Page 7 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2023

SAMENA COUNCIL ACTIVITY SAMENA TRENDS

industry and private sector members to “Regulation is what keeps things in flow, and when
discuss and share perspectives on how
they can contribute to achieving effective done right, ensures predictability, stability, and aids
digital transformation. These discussions informed decision-making and innovation. With well-
were reflected in an Outcome Statement
presented at the GSR-23 closing ceremony crafted regulations, we can ensure that digital technol-
by Bocar BA, IAGDI-CRO Chairman and CEO ogy is used to bring benefit to the public, not exploit it,
of SAMENA Telecommunications Council.
The meeting reaffirmed the private sector's and to help support the creation of a secure, sustain-
commitment to supporting governments, able, and a bright digital future for both businesses and
particularly regulators, during today's
volatile and ever-changing environment, to the society, at large. Moreover, good regulation would
achieve common goals both in the near and help set incentives, sustain investments, and would
long term.
guarantee level-playing field for businesses and varied
CEO of SAMENA Council, prior to the GSR- choices for the end-user. The values we want to pro-
23 had acknowledged that “Regulation
is what keeps things in flow, and when mote, such as safety, privacy, and security, all require
done right, ensures predictability, stability, regulations. Thus, the role of regulatory authorities is
and aids informed decision-making and
innovation. With well-crafted regulations, tremendous, and it requires to be tremendously driven
we can ensure that digital technology is by an industry-enablement mindset that supports dig-
used to bring benefit to the public, not
exploit it, and to help support the creation ital infrastructure development for all people.”
of a secure, sustainable, and a bright digital Bocar A. BA, CEO & Board Member
future for both businesses and the society,
at large. Moreover, good regulation would SAMENA Telecommunications Council
help set incentives, sustain investments,
and would guarantee level-playing field for regulatory and economic incentives sector digital policy and regulatory
businesses and varied choices for the end- to stimulate the deployment of digital principles to support a sustainable digital
user. The values we want to promote, such infrastructure for all people everywhere. future for all people everywhere.
as safety, privacy, and security, all require Since 2003, the GSR Best Practice
regulations. Thus, the role of regulatory Guidelines have captured established Based on contributions from national and
authorities is tremendous, and it requires regulatory principles for a competitive, regional policy-makers and regulators,
to be tremendously driven by an industry- safe, and inclusive enabling environment. regional and international organizations,
enablement mindset that supports digital civil society and the private sector,
infrastructure development for all people.” The 2023 Guidelines address and identify the guidelines identify collaborative
The Best Practice Guidelines adopted at the incentives that can be used to expand approaches to encourage the development
GSR-23 International Telecommunication connectivity, and support access, adoption, of investor-friendly markets that promote
Union's Global Symposium for Regulators and use. They also identify novel, innovative, competition while stimulating innovation.
(GSR-23) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, define ground-breaking, evidence-based cross-

7 MAY-JUNE 2023