide recognition for his remarkable contributions. With a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering, specializing in AI and data science from the esteemed University of Ottawa, he has proven himself to be a visionary and a pioneer.

Currently serving as a Consultant to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Electronics Factory of the Arab Organization for Industrialization, Omran plays a pivotal role in spearheading groundbreaking artificial intelligence projects. His relentless pursuit of innovation has led to the development of transformative technologies that are revolutionizing the lives of individuals with physical disabilities.

Omran’s most notable achievement came to fruition when he received the prestigious first-place honor at the Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions 2017. He astounded the world with his groundbreaking invention: an electric wheelchair controlled by brain signals. This groundbreaking technology provides unprecedented mobility and independence for quadriplegics, improving their quality of life in unimaginable ways. The international recognition bestowed upon Omran further solidifies his status as a true visionary in the field.

In recognition of his extraordinary talents and contributions, Omran was honored with the esteemed Creativity Award by the President of Egypt. This accolade exemplifies his commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible and his dedication to leveraging technology to bring positive change to society.

Abdel Rahman Omran continues to inspire future generations with his innovative spirit and unwavering commitment to making a difference in people’s lives.

Panelists

Dr P.D. Vaghela
Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), India (Republic of)

Biography
Dr. P.D. Vaghela joined as Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 1st October, 2020. Prior to joining TRAI, Dr.Vaghela was Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers. Dr.Vaghela had graduated in Commerce in the year 1982. He did his M.B.A (Master of Business Administration) with specialization in Financial Management in 1984 and also obtained M.A in Development Studies (Public Policy & Management) from the Institute of Social Studies, the Hague in the Netherlands in the year 2005. He was decorated with a Doctorate in the year 2013 in Public Management and Policy by Sardar Patel University, Anand, Gujarat.

He joined Indian Administrative Service [IAS] in 1986. He has held various assignments starting from District level to State level, during which he had won a number of awards for excellence as best Collector & District Magistrate 86 District Development Officer. In his assignment as Chairman, Kandla Port (2008-2013), the port was awarded as the best port for five years of his tenure. He worked as Chief Commissioner of Sales Tax, in Gujarat, during which period he has played a major role in drafting GST law, its rules and fixing GST rates of goods and services as Convener of national level GST Law and GST Fitment Committees. He was closely involved in the GST implementation at national level as a key member of GST Implementation Committee.

As Secretary Pharmaceuticals, he has launched four ambitious schemes to transform the sector. He also worked as Convenor of Empowered Group 3 (now EG2) which handled availability of critical medical supplies like PPE, N-95, Ventilators and testing kits. Today India is exporting these items for which India was otherwise dependent on imports during pre-covid time. In May, 2018 Dr. Vaghela was honoured by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for excellence in Public Administration while appreciating his contribution in implementation of GST in India.

Eng. Belal Al-Hafnawi
Commissioner, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC), Jordan

Biography
H.E. Eng Belal Al-Hafnawi is an ICT executive leader experienced in technology, management, leadership, regulatory and strategy. Currently working as Commissioner and full time Board Member at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC).

His Excellency Belal has 20 years’ experience in technology, telecommunications, information technology and digital transformation. He has worked with several international mobile network vendors and service providers including Huawei, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung Electronics and STC.

He has wide work experience in various telecommunications fields, which include management, advisory, strategy, technical consulting, managing complex programs and projects, operation management and quality.

He holds Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Telecommunications from the University of Jordan, and holds executive certification in Management and Leadership from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United states, which focused on business implications in Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things and platform strategies.

He is a technical writer, author and international speaker.

Mr Mohammed Al Mousawi
Planning and Quality Manager, Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), Qatar (State of)

Biography
Mohammed Hassan Al-Mousawi is an accomplished Qatari professional specialized in Information and Communications Technology. With a solid educational background, he holds an engineering degree from the prestigious Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree from HEC Paris.

In 2017, Mohammed embarked on his career in the ICT sector by joining the Communications Regulatory Authority. With a strong background in telecommunications and a passion for ensuring excellence, Mohammed plays a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction and maintaining the highest standards within the organization. He led the telecom infrastructure projects section as a manager within the Technical Affairs Department.

Currently serving as the Director of Planning and Quality Department at the CRA, Mohammed’s role encompasses a wide array of responsibilities. He plays a pivotal role in leading several high-profile projects, including the formulation of Qatar’s ICT sector strategy. As the Planning and Quality Director, he is responsible for overseeing and implementing effective strategies to optimize operational efficiency and promote regulatory compliance. Mohammed plays a key role in developing and refining policies and procedures to ensure that the organization operates in accordance with industry standards and best practices while actively contributing to the enhancement of digital economy governance in the state of Qatar.

He collaborates with government entities, industry partners, and other relevant stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives that advance the communications sector and benefit the public at large.

Beyond his professional contributions, Mohammed Al-Mousawi is known for his dedication, integrity, and commitment to upholding the highest standards.

Ms Cynthia Reddock-Downes
Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director, Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), Trinidad and Tobago

Biography
Cynthia Reddock-Downes is Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, by profession a Chartered Accountant she also has a BSc Degree in Industrial Management from the University of the West Indies and certifications in Systems Analysis and Design and Telecommunications Regulation. Cynthia has worked at the Authority since its inception in 2004 and in so doing, has facilitated the development of ICTs in Trinidad and Tobago including the development of a competitive Telecommunications and Broadcasting Industry.

Cynthia also has experience in an operating environment, having worked at the Telephone Company, the incumbent in Trinidad and Tobago for over ten years in various positions including as Project Accountant on the Capital Development Programme as well as Senior Manager with responsibility for the implementation of financial systems. Since joining the Authority, she has worked closely with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and since 2013 she has represented Trinidad and Tobago as the Vice Chair of the ITU Regional Group for Latin America and the Caribbean – Study Group 3, responsible for developing International Standards in the areas of Policy, Economics and Accounting. Cynthia was also member of the ITU Focus Group on Digital Financial Services (DFS) the focus group responsible for the development of international standards for DFS which are now published. In May 2022 Cynthia also commenced the Chairmanship of Working Party 4 of ITU-T Study Group 3.

Ms Tatiana Lawrence
Vice-President, International Regulatory, Iridium

Biography
Tatiana Lawrence is Vice President, International Regulatory for Iridium, the only mobile satellite service (MSS) company offering coverage over the entire globe. In this capacity, Ms. Lawrence leads Iridium’s global regulatory and policy initiatives, related to regulatory policy, technical standards, technical and policy matters before International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and other international organizations, market access, licensing, spectrum advocacy, and disaster relief. In this regard, Ms. Lawrence has consistently developed enduring regulatory solutions to promote new technology applications and services throughout the world. Ms. Lawrence takes a lead role in driving Iridium’s proactive approach to emerging markets and deployment of innovative communications solutions including voice, data, and IOT/M2M solutions. Ms. Lawrence, also leads Iridium’s efforts in providing emergency communications anywhere on Earth in times of disasters.

