Saudi Arabia will host the 2025 edition of the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR25), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), from August 31 to September 3 in Riyadh.
The event is organized by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) under the theme ‘Regulation for Sustainable Digital Development. The symposium GSR25 will serve as a high-level platform for advancing global regulatory frameworks to support inclusive and sustainable digital growth
The event is expected to draw delegates from over 190 countries, including ministers, regulatory chiefs, industry leaders, and ICT policymakers.
Acting Governor of CST Haytham AlOhali emphasized that GSR, now in its 25th year, has historically offered a space for knowledge-sharing among international and domestic stakeholders, and the symposium is poised to drive a transformative shift in digital regulation on a global scale.
Haytham Abdulrahman AlOhali Acting Governor- CST
“Saudi Arabia’s hosting of GSR25 reflects the international community’s trust in the Kingdom’s leadership in the digital realm and its contributions toward achieving the goals of the ITU. It also reaffirms our position as a global hub for forward-looking digital dialogue and regulatory innovation. We are committed to playing a proactive role in advancing sustainable digital development and finding inclusive solutions to connect humanity. The symposium is poised to drive a transformative shift in digital regulation on a global scale.”
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted GSR’s legacy in shaping global regulation through waves of technological change and stated that, “For 25 years, GSR has played a key role in shaping digital regulation through major technological advances, from the rise of mobile and Internet services to the emergence of artificial intelligence. As we mark this important milestone, let’s reaffirm our shared commitment to connecting everyone, everywhere, promoting innovation, trust, and social good, and uniting around a common vision for the digital future.”
Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau Dr. Cosmas Zavazava pointed out the importance of the event and said that, “For a quarter of a century, GSR has served as the world’s regulatory compass. Built around interactive high-level panels on topical and cutting-edge policy and regulatory issues, GSR25 will provide regulators and policymakers from around the world with a unique platform to discuss the most pressing policy challenges and advance a sustainable digital future.”
GSR25 will feature high-level sessions focused on strategic priorities, including strengthening collaborative digital regulation, promoting digital inclusion through innovative regulatory frameworks, building trust in the digital environment, protecting users, enhancing human capacity in emerging technologies, and developing innovative regulatory frameworks to support long-term digital sustainability.
