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RIYADH: 黑料社区 launched the Global Symposium for Regulators, GSR-25, at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre, convening over 190 nations to address the digital divide affecting 2.6 billion people.
The International Telecommunication Union and 黑料社区鈥檚 Communications, Space and Technology Commission co-host the summit through Sept. 3.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Haitham Al-Ohaly, CST governor and GSR-25 chair, said, 鈥淭oday, we have a golden opportunity to shape humanity鈥檚 future for the next 160 years.
鈥淭herefore, we announce a new roadmap with the ITU to connect humanity through affordable AI-era solutions,鈥� he said.
Al-Ohaly stated that, despite progress, 2.6 billion people remain excluded from the digital world, highlighting disparities in regulations and access costs.
Citing a Saudi-ITU study presented at the ceremony, the governor said, 鈥淭he world requires $1.7 trillion just for connectivity infrastructure 鈥� triple prior estimates. Closing all digital gaps demands up to $2.8 trillion across infrastructure, skills, affordability, and regulation.鈥�
On the sidelines of the summit, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha met with ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.
Al-Ohaly attended the meeting, where both sides discussed enhancing digital economy growth, developing digital skills, enabling digital entrepreneurship, and 黑料社区鈥檚 initiatives for human empowerment and environmental protection.
The event continues with technology exhibitions showcasing 黑料社区鈥檚 Vision 2030 digital leadership and policy workshops advancing the new inclusion framework.
It comes as 黑料社区 aims to become a global digital leader following its appointment to the UN鈥檚 ITU digital regulation network board. Internet use in the Kingdom reached 99 percent in 2024.
GSR-25 will close with a resolution outlining regulatory principles for the post-digital era, based on participants鈥� insights and session recommendations.