Prior to joining Iridium, Ms. Lawrence’s career spanned experience in systems and integration engineering, as well as international business and regulatory affairs. Ms. Lawrence was involved in coordinating engineering and integration activities between satellite and launch vehicle manufacturers, implementing business growth and regulatory development in Eastern Europe, and coordinating international regulatory and market access matters, as well as representation at the International Telecommunication Union and other international forums.

Ms. Lawrence holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Moscow Power Engineering University. Ms. Lawrence serves on the board of directors of the United States International Telecommunication Union Association.

12:30 – 14:30

Lunch Break

Nile Valley & Suez Canal

Network of Women in ITU-D

The Network of Women (NoW) in the ITU Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) encourages gender balance in the activities leading up to the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC), during the conference and in all activities of the ITU-D during the cycle.

The Power session on 7 June 2023, was held to provide women delegates at the GSR, the opportunity to exchange views on developing gender mainstreamed policies through interactions between ministries and regulatory entities in the ICT sector. Discussions at the session focused on the ideal chain of meaningful participation and leadership including how these can be promoted in the ICT community.

Opening remarks

Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Secretary-General, ITU

Biography
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.

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
BDT Director, ITU

Biography
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.

Moderator

Dr Kim Mallalieu
Deputy Chairman (TATT) and Member of the NoW in ITU-D Advisory Board , Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), Trinidad and Tobago

Biography
Dr. Kim Mallalieu is deputy chair of the Board of the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) and chair of the Authority’s Board Review Committee. She is senior lecturer and leader of the Communication Systems Group in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of the West Indies (UWI), chair of the UWI St. Augustine Campus ICT Steering Committee, and past coordinator of UWI’s Master’s degree in Telecommunications Regulation and Policy, MRP (Telecommunications). She also lectures in Carnegie Mellon University’s Centre for Executive Education in Technology Policy.

Dr. Mallalieu is chief rapporteur and member of the Executive Steering Committee of the Universal Safeguards for Digital Public Infrastructure Initiative of OSET and UNDP; pro bono technical supervisor of the ITU, TATT and Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) Smart Seas Project; and a member of the Caribbean Spectrum Management Task Force. She coordinates the Mentoring Programme for Permanent Consultative Committee I (PCC.I) of Inter‑American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) and, as a keen advocate for gender equality for development, she is vice chair of the Advisory Board for the Network of Women (NOW) in ITU-D, and member of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organizations (CANTO) Women in ICT (WICT) Committee.

As Principal Investigator of the Caribbean ICT Research Programme (CIRP), Dr. Mallalieu is engaged in multidisciplinary action research with an emphasis on building the resilience of underserved populations. She holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from MIT and PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from University College London. She is a member of Radio Emergency Associated Communication Teams (REACT); a licensed amateur radio and GMDSS short range operator; and the recipient of local, regional and international teaching and research awards, and other awards of distinction. She is the first woman to title a dog in the sport of Internationale Gebrauchshunde Prüfungsordnung (IGP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Speakers

Ms Cristiana Camarate
Superintendent (and Rapporteur ITU-D Question 6/1), Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações (ANATEL), Brazil (Federative Republic of)

Biography
Co-rapporteur for Question 6/1. Superintendent of the Consumer Affairs Bureau of Anatel, Brazil. Attorney at Law. LL.M. in Business Law, Alcalá University (CIFF), Spain. Masters Degree in Law and Public Policy, University Center of Brasília, Brazil. Works as a Telecom Regulation Specialist since 2007. Acting in ITU-D since 2008.

Ms Christine Arida
Strategic Advisor to the Executive President , National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt (Arab Republic of)

Biography
Christine Arida is Strategic Advisor to the Executive President and Board Member at the National Telecom Regulatory Authority of Egypt. She has over 25 years of experience in areas related to Internet development, telecom regulations and digital public policies. She is appointed board member of NTRA since November 2021. During her work at NTRA, Ms. Arida has led a number of strategic projects. She championed the drafting of Egypt’s National Broadband Plan “eMisr” in 2011 and launched its implementation in 2013. She created NTRA’s Center of Experts in 2021 and supervised its work over 2 years. In 2019, she established the Strategic Planning sector and supervised its work over 3 years. She created the cross-functional team on IoT and M2M regulations in 2017 and led its work over 3 years. She launched the “DNS Entrepreneurship Center” in 2014 and Egypt’s IDN ccTLD “dotMasr” in 2010.
From 2001 to 2006 Ms. Arida worked for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, where she participated in drafting “Egypt’s Broadband Agenda 2004 – 2007” and “Egypt’s Telecommunication Master Plan” in 2004.

Ms. Arida is appointed member of Egypt‘s Supreme Council for Culture, Committee for Digital Culture and Cultural Infrastructure since 2021. She is lead expert on Internet governance and represents the government of Egypt at the UN Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Group (IGF MAG) and at the Governmental Advisory Committee of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN GAC). Ms. Arida is co-founder of the Arab Internet Governance Forum, board member and founding member of the Internet Society Chapter of Egypt, and founding member of the African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC).

Ms. Arida started her career at the Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center in 1992, where she was among the team who first connected Egypt to the Internet. She holds a B.Sc. degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.

Ms Lindiwe Dlamini
Director Strategy and Economic Regulation, Eswatini Communications Commission, Eswatini (Kingdom of)

Biography
She worked for Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation for a period of 13 years in the area of business management and previously, for the Southern African Customs Union SACU in Namibia before returning to Eswatini to join ESCCOM (Regulator). Passionate about the educational empowerment of the girl child with a bias to the ICT discipline.

Highest Educational Qualification is a Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Ms Ekaterine Imedadze
Commissioner, Communications Commission (ComCom), Georgia

Biography
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 Zhibek Abdullaeva
Head, State Communication Agency, Kyrgyz Republic

Biography
Born in Eski-Nookat, Kyrgyzstan, on March 7, 1988, married, has 3 children.

Has a degree in jurisprudence.

Started her professional career in 2010, working as a secretary at the Chui Regional Court and then worked as an assistant lawyer in the legal company «Ho and Corporation».
After acquiring a University degree in 2012, Ms Abdullaeva worked in the legal department of the State Agency for Telecommunication under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. In 2016 she was appointed as representative for the prevention of corruption.

In August 2020 Ms Abdullaeva was appointed as Deputy Head and in July 2022 – took the post of the Head of the State Communication Agency under the Ministry for Digital Development of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

Speaks Kyrgyz, Russian and English.

Mr Notachard Chintakanond
Executive Director, International Affairs Bureau, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC), Thailand

Biography
Notachard Chintakanond is the Executive Director of the International Affairs Bureau at Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (Office of the NBTC).

Mr Chintakanond is in charge of all international – related matters for Office of the NBTC. He has extensively in close cooperation with many international forums such as ITU, APT, APEC, ASEAN, WTO, ATRC as well other international collaborations. He has contributed greatly for Office of the NBTC’s work through his responsibilities covering all liberalizations and negotiations under various regional trading arrangements such as cooperation under ASEAN Telecom Regulators Council (ATRC); Spectrum coordination; Collaboration on regulatory issues with overseas regulators as well as Bilateral cooperation with other international regulatory bodies. He has also been main negotiator for Telecommunications issues under various FTA negotiations including the recently concluded RCEP 2020.

