Page 9 - SAMENA Trends - August-September 2025

SAMENA COUNCIL ADVOCACY SAMENA TRENDS

During GSR-25, the SAMENA Council also convened a high- play a leading role in global AI governance
dialogues.
impact panel titled "Designing Responsible AI Governance:
From Principles to Practice." This session highlighted the A significant contribution came from
the SAMENA Council – chaired Industry
Middle East and Africa (MEA) region’s growing relevance Advisory Group on Development Issues and
in shaping responsible, inclusive, and interoperable AI Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers
(IAGDI/CRO), whose discussions resulted
governance frameworks on the global stage in an outcome statement summarizing
private sector priorities. These included the
and innovation, particularly in areas such and fair approaches to managing electronic integration of complementary technologies
as AI and big data, as key to empowering waste within a circular economy. to improve geographic and population
societies, strengthening economies, coverage, streamlined authorization
and ensuring that digital transformation The Symposium also hosted a meeting of processes, spectrum predictability,
delivers equitable benefits. the Digital Regulation Network (DRN) and infrastructure sharing, investment-friendly
Regional Regulatory Associations, chaired policies, and governance frameworks
Since its establishment by the ITU in 2000, by Eng. Omar Abdulrahman Alrejraje, that promote trust and innovation. The
the Global Symposium for Regulators has Deputy Governor of CST’s Regulation and statement was presented during the
become a cornerstone of global regulatory Competition Sector and representative of closing ceremony by Bocar BA, Chairman
dialogue and progress. ITU’s Director of the the Arab Regulatory Network. This meeting of the IAGDI-CRO and CEO of the SAMENA
Telecommunication Development Bureau explored how regulatory cooperation Council.
(BTD), Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, across sectors and borders can accelerate
called the Best Practice Guidelines a sustainable digital transformation. Another
chronicle of our digital age and praised highlight was the Heads of Regulators The GSR-25 outcomes
GSR for its role in supporting regulators Executive Roundtable, where participants uphold that effective reg-
amid continuous waves of technological shared strategies for embedding innovation
change. He expressed appreciation to into the core of regulatory work and ulation is not only a tech-
the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi formally adopted the GSR-25 Best Practice nical exercise but also a
Arabia for hosting this milestone edition of Guidelines.
the Symposium. foundation for equitable
During GSR-25, the SAMENA Council digital transformation.
Alongside the main program, several also convened a high-impact panel titled
important initiatives and meetings took "Designing Responsible AI Governance:
place at GSR-25. ITU and CST launched From Principles to Practice." This session The Symposium also featured a special
the second edition of Policy Practices for highlighted the Middle East and Africa session of the Network of Women
E-Waste Management, a practical guide (MEA) region’s growing relevance in shaping (NoW) in the ITU Telecommunication
with an interactive toolkit designed to responsible, inclusive, and interoperable Development Sector, which addressed
support regulators in developing balanced AI governance frameworks on the global inclusive regulation, the role of artificial
stage. The panel examined how AI intelligence in building green and trusted
governance needs to transition from high- digital environments, and the importance
A significant contribution level principles to practical implementation. of women’s leadership in digital policy.
came from the SAMENA Discussions covered a broad range As the 25 edition of the Global Symposium
of topics, including the development
th
Council – chaired Indus- of national AI strategies, cross-border for Regulators concluded, it reaffirmed the
try Advisory Group on regulatory cooperation, and the use of ITU’s and the global regulatory community’s
risk-tiering approaches to categorize and
Development Issues and manage AI systems based on their potential shared commitment to enabling
meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable
Private Sector Chief Reg- impact. Emphasis was placed on ensuring connectivity. The GSR-25 outcomes uphold
that governance frameworks are agile
ulatory Officers (IAGDI/ and future-proof, capable of addressing that effective regulation is not only a
technical exercise but also a foundation for
CRO), whose discussions both current challenges and emerging equitable digital transformation. Looking
risks—particularly in the context of rapidly
ahead, the lessons and partnerships forged
resulted in an outcome advancing generative AI technologies. The in Riyadh will continue to guide efforts to
statement summarizing session served as a platform for sharing build digital societies where no one is left
regional experiences and best practices,
behind.
private sector priorities. reinforcing the MEA region's potential to

9 AUG-SEP 2025