ITU Calls on Regulators to Lead in Building Inclusive Digital Ecosystems

The Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-25), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from August 31 to September 3, 2025, concluded with the release of new Best Practice Guidelines aimed at strengthening the role of regulators as digital ecosystem builders. The event, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) , brought together global regulatory leaders to discuss how digital transformation is reshaping markets, economies, and societies.

In his foreword, Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau, underscored that regulators must now do more than manage change in telecom and ICT markets—they must actively shape resilient and inclusive digital ecosystems. He noted that the guidelines are a “timely and practical direction” for regulators ready to lead in building future-ready digital economies.

H.E. Eng. Haitham Alohaly, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission and Chair of GSR-25, added that the guidelines signal a clear call to action: regulators must evolve into ecosystem builders capable of anchoring innovation while upholding public good amid accelerating technological shifts.

The 2025 guidelines build on more than two decades of GSR best practices, offering a framework for regulators worldwide.

They focus on five key areas:

• Fostering Innovation in Regulatory Approaches: Regulators are urged to embed innovation into their core practices through pilot projects, regulatory sandboxes, and light-touch rules. They are also encouraged to adopt agile frameworks and use foresight tools such as horizon scanning to anticipate emerging risks and opportunities.
• Adapting and Enhancing Regulatory Capacity: Policymakers are called upon to empower regulators with mandates that reflect convergence across digital infrastructure, platforms, and services. Investments in human and financial resources, cross-sectoral coordination, and evidence-based decision-making are highlighted as essential for future-ready governance.
• Leveraging Emerging Technologies for Regulatory Excellence: The guidelines recommend the integration of AI, big data, blockchain, and IoT into regulatory oversight. These tools can enhance compliance monitoring, streamline processes, and make engagement with citizens more transparent. Regulators are also encouraged to institutionalize experimentation through sandboxes and living labs.
• Strengthening Cross-Border Cooperation: With digital services transcending borders, regulators are urged to enhance international collaboration on spectrum, cybersecurity, AI governance, and data protection. Shared standards, open data, and interoperability-by-design are highlighted as key strategies.
• Way Forward: The guidelines emphasize that regulation can serve as a lever for responsible innovation, economic growth, and public trust. By moving from rule-setters to ecosystem builders, regulators can ensure that digital development leaves no one behind while reinforcing global cooperation in governing interconnected digital spaces.

The GSR-25 Guidelines also stress inclusivity, encouraging regulators to ensure that decisions reflect the needs of underserved groups, small businesses, and local innovators. By aligning regulation with socio-economic development goals, regulators can help unlock digital opportunities that enhance lives and drive sustainable growth.

The ITU emphasized that these guidelines, informed by real-world regulatory experiences and global consultation, are designed to be a practical tool for regulators worldwide. As digital transformation accelerates, the message from Riyadh is clear: regulators must innovate, collaborate, and lead in shaping digital ecosystems that are inclusive, resilient, and future-ready