Mr Chintakanond joined the Office of the NBTC in 2009 as a Senior Analyst, Director of Policy and Planning Division, Senior Expert in Policy and Planning and Executive Director of International Affairs Bureau, respectively.

Previously, he has been Trade Negotiator at the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) where he was the US Desk Officer responsible, in particular, for all trade related matters and trade negotiations with the US. Later on, he worked as Foreign Relations Supervisor at the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP) where his capability covered a wide range of issues including Internationalization, Innovation, Informal Sector, Intellectual Property, and Capacity Building.

Mr Chintakanond holds a Master Degree in International Political Economy from the University of Warwick, England and Bachelor Degree in Business Administration (Marketing) from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Furthermore, He has completed The Civil Service Executive Development Program: Visionary and Moral Leadership.

14:30 – 15:45
Summit

Session 6: The Remaining Access Gap: How to get affordable devices to the unconnected?

This session discussed policy, regulatory, business and financing measures to foster inclusive access to smart devices taking into consideration approaches to devices financing, taxes and import duties reduction, improvement of distribution channels while considering recycling of devices, quality standards for pre-owned devices, and partnerships creation across the value chain (five-point action plan identified by the Broadband Commission’s Working Group on smartphone access, Strategies Towards Universal Smartphone Access).

How to make devices affordable?
What are the financing options available?
What role for the regulator in enabling smart device adoption?
What regulatory measures to adopt to ensure quality recycling of pre-owned devices?
How to raise consumer confidence in using smartphones, tablets, and other devices?

Moderator

Ms Christine Arida
Executive President Advisor for Strategic Affairs, National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt (Arab Republic of)

Biography
Christine Arida is Strategic Advisor to the Executive President and Board Member at the National Telecom Regulatory Authority of Egypt. She has over 25 years of experience in areas related to Internet development, telecom regulations and digital public policies. She is appointed board member of NTRA since November 2021. During her work at NTRA, Ms. Arida has led a number of strategic projects. She championed the drafting of Egypt’s National Broadband Plan “eMisr” in 2011 and launched its implementation in 2013. She created NTRA’s Center of Experts in 2021 and supervised its work over 2 years. In 2019, she established the Strategic Planning sector and supervised its work over 3 years. She created the cross-functional team on IoT and M2M regulations in 2017 and led its work over 3 years. She launched the “DNS Entrepreneurship Center” in 2014 and Egypt’s IDN ccTLD “dotMasr” in 2010.
From 2001 to 2006 Ms. Arida worked for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, where she participated in drafting “Egypt’s Broadband Agenda 2004 – 2007” and “Egypt’s Telecommunication Master Plan” in 2004.

Ms. Arida is appointed member of Egypt‘s Supreme Council for Culture, Committee for Digital Culture and Cultural Infrastructure since 2021. She is lead expert on Internet governance and represents the government of Egypt at the UN Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Group (IGF MAG) and at the Governmental Advisory Committee of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN GAC). Ms. Arida is co-founder of the Arab Internet Governance Forum, board member and founding member of the Internet Society Chapter of Egypt, and founding member of the African Network Information Centre (AfriNIC).

Ms. Arida started her career at the Cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center in 1992, where she was among the team who first connected Egypt to the Internet. She holds a B.Sc. degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University.

Panelists

Mr Louis-Marc Sakala
Director General, Agence de Régulation des Postes et des Communications Electroniques (ARPCE), Congo (Republic of the)

Biography
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.

Ms Emilia Nghikembua
CEO, Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), Namibia (Republic of)

Biography
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. She is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.

Ms Wendy Jap-A-Joe
Acting Director, Telecommunication Authority Suriname (TAS), Suriname (Republic of)

Biography
Mrs. Wendy Jap-A-Joe holds a master’s degree in Tourism from the Flinders University in Adelaide, South-Australia and a BSc degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management form the Suriname Institute of Management. Currently she is in the process of finalizing her PhD in leadership. As she developed her hobby, she is a certified lifeguard and volunteers at swimming events in Suriname. She has been working in the different areas of Hospitality Industry between 2000 and 2015. Furthermore, as a consultant, she developed organizational structures for improvement for many businesses in Suriname. Also, she has been lecturing part time at The Suriname College of Hospitality & Tourism for 4 years. From January 2015 she has been appointed as the Acting Director of the Telecommunication Authority Suriname. Recently she has been formally appointed as Director.

Her current focus is on:

• Transforming the TAS from a pure regulator into a strategic partner in the telecommunication sector
• Improving collaboration between the government, local and regional stakeholders
• Promoting innovation in the telecommunication en ICT sector in Suriname
• Updating the Surinamese legislation on Telecommunication
• Creating Awareness about Pro’s and Con’s on ICT development for Suriname
• Digital inclusion

Ms Lele Modise
Group Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer (CLRO), MTN

Biography
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.

15:45 – 16:15

Coffee Break

16:15 – 17:15
Summit

Session 7: Saving Lives: Emergency public early warning systems

In light of the growing opportunities of digital networks and services, and the UN’s new target of ensuring that over the next 5 years every person in the world will be covered by an early warning system, this session examined the case for regulation. An increasing number of countries are using regulation to ensure that public warnings are delivered over digital networks, including mobile networks, to deliver alerting messages to those at risk, and to mitigate the impacts, and save lives.

Which opportunities does regulation bring to public warning systems? What is the ICT regulator’s role?
What are the different technologies and protocols involved to implement public warning systems that are digitally accessible to save everyone’s life?
Which examples are there for national and regional regulation?
Data driven emergency responses experiences

Moderator

Mr Randol Dorsett
Chairman, Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA), Bahamas (Commonwealth of the)

Biography
Randol holds a First-Class LL.B degree from the University of Buckingham and a LL.M degree in International and Commercial Law with a specialization in World Trade. He is a Counsel and Attorney at law having been called to the New York Bar in 2004 and the Bahamas Bar in 2005. He is also a Chartered Corporate Secretary. Randol is a former Partner in GrahamThompson and Baycourt Chambers, leading Law Firms in The Bahamas, where his work covered the full spectrum of commercial practice with an emphasis on Medical Negligence litigation. He is the sitting Chairman of the Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA), an independent statutory body with regulatory authority and responsibility for the Electronic Communications and Energy Sectors of The Bahamas. Randol is a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of the Bahamas and is a Tutor at the Eugene Dupuch Law School. He is the Chief Legal Officer at Doctors Hospital Health System Limited.

Randol is married to Nolette Dorsett, nee Miller and they have three children, Randol Jr., Grayson and Ricardo. The Family worships regularly at Bahamas Harvest Church, where Randol serves as a Deacon.

