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1 2 ABOUT THE MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME The Ministerial Programme at Mobile World Congress is an influential forum offering senior government representatives an opportunity to expand their knowledge, debate current issues and engage with mobile industry experts on regulatory and policy topics. Since launching in 2006, the Ministerial Programme has grown in popularity and scope each year. In 2017, the event welcomed nearly 1,700 senior-level participants, including representatives from 166 governments and international organisations, as well as the world s most influential telecommunications leaders. By 2020, almost three quarters of the world s population 5.7 billion people will subscribe to mobile services. The mobile ecosystem has created a global digital platform that is increasingly connecting everyone to everything. To ensure the digital economy and opportunities are inclusive for all, fundamental policy changes are necessary. Structured around three key themes, Ministerial Programme 2018 will explore our industry s vision and the actions that are driving digital usage across society: Day One Creating a Better Future In creating a world where we are all connected, how does the promise of 5G and a digital future impact communities socially and economically to ensure no one is left behind? On 26-28 February 2018, the Ministerial Programme will return to Hall 4 of Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain. Day Two Modernising Policy for the Digital Era With the digital era upon us, what are the best practices for updating regulation, ensuring smart data privacy and promoting digital engagement in our increasingly connected world? Day Three Realising the Power of Mobile To unleash the full potential of mobile connectivity, how is the mobile industry working with government and other industries to increase citizen engagement, tackling the lack of digital skills and locally relevant content?
3 4 WHO ATTENDS THE MINISTERIAL PROGRAMME? In 2017, the Ministerial Programme attracted: 137 REPRESENTING COUNTRIES 78 HEADS OF REGULATORY AUTHORITIES 60 MINISTERS 29 INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS NEARLY 1,700 ATTENDEES MORE THAN 150 CEOs MORE THAN 100 SPEAKERS In 2018, the invitation is open to: National telecommunications, finance and health ministries Telecommunications regulatory authorities, data protection authorities and central banks Senior representatives from selected international organisations and intergovernmental bodies C-level and senior regulatory representatives from the mobile industry, including network operators and vendors
5 6 PROGRAMME OVERVIEW This year s Ministerial Programme will bring together senior government and industry leaders to explore how mobile connectivity is driving innovation and growth across multiple sectors, and exchange ideas on the policies needed to create a better future. The 2018 Ministerial Programme will feature: A comprehensive three-day agenda centred around three key themes: Creating a Better Future, Modernising Policy for the Digital Era and Realising the Power of Mobile. Calls to action for the mobile industry at WRC-19: What is the industry s long-term roadmap and how can we achieve global harmonisation? Digital health and education: How can ICT ministers work in partnership with health and education ministries to support the expansion of their services? Ask the Regulator: A highly interactive format by regulators, for regulators presenting innovative tools and strategies for improving and streamlining regulation. Who is leading the investment strategy? How can government, banks, investors and mobile operators drive the digital transformation in an economically viable way? New Prediction Panel: What do we forecast for the industry in 2019? This year s Programme will conclude by offering five industry predictions for government and industry leaders to debate. Senior roundtables and bilateral meetings to facilitate dialogue between governments, the GSMA and other representatives from the mobile industry. Extensive networking opportunities including cocktail receptions each evening.
7 8 Day One Creating a Better Future Day Two Modernising Policy for the Digital Era Day Three Realising the Power of Mobile 10.00 11.00 WRC-19: Safeguarding 5G and the Future of Mobile Policymaking for the Dynamic Digital Age Expanding Digital Services to the Next Billion 11.30 13.00 Embedding Sustainability into Mobile Business Models Transforming Communities with Internet of Things (IoT) Regulating Cross-Border Data Flows Policies to Expand Access to Mobile Accelerating Digital Health through the Power of Collaboration Educate to Innovate: Opening New Markets to the Digital Revolution 13.00 14.30 Networking Lunch Networking Lunch Networking Lunch Ask the Regulator: 14.30 15.30 Supporting the Transition to 5G New Approaches to Policy and Regulation Capturing the Big Data Potential for Social Good 16.00 17.30 Who is Leading the Investment Strategy? Leaving No One Behind: Ensuring Digital Inclusion for All Building Trust through Smart Data Privacy Policies Developing Regulatory Skills to Encourage Innovation Prediction Panel: What Expectations Can We Set for the Industry for the Year Ahead? 17.30 19.00 Cocktail Reception Cocktail Reception Cocktail Reception
9 10 GOVERNMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS The GSMA s Government Excellence Awards recognise national governments that have demonstrated world-class leadership in telecommunications regulatory policy and practice in the previous year. In 2018, there will be two awards: the Government Leadership Award and the Chairman s Award for Government Innovation in an Emerging Market. If you would like to see your government s achievements celebrated in a prestigious global forum attended by your peers, we encourage you to nominate your country for the Government Leadership Award. Nominations are free and close Wednesday 22nd November 2017. Note: the Chairman s Award is a discretionary award given by our Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, and is not open to entries. The winners will be announced at Mobile World Congress in February 2018. For more information, please visit http://gsma.at/govtaward
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