SAMENA Council IAGDI-CRO Contributions
Industry Advisory Group for Development Issues and Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers’ (IAGDI-CRO) Meeting
At the ITU Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-24) High-Level Segment titled "Maximizing Digital Opportunities for Impact," SAMENA Telecommunications Council, represented by CEO Bocar BA, emphasized the critical importance of network resilience and inclusive connectivity. The session brought together ministers, regulators, and industry leaders to explore how to adjust policies and regulations to meet current digital needs while preparing for future advancements.
In his address, Bocar BA highlighted the necessity of ensuring network resilience through robust infrastructure, comprehensive disaster recovery plans, and advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning. He stressed that proactive risk management and inclusive connectivity initiatives are essential, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Ba underscored the need for adaptable and technologically neutral regulatory frameworks to foster innovation and investment, calling for public-private partnerships and broadening the base for network investment.
Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues and the Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers; (IAGDI-CRO) Meeting
Ahead of GSR-23, the Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues and Chief Regulatory Officers (IAGDI-CRO) engaged industry and private sector members to discuss and share perspectives on how they can contribute to achieving effective digital transformation. These discussions were reflected in an Outcome Statement presented at the GSR-23 closing ceremony by Bocar BA, IAGDI-CRO Chairman and CEO of SAMENA Telecommunications Council.
The meeting reaffirmed the private sector's commitment to supporting governments, particularly regulators, during today's volatile and ever-changing environment, to achieve common goals both in the near and long term.
Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues and the Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers’ (IAGDI-CRO) Meeting
Industry and private sector leaders gathered online on 24 February 2022 to gain insights based on their experience as to how the Partner2Connect Digital Development Roundtable may bring concrete results in terms of viable and bankable projects, and application of transformative financing models for connectivity.
Mr. Bocar Ba, Chair of IAGDI-CRO, and CEO of SAMENA Telecommunications Council, gave an overview of the IAGDI-CRO, recognizing accessible, affordable, and meaningful connection for everyone as a central part of ITU’s work. He encouraged contributions and commitments by the Partner2Connect initiative through collaboration and partnerships across the digital ecosystem.
Industry Advisory Group for Development Issues and the Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers’ (IAGDI-CRO) meeting
Organized on the occasion of the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-21), the meeting adopted an outcome statement, which was presented to GSR-21, representing an industry perspective on development and regulatory issues.
Mr. Bocar Ba, CEO of SAMENA Telecommunications Council and Chairman of the meeting, gave an overview of IAGDI-CRO and its mandate in accordance with WTDC-17 Resolution 71. He encouraged ITU Sector Members and Member States to support ITU-D’s work and promote the sector.
Private Sector IAGDI-CRO Meeting during GSR-20
SAMENA Telecommunications Council, represented by its CEO, Bocar A. BA, participated in the 20th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR20), which took place virtually on 1-3 September 202. Earlier, held back to back with GSR20, SAMENA Council led the Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues and the Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (IAGDI-CRO) Meeting on 31 August, under the theme “The Regulatory Wheel of Change: Regulation for Digital Transformation - An industry perspective”.
Under the chairmanship of Mr. BA, the IAGDI-CRO Meeting discussed critical questions and proposed ways to address and adapt to industry and regulatory challenges, including those stemming from transformational shifts catalyzed by the world's collective experience with the Covid-19 pandemic. The Meeting's Outcome Statement was presented by Chairman BA to the Plenary Session at the closing of the GSR20 as a proposal by the Industry to the Telecom Regulatory Authorities from around the world for consideration, and in support of the Private Sector's collaborative engagement with the governments.
The 10th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO)
SAMENA Telecommunications Council, represented by its CEO Bocar A. BA attended the 19th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR19), which took place from July 9 to 12 in Port Vila, Vanuatu. As the chairman of the Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officer’s Meeting (“CRO”), Mr. BA Chaired the discussion of the industry that focused on the need to adopt collaborative approaches necessary for connecting the remaining 49% of the worlds’ population, still unable to benefit from the digital revolution. In his opening remarks, preceding a leaders’ debate, Mr. BA also drew attention to the globally important issue of protecting children in the digital space, and specifically called for action from governments to ratify an international “Child Safety On-line” declaration. Under the chairmanship of Mr. BA, the CRO Meeting called for new collaborative approaches to connect those who are still not able to benefit from the digital revolution, including a broader engagement of the public sector, as well as concerted efforts from all stakeholders of the ecosystem to facilitate financing of infrastructure expansion, particularly in areas with low commercial viability.
9th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO) & Industry Advisory Group for Development issues (IAGDI)
SSAMENA Telecommunications Council, represented by its CEO Bocar A. BA and Chief Economist Imme Philbeck, attended the 18th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR18), which took place on July 10-12, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. As the chairman to the Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officer’s Meeting (“CRO”) and the Industry Advisory Group on Development Issues (“IAGDI”) Meeting, Mr. BA moderated the discussion of the industry to identify and define priority areas for the work of the private sector groups. Mr. BA also shared perspectives of its members regarding new regulatory frontiers. Under the chairmanship of Mr. BA, the IAGDI meeting called for action on facilitating access to connectivity for everyone in a sustainable manner and identified the adoption of a multi-stakeholder engagement approach, the harnessing of the power of new technologies, and the establishment of an effective cross-sector collaboration –and cooperation framework to enable new business models, as key steps towards achieving this goal.
8th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers' (CRO8)
The CRO meeting brings together senior industry executives to share experiences and exchange ideas on how to strengthen the private sector's involvement and engagement in global, regional and national initiatives and to identify mechanisms to better foster an enabling environment for future development of the sector.
7th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO) Meeting
The CRO meeting brings together senior industry executives to share experiences and exchange ideas on how to strengthen the private sector’s involvement and engagement in global, regional and national initiatives and to identify mechanisms to better foster an enabling environment for future development of the sector.
6th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO) Meeting
The 6th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers' (CRO6) Meeting took place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on 11 May 2016 as part of the pre-event programme of the 16th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-16), 11-14 May 2016. The CRO meeting brings together senior industry executives to share experiences and exchange ideas on how to strengthen the private sector’s involvement and engagement in global, regional and national initiatives and to identify mechanisms to better foster an enabling environment for future development of the sector.
5th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO) Meeting
The 5th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO5) Meeting took place on 11 October 2015 in Budapest, Hungary, a day before ITU TELECOM World 2015 The Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO) Meeting brings together ITU-D Sector Members' senior Chief Regulatory and Public Affairs Officers to discuss common issues, share best practices and identify industry's perspectives regarding attracting investment; deploying extending and upgrading networks; spectrum management; public-private partnerships; and regulatory processes.
4th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO) Meeting
The 4th Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO5) Meeting took place on 8 June 2015 in Libreville, Gabon, as part of the Pre-event programme of the 15th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-15). The Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers (CRO) Meeting brings together ITU-D Sector Members' senior Chief Regulatory and Public Affairs Officers to discuss common issues, share best practices and identify industry's perspectives regarding attracting investment; deploying extending and upgrading networks; spectrum management; public-private partnerships; and regulatory processes.