Keynote Speaker

Mr Selwin Hart
Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Assistant Secretary-General, Climate Action Team

Biography
The Special Adviser ensures delivery of the Secretary-General’s priorities on climate change, from enhanced nationally determined contributions, fossil fuel and coal phase-out, ensuring public and private finance shifts and the transitions necessary to shift the world’s energy, transportation, land and natural systems in alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Before his appointment, Selwin Hart served as the Executive Director for the Caribbean region at the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). He was previously the Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States for Barbados and Director of the Secretary-General’s Climate Change Support Team, leading the team’s delivery of the 2014 Climate Summit and the Secretary-General’s engagement in the process leading to the signing of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Throughout his career, Mr. Hart has served in several climate action leadership positions, including as a Climate Adviser for the Caribbean Development Bank, Chief Climate Change Negotiator for Barbados, as well as the Coordinator and Lead Negotiator on Finance for the Alliance of Small Island Developing States, a coalition of 43 islands and low-lying coastal States in the Caribbean, Pacific, Africa, Indian Ocean and South China Sea. He was a member of the Kyoto Protocol Adaptation Fund Board from 2009 to 2010 and was elected by the United Nations General Assembly to serve as Vice-Chair of the Second Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (Economic and Financial) during its sixtieth Session.

Panelists

Mr Javier Juárez Mojica
acting President, Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT), Mexico

Biography
Javier Juárez Mojica is Commissioner of the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) since October 2016, when the Mexican Senate appointed him, and currently serves as the Acting President of the IFT1 since March 2022.

He began his professional career at the Federal Telecommunications Commission (Cofetel) in October 1999, where he participated in projects such as the implementation of number portability, the development of the Fundamental Technical Plan for Interconnection and Interoperability and the measurement of the quality of mobile networks.

From April 2015 to October 2016, he held the position of Head of the Regulatory Policy Unit of the Federal Telecommunications Institute.

He has participated and organized conferences and fora on interconnection, community and indigenous networks and social media, local loop unbundling, mobile virtual operators, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, digital transformation, gender equity, among others.

He is an honorary member of the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), served as Vice-Chair of the Working Party on Communications Infrastructure and Services Policy (CISP) during the 2019-2021 term of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and was a member of the OECD Artificial Intelligence Expert Group (OEGAI).

1. In substitution for absence, pursuant to the provisions of Article 19 of the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law.

Mr Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu
Chairman and President, Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), Türkiye

Biography
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.

Mr John Omo
Secretary-General, Africa Telecommunications Union (ATU)

Biography
Mr. John OMO is the Secretary-General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the African Union’s specialized agency for telecommunications and ICTs’ development in Africa. He has held the position since January 2019 and was re-elected for a second 4-year term at the ATU Conference of Plenipotentiaries held in Algiers, Algeria in July 2022. He leads the continental body entrusted with building consensus within African countries in the development of ICT policies, systems and services, and also in coordinating African participation in international ICT fora.

Mr. Omo has 31 years of experience as a lawyer and has contributed immensely to the development of local and international policies, legislation, agreements, and treaties in all areas of public service life but mainly in the area of ICTs.

Prior to his election as the Secretary General of the Union, he worked with the Communications Authority of Kenya, Kenya’s ICT regulator, where he provided leadership over the Authority’s legal matters and strategies. Before that, he worked in the public/civil service.

He holds a Master of Law degree in International and Commercial law from the University of Sheffield – UK, a Bachelor of Law from the University of Nairobi – Kenya, and a Diploma in Human Rights Law from the UN Human Rights Centre, Geneva, and ILO Centre Turin among other professional courses.
Mr. Omo was recently awarded the Global Merit Leader Awards 2022 by Telecom Review during Telecom Review Leaders’ Summit in Dubai, UAE.

Ms Valerie Risk
Vice President Public Safety International
Remote Intervention followed by onsite intervention of:
Ms Rachele Gianfranchi
Director Public Affairs , Everbridge

Biography
Val Risk is Vice President of Everbridge International Public Safety Solutions.

A leader with a passion for transformation strategies and solutions that unlock value and bring a fresh perspective to critical operations globally, Val has been working in IT and Digital for over 30 years.

UK 2018 Times Business In The Community Gender Champion and dedicated to challenging, collaborating and inspiring. In Everbridge, Val leads a global team committed to protecting millions of lives and livelihoods across continents, countries, and communities through the delivery of critical event management technology which underpins societal resilience.

A confessed non-conformist and game changer who believes in the power of making a difference in a digital and diverse world.

Intervener

Mr Bapon Fakhruddin
Water Sector Lead, Division of Mitigation and Adaptation, Green Climate Fund

Biography
Dr Fakhruddin is an eminent hydro-meteorologist and climate risk assessor with 21 years’ global experience in hydro-meteorology and climate resilience projects. His key areas of expertise are integrated water resource management, hazards forecasting, climate and multi-hazard risk assessments and coastal community resilience.

Dr Fakhruddin recently joined GCF to provide leadership and oversight of the portfolio of investments in water resources for addressing climate change. Dr Fakhruddin has played a pivotal role in the design and implementation of weather, water and climate change adaptation projects for saving lives and livelihoods, while reducing property damage for more than 40 countries across Asia, the Caribbean, Africa and the Pacific.

Remarks

Mr Saurabh Basu
Project Head of Common Alerting Protocol base Integreted Alert System, Centre for Development of Telematics, Department of Telecommunications (DOT), India (Republic of)

Biography
Saurabh Basu is the solution architect of India’s Integrated CAP Compliant Early warning Platform for Disaster Management. He is working with C-DoT, Delhi, a premier telecom research centre of Government of India as a Senior Research Engineer after completion his Masters in Computer Science from National Institute of Technology , Durgapur in 2011. He is having versatile hands on experience in Software development, convergent networks and has great understanding of Telecom Software and Data communications & Geo-Intelligent technologies. He has been the key member of Geo-Intelligence team of C-DoT and currently he is co-coordinating the development activities M2M & IoT related products. Also acted as the solution architect for various Geo-Intelligence projects of C-DOT like Optical Network planning for NOFN, Fiber Fault Localization System and more recently geo-spatial service for online mobile tracking for the critical project having extreme national importance- CMS (Centralized Monitoring System), OneM2M Common Service Platform and Nodes.
He has published more than 10 international research papers along with multiple International and Indian Patents . He is one of the key member in Telecom Standardization for India through TSDSI and OneM2M- The international standardization Body on M2M.Recently his group received Aegis Graham Bell award for “Innovative Managed Services”” for 2016.He is also closely involved with Telecom Engineering Center (TEC) India in formulating the Service Requirement of Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) compliant Integrated Disaster Management systems of India. He is recently involved in coordinating with various organization with disaster portfolio to integrate them in CAP compliant Early Warning Platform and actively involved in technology trial at various part of the country.”
Speech

17:15 – 17:45
Summit

Industry Fireside Chat: Partners in Digital Transformation

Long-lasting and impactful collaboration and partnerships for sustainable digital transformation today face many challenges, including long-term commitment, aligned objectives and incentives, financial resources, local adoption and scaling beyond piloting phases, and more. In the future, tools used for collaboration and partnerships in Sustainable Digital Transformation will become more intelligent, intuitive, and user-friendly, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate tasks and provide more accurate insights.

For example, AI-driven tools will be able to quickly identify areas of potential improvement and collaboration, pinpointing areas that need attention and providing targeted solutions. Virtual reality applications will be used to simulate projects and different scenarios of partnerships. DLT-based platforms can help with transparency and accountability of transactions and can track and trace resources. Additionally, these tools will enable more effective communication and collaboration between partners, providing real-time feedback on progress and allowing partners to quickly adjust to changing needs and trends. Finally, these tools will enable businesses to quickly and easily identify potential partnerships, providing a comprehensive list of potential partners and helping to create meaningful and successful collaborations.

What will Partnerships for Digital Transformation look like in 2050?
Will they be very much different to today’s ways of collaborating?
Will these new forms of Partnership be able to overcome some of the key challenges that partnerships in Digital Transformation face today?

Moderator

Mr Bocar Ba
CEO, Samena Telecommunications Council and Broadband Commission Commissioner

Biography
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

For over 30 years, Bocar BA has been delivering impact in the Telecom/ICT industry of the MEA region, facilitating collaboration among private-sector and government sector entities in the pursuit of digitization and socio-economic conducive policies. BA’s professional engagement is recognized in industry-wide advocacy activities, especially toward promoting investment sustainability in the private sector of the Middle East. His innate people-centric approach has mobilized multiple consensus-building platforms, cross-regional stakeholders, and issue-specific advocacy on important sector-development challenges. He is collaborating with leading platforms and global telecommunications development institutions, including the ITU, UN Broadband Commission, the World Bank (WB), and World Economic Forum (WEF), among others, as an objective-minded representative of the private sector and as an advocate of effective policy-making and future-friendly regulation, which are crucial for fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that all nations across the globe have agreed to in the larger interest of their socio-economic development needs. BA is a principal advisor to various business, investment, and regulatory entities and assists governments in addressing matters relating to digital infrastructure investment, innovation catalysts, sustainable digital economy, job-creation, and citizen-centric public-sector delivery through the use of ICTs. Bocar BA has chaired consensus-building and contributed to the development of recommendations for leaders worldwide to help accelerate digital infrastructure development and digitalization. 

Panelists

Ms Maria Alexandra Velez
Senior Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, SBA

Biography
Maria Alexandra Velez is a recognized strategist and foreign policy expert with a proven record leading communications strategies and directing global government and regulatory affairs.

She has influenced trade, education and telecommunications policy by leveraging a keen understanding of how public policy and regulations form and how companies can support them. A former member of the diplomatic service with vast international experience, she has worked across industries—energy, hospitality, education, consumer goods, and telecommunications—and advocated at the highest levels of U.S. and foreign governments for The Coca-Cola Company, Grupo Endesa, The World Bank Group and Pearson, among others.

Her geographical expertise includes Africa, Europe, South East Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. She joined SBA communications Corporation in 2018 with a mandate to structure the government and regulatory affairs function for international markets. She holds a J.D. from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia and a M.A. in International Relations from
the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C.

Mr Jose Manuel Toscano
Managing Director, Government Affairs, Intelsat

Biography
A telecommunications engineer by training, Mr. Toscano has more than thirty years’ experience in the telecommunications sector and has held management positions in both the public and private sectors as well as in regional and international organizations in this field.

His professional experience before being appointed as Managing Director & Government Affairs at Intelsat, includes the position of Director of International Government Affairs and Asset Deployment with Intelsat. the elected position of Director General of ITSO, the position of Director of External Relations with ITSO and executive appointments within the National Regulatory Authority (ICP-ANACOM) and the European Commission, top-level management responsibilities with the private telecommunications sector in Portugal, as well as teaching assignments at various universities in Portugal. He has also been actively involved in the definition, development and work of numerous regional and international regulatory entities in the telecommunications and satellite communications fields in particular the ITU, EC, CEPT, and the GSM MoU, and is especially knowledgeable and comfortable working in a multicultural environment.

Commissioner in the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development from 2010 to September 2017 and Vice President of the ITU BDT Smart Sustainable Development Model Initiative

Mr Ahmed Riad Rashad
Senior Director, Strategy and Industry Development, Huawei

Biography
Ahmed Riad, a seasoned professional in the ICT sector, possesses over 15 years of diverse international experience that spans digital transformation, innovation, and industry development. With a profound understanding of digital technologies, infrastructure, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and digital business growth, Ahmed’s expertise extends across multiple regions and hierarchies.

Throughout his illustrious career, Ahmed has worked with multinational corporations and organizations such as Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and presently, Huawei Technologies. In his incumbent role at Huawei, Ahmed orchestrates strategic alliances and molds partnership avenues for Huawei’s standardization teams. He also engages robustly with global institutions in the realm of ICT standardization and strategic industry advancement, while simultaneously identifying and interpreting pivotal ICT industry shifts, fostering innovation within Huawei.

Prior to his role at Huawei, Ahmed worked at the ITU headquarters in Geneva. Notably, he played a pivotal role in planning and development of the Good Global Summit and leading the AI for Good Innovation Factory. Which is an AI for Good initiative that identified and amplified AI-driven solutions and innovations aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, at ITU Telecom, Ahmed adeptly handled Small and Medium Enterprises innovation initiatives and cultivated partnerships with multiple entities spanning the Middle East and North America.

Ms Elizabeth Migwalla
Vice President International Government Affairs, Qualcomm

Biography
Elizabeth Migwalla is Vice President International Government Affairs for Qualcomm International Incorporated (Qualcomm). She leads global spectrum strategy and policy work in Qualcomm’s participation at the International Telecommunication Union, and coordinates Qualcomm’s global multidisciplinary ITU team in pursuit of business and technology objectives for 5G/6G, both at the ITU and among regional spectrum authorities.

Elizabeth is also Qualcomm’s Government Affairs lead for Africa and Middle East, interfacing directly with key government ministries, regulatory authorities as well as regional and international regulatory forums, in order to drive the adoption of advanced broadband wireless technologies and service in the MEA region.

For the past five years Elizabeth has been the Chair of the Global Mobile Suppliers’ Association ( GSA) Spectrum Group for the ATU region.

With a distinguished career in various aspects of telecommunications engineering, operations, services and policy spanning more than 31 years, she has built a reputation as one of Africa’s leading experts on communications policy through her many accomplishments during this period.

Prior to joining Qualcomm Elizabeth served The Boeing Company as its Regional Director for Regulatory Affairs for four years; and also performed a similar role for ICO Global Communications for a period of five years.

Elizabeth holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering from the University of Nairobi (Kenya), and an MBA from Bond University in Australia.

Thursday, 08 June 2023

09:30 – 10:30
Summit

Session 8: Going Green with the Digital Transformation

This session discussed the role of regulators in reporting data related to GHG emissions from the ICT sector and the role of regulators in the regulation of e-waste from the ICT sector, with the ultimate objective being environmental protection.

What role should regulators play in addressing the negative environmental externalities of the ICT sector?
What efforts have countries made so far in monitoring GHG emissions and regulating e-waste from the ICT sector?
How could regulators help mitigate the environmental impact of digital?
How could regulators help improve digital environmental sustainability by working with other institutions from government and industry?

Moderator

Mr Ansord Hewitt
Director General, Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR), Jamaica

Biography
He is the Director General of the OUR, and an ex officio member of the Office, having been appointed by the Governor General, His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, from 2017 January 1.

He is a Regulatory Specialist, Economist, and Attorney-at-Law and has over 25 years’ experience at various levels in quasi-judicial organisations. His educational background covers law, management, and economics with extensive specialised training in, among other areas, regulation, competition analysis, strategic planning, leadership, international negotiation, and corporate planning.

He joined the OUR in 2000 February and before that worked at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute and the Fair Trading Commission as an Economist. He also lectured at the postgraduate level on Regulation and Regulatory Reform in the Department of Government, University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona for over 10 years, and served as a tutor in the UWI Master in Telecommunications Regulation and Policy Programme. He has a master’s degree in Regulation from the London School of Economics, obtained after being awarded a Chevening Scholarship in 1997, a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Economics and Management (UWI), and
Bachelor of Law from the University of London. He also holds a Certificate in Legal Education from the Norman Manley Law School.

Panelists

Ms Julissa Cruz Abreu
Directora Ejecutiva, Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones (INDOTEL), Dominican Rep.

Biography
Julissa Cruz Abreu, current Executive Director of the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), has more than two decades of experience in public service. At the institution, she has been Director of International Relations, Compliance Commissioner, and Head of the Regulation Department, playing a fundamental role in the creation of the regulatory framework and leading the implementation of number portability in 2009. Likewise, he has directed significant projects, such as the National Broadband Plan of the Dominican Republic, the Radio Spectrum Tender for the deployment of fifth-generation networks (5G), being the second country to have this technology in the region, and the coordination of the Connectivity and Access Axis of the 2030 Digital Agenda. His management has stood out for the promotion of regulatory measures to strengthen competition and innovation, including the identification of relevant markets and the implementation of the Regulatory Sandbox.

She has been nominated as a finalist for the CONECTA LATAM AWARDS 2023 in the “Most Connected Woman of the Year” category. This award honors women who, by driving innovation, have truly made a difference in their company, telecommunications industry, and community. Similarly, at the same event, INDOTEL was recognized as “Telecom Regulator of the Year”. This award distinguishes a new or innovative regulatory approach on an outstanding contribution and achievement by the regulator, promoting an efficient and effective telecommunications policy.

Within the framework of the event “5G Latin America: Digital Symposium 2021”, INDOTEL was awarded as “Innovative Regulator of the Year” for the tender project for the 700Mhz and 3.5Ghz bands led by this management.

Through the Digital Basket Project, she has led a pioneering subsidy program focused on gender, benefiting more than 2000 women heads of household. In addition, it has promoted the inclusion and dissemination of users’ rights, introducing guides in Braille and attention in sign language, with the collaboration of service provider companies.

Cruz Abreu has made an impact at the international level by leading the Dominican Republic’s active participation in the ITU P2C initiative, achieving the incorporation of new actors and commitments for the country’s connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.

With a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a master’s degree in Corporate Finance from the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), he has specialized his knowledge in Regulatory Economics, Regulation of Public Utilities, and Price Regulation in the Telecommunications Industry. In addition, he completed the Innovation and Government Leadership program at Georgetown University’s business school. Her international experience includes working at Spain’s National Commission on Markets and Competition, as well as participating as a speaker at conferences on various topics, from Number Portability to Gender Equity and ICT Inclusion. In addition, he has advised regulators in Central America and has taught at various seminars, workshops and courses on telecommunications regulation. She has also been selected as an Ambassador for Connectivity for Education by the Inter-American Dialogue.

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Disclaimer: The content of this bio has been translated from the original version in Spanish.

Mr Serge Abiteboul
Member of the Board, Autorité de Régulation des Communications Electroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), France

Biography

On 12 January 2018, the President of France’s National Assembly, François de Rugy, appointed Serge Abiteboul to the Arcep Executive Board, starting on 15 January 2018.
Director of Research in computer sciences at the École Normale Supérieure de Paris and at Inria (the French National Institute for computer science and applied mathematics), Serge ABITEBOUL has a PhD from the University of Southern California, and a Doctorate (thèse d’État) from the Université de Paris-Sud. His work on data, information and knowledge management – notably on the internet – and his theories on databases earned him membership in the Academy of Sciences in 2008, and in the Academy of Europe in 2011.
He is also a lecturer at the École Polytechnique and guest lecturer at Stanford and Oxford University. In 2011, he was appointed to the Collège de France Research Chair in computer and digital sciences. In 2013, he joined the French Digital Council, chaired by Benoît Thieulin, and that same year became President of the Scientific Advisory Board on the Information Society in France. He as been the chairman of the Fondation Blaise Pascal Strategic Council since 2017.
The author of numerous publications on data and algorithms, as well as a novelist, Serge ABITEBOUL is the editor and founder of Blog binaire. He was the curator of the Terra Data exhibition at the Cité des sciences et de l’industrie in 2017 and 2018.

Ms Mana Aïdara
Director of Economy and Telecom Market, Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications et des Postes (ARTP), Senegal (Republic of)

Biography
Mrs. Mana AIDARA is the Telecom Markets and Economy Director for the Telecommunications and Posts Regulatory Authority of Senegal (ARTP) and has held this post since March 14th 2023.

Mrs. AIDARA has more than 18 years of professional expertise in the Telecommunications and Regulation sector at the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Senegal, where she has held many positions, including Director of Innovation and Control, Director of Electronic Communications Networks and Services, Head of the Quality of Service (QoS), Value-added service and Resources Management Department, Head of the Network Administration and Security Department, and Head of the IT Department.

Mrs. Aidara leads the Telecom Markets and Economy team, where she develops regulatory rules that promote competition, network interconnection, economic and tariffs aspects, universal service, network infrastructure, numbering resources management, innovation services and monitoring of regulated actors’ specifications.

Mrs. AIDARA began her career at the Telecommunications Regulatory Body of Senegal in 2003, where she has led significant projects such as the implementation of the mobile number portability, mobile subscribers’ identification, and the development of strategies for Quality of Service (QoS) and innovation digital services. She is a member of many initiatives and projects in the 5G taskforce, national roaming group and the MVNO issue.

Mrs. Aidara is passionate about regulation, technology and leadership. She is a member of the government advisory committee of ICANN and the International Network of Women Digital Experts (RIFEN). She is also the Chair of the ARTP’s development and innovative services committee.

Mrs. AIDARA is a network engineer and holds a Master’s degree in Tele information from the Multinational Telecoms Higher School in Senegal and a Master’s degree in Digital Economy of Regulation from the Telecom ParisTech University in France. She is fluent in French, Arabic and is well on her way to becoming fluent in English.

Ms Qi Shuguang
Vice Chair of ITU-T Study Group 5 “Environment, EMF and Circular Economy”, CAICT, China (People’s Republic of)

Biography
She graduated from Beijing university of posts and telecommunications in 2007 and holds a master’s degree in computer science. She has been working in the field of green and low carbon ICT for more than 10 year. Currently she is the Vice Chief Engineer of China Telecommunication Technology Labs (systems) in China Academy of Information and Communication Technology (CAICT). Her focuses include fundamental Research, prospective study and standardization work in digital sustainable development and carbon Neutrality.

She is also Vice Chair of ITU-T Study Group 5, Chair of WP3 on NetZero and Chair of the Asia Pacific Regional Group in ITU-T SG5; and leader of WG2 (Large scale renewable energy deployment and digitalization) in CEET of UN-SG, also Chair of Working Group 1 / Technical Committee 4(Power and environment for ICT) in China Communication Standardization Association (CCSA). She is also very active in IEC TC22 and IEC SyC LVDC. She developed around 20 Recommendations as a chief editor in ITU such as ITU-T L.1210, ITU-T L.1380 series Recommendation on smart energy. Moreover, she is also very active in Chinese domestic standardization activities and developed more than 20 Chinese standards including National standards, industrial standard and regional standards. She has got first prize scientific rewards from China Institute of Communications and first prize scientific reward from CCSA.

Ms Noha Ashraf Abdel Baky
Youth Envoy, Generation Connect, Egypt (Arab Republic of)

Biography
Noha Abdel Baky is ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoy in Africa who and participated in the 2022 GC Youth Summit in Kigali.
She is a Storage Support Engineer at Dell Technologies in Cairo and served as a committee member at Dell Women in Action committee.
She holds a Bsc. in Communication Systems Engineering from Ain Shams University in Cairo.
She was the Africa Representative in the Youth Coalition in Internet Governance between 2020-2021
She is passionate about Internet Governance, Digital Sustainability, Women & Youth Empowerment in Tech and Emerging Technologies like AI, Cloud Computing & the Metaverse.
She was selected as a 2017 ISOC Youth@IGF Fellow in Geneva, and afterwards, she co-founded Digital Grassroots, a youth-led initiative to promote digital citizenship.
She is an Alumni of the Middle East and African Schools of Internet Governance.
She was a 2018 ISOC IGF Ambassador in Paris and was selected by the MAG members as a main speaker in the closing ceremony representing youth & civil society.
She was a member of the Working Group on Sustainable IG, part of Youth4DigitalSustainability Program.

She participated in the ILPF Policy Hackathon under the theme of Metaverse & Trust and won the first place with her team.
She was an UNECA volunteer at the 2022 Internet Governance Forum in Addis Ababa.
She is currently an Arabic-speaking facilitator for the Pan-African Youth Ambassadors for Internet Governance fellowship powered by PRIDA.

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:00
Summit

Session 9: Harnessing the Opportunities of the Metaverse

This session explored the challenges and opportunities of the Metaverse environment relying on connectivity, digital devices, platforms and immersive reality technologies, defining what an immersive virtual reality is, examining the technical, commercial, social and regulatory implications of this virtual digital environment.

What is the Metaverse?
What are the opportunities and potential bottlenecks (such as access, interoperability, digital accessibility, safety and security, child online protection, etc.) for governments, businesses and consumers/users in this immersive virtual and augmented reality world?
What are the policy issues raised by the Metaverse? And what regulatory approaches are needed?
What is the role of the regulator (ICT) and stakeholders in ensuring inclusive, safe, secure and trusted immersive experiences in virtual reality?

Keynote Speaker

Mr Seizo Onoe
TSB Director, ITU

Biography
Seizo Onoe took office as Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau (TSB) at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on 1 January 2023.

Before his election as TSB Director by ITU Member States, he completed an over 30-year career with Japanese mobile operator NTT DOCOMO. In 2021, he became Executive Vice President and Chief Standardization Strategy Officer for the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Corporation and a Fellow of NTT DOCOMO, INC. From 2017, he served as NTT DOCOMO’s Chief Technology Architect and President of its subsidiary DOCOMO Technology.

Between 2012 and 2017, he served as NTT DOCOMO’s Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President, a Member of the Board of Directors, and Managing Director of R&D Innovation Division. Earlier, he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of NTT DOCOMO’s R&D Strategy Department and Managing Director of the company’s Radio Network Development Department.

As TSB Director, he heads the part of ITU responsible for the coordination of technical standards and collaborative standardization processes that enable the interconnection and interoperability of information and communication technologies (ICTs) worldwide.

Mr Onoe is committed to facilitating open and inclusive standardization processes, along with promoting digital technologies to address global issues, building a new ecosystem that reflects evolving technologies, and strengthening cooperation and collaboration in ICT standardization worldwide.

Known in the industry as “the father of LTE” (Long-Term Evolution), he helped upgrade the wireless broadband standard for mobile devices and networks. He now aims for global outreach to bridge standardization gaps, deliver the benefits of technology widely and speedily, and ensure meaningful and affordable broadband access for everyone.

Mr Onoe holds a Master’s degree in electronics from the Kyoto University Graduate School of Engineering.
Speech

Moderator

Ms Sinead Bovell
Generation Connect Board Member, Futurist and Founder of Waye

Biography
Sinead Bovell is a futurist and the founder of WAYE, a tech education company that prepares youth for the future of work and life with advanced technologies, with a focus on non-traditional and minority markets. To date, Sinead has educated over 10, 000 young entrepreneurs on the future of technology, and was recently recognized by Wired Magazine for her work in bringing ‘new faces to the table in tech,’ and named one of Refinery29’s Top Ten Black Women Changing the Game. Prior to founding WAYE, Sinead received her MBA from the University of Toronto and worked as a management consultant for A.T. Kearney.

Panelists

Ms Cristiana Camarate
Superintendent, Agência Nacional de Telecomunicações ANATEL, Brazil, and Rapporteur ITU-D Question 6/1, Brazil (Federative Republic of)

Biography
Co-rapporteur for Question 6/1. Superintendent of the Consumer Affairs Bureau of Anatel, Brazil. Attorney at Law. LL.M. in Business Law, Alcalá University (CIFF), Spain. Masters Degree in Law and Public Policy, University Center of Brasília, Brazil. Works as a Telecom Regulation Specialist since 2007. Acting in ITU-D since 2008.

Dr Ramy Ahmed Fathy
Sector Head Strategic Planning, National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt (Arab Republic of)

Biography
Dr. Fathy is a senior executive, with 20+ years of technology and regulatory experience in ICT, leading mega digital initiatives that span the technology, policy, and digital spaces. He serves on the board of several government institutions overseeing mega projects in the ICT and aerospace sectors, bringing his cross-vertical expertise in the teleco/digital domains.

In his capacity as Sector Head of Strategic Planning at the Egyptian telecom regulatory authority (NTRA), Fathy is spearheading teams tackling core regulatory functions including strategy and market development, market analysis, economic analysis, cost-benefit analysis for rule makings, regulatory impact assessment, standardization and technical aspects, international policies, cooperation and partnerships, research & development, and Industry 4.0 planning.

Over the span of his career, Fathy has overseen the development and implementation of large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders in areas like smart cities, smart mobility solutions and intelligent transportation systems, augmented and virtual reality, digital agriculture, smart water management, aerospace, energy metering and distribution, robotics, embedded systems, IoT, 5G, and AI. He has done advisory work on advanced ICT/Digital solutions design and standards-based implementations with an emphasis on security, interoperability, and integration. In addition to his responsibilities in overseeing a diverse portfolio of projects in multiple vertical sectors, Fathy is leading a team that is promoting investments in the ICT sector to further diversify Egypt’s ICT economy, exploring opportunities for vibrant industrial, research and commercial clusters and addressing their market entry barriers. He is also sealing partnerships with world-class global organisations to explore synergies and mutual collaboration opportunities.

Fathy tackles techno-policy and standardization issues in international telecommunications through his engagements in mutiple industry and global telecommunications development platform including the ITU, the IEEE, the World Bank, and OECD, among others, advocating governance, economic sustainability, interoperability, systems resilience and scalability. He is currently serving on the ITU Council, as well as a member of the Independent Management Advisory Committee (IMAC) Selection Committee. The purpose of the IMAC, as a subsidiary body of the ITU Council, is to serve in an expert advisory capacity and assists the Council and the Secretary-General in fulfilling their governance responsibilities, including ensuring the effectiveness of ITU’s internal control systems, risk management and governance processes.

Fathy is also serving as Vice Chairman of ITU-T Study Group 20 (SG20), the lead ITU-T study group which develops international standards on IoT and its applications including smart cities and communities. Furthermore, he serves as the Chairman of its regional group in Africa leading standardization efforts and development within the African context, and an expert member of the IEC-ISO-ITU Joint Smart Cities Task Force (J-SCTF) whereby he is leading international harmonization and collaboration efforts to develop implementable smart cities standards that have an utmost impact of achieving the SDGs in cities and communities. On the research and pre-standardization front, he is currently serving as the Chair of the ITU/FAO Focus Group on “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) for Digital Agriculture” (FG-AI4A), whereby he is leading along with an international team of experts, the use of emerging technologies including AI and IoT, to support optimized agricultural production and management processes. Moreover, he is currently serving as board member in the IEEE Standards Association Standardization Board (SASB) as well as a member in two of its standing committees, the New Standards Committee (NesCom) and the Procedures Committee (ProCom).

Mr Chris Duffey
Tech Futurist and Creative Director, Adobe and Author of “Decoding the Metaverse”

Biography
Chris Duffey is a highly respected authority in the realm of designing digital experiences using emerging technology. With an impressive career spanning over 25 years, Duffey has been instrumental in transforming some of the world’s largest and most recognized brands. As a leading strategic futurist and expert in growth opportunities for brands, organizations, and society through technology and creativity, Duffey is currently spearheading Adobe’s Creative Cloud strategic development partnerships.

Duffey’s powerful keynote presentations have left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide, garnering over 50+ million impressions and featuring in more than 200 global media outlets. His work has been recognized by prominent publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Inc., Adweek, Ad Age, Cheddar, The Mirror, The Drum, Campaign, CMO.com, New York Post, and Business Insider. Duffey is a prolific writer on the cutting-edge topics of the Metaverse, Web3, blockchain, NFTs, DAOs, DeFi, cryptocurrency, AR/VR, generative AI, spatial computing, and virtual worlds.

An award-winning author, Duffey wrote Superhuman Innovation, the world’s first book co-authored by AI about AI, which was named one of the best product innovation books of all time by BOOKAUTHORITY. He has recently published Decoding the Metaverse: Expand Your Business Using Web3.

Mr Marc Vancoppenolle
VP and Head, Govermment Affairs International, Nokia

Biography
Marc Vancoppenolle is leading the Government Affairs International function at Nokia. His responsibilities include Policy and Regulatory advocacy, geopolitical insight and international relations.

Prior to this, Marc led the Alcatel-Lucent Public and Regulatory Affairs function for EMEA – including the representation office in Brussels – and APAC. Before joining Public Affairs, Marc led EMEA Strategic Customer Marketing at Alcatel-Lucent.

Marc has over 30 years of experience in the telecommunication industry. He joined Alcatel in 1991 where he took various international and worldwide technical, commercial, marketing and communication leadership roles based in Belgium and in France.

Marc is a Belgian and French national. He holds a Master of Science, with a specialization in Telecommunication from the University of Leuven complemented with marketing studies from the University of Antwerp. He is Vice-Chair of the BUSINESSEUROPE Digital Economy Taskforce and advisor to FITCE Belgium (forum for ICT & Media professionals).

12:00 – 12:30
Summit

Closing Ceremony

ITU webcast : https://play.itu.int/event/gsr-23-closing-ceremony-itugsr/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/i42-WJr3blE?feature=share

Speakers

Dr Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava
BDT Director, ITU

Biography
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.

Eng. Hossam El Gamal
Executive President and GSR-23 Chair, National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), Egypt (Arab Republic of)

Biography
Eng. Hossam El-Gamal is the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Egypt’s (NTRA) Executive President since 2020.

With a track record in telecom industry, Eng. El-Gamal breaks into new markets globally and delivers multi-business turnarounds across B2B and B2C markets. He has established firm relations with other telecom regulatory authorities worldwide and been able to strategize the big picture, manage the fine details, and drive unprecedented growth in telecom regulation.

During Eng. El-Gamal’s presidency, NTRA made it way as an ITU renowned member with a plenty of milestones and awards achieved. The telecom regulatory authority of Egypt was also awarded the ISO-9001 certification of Organizational Quality Management System.

NTRA’s Executive President had been appointed the Minister’s Assistant for Networks and ICT Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) for one year, before which he held different positions in major international companies such as, the Vice President for Strategy, Marketing and Solution Sales in Huawei Egypt as well as the Regional Director of Business and Network Consulting Department at Huawei Technologies, North Africa, for more than 5 years.

Prior to joining Huawei, Eng. Hossam El-Gamal served as the Acting CTO and Capital Project Management Officer at MTN-Yemen from 2009 to 2011.
It’s worth noting that Eng. El-Gamal obtained a B.Sc. in Engineering from Alexandria University in 1998, and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Robert Kennedy College (RKC), Switzerland in 2014.

NTRA’s Executive President also received the PMP Certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the USA and the Certificate of Leadership Development for the International Organizations from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.

13:30 – 14:30
Redsea & Sinai

Information session on ITU-T SG20RG-AFR

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Opening Statement (Arabic)

Opening Statement

Opening Statement (Arabic)

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Presentation