Upcoming sessions

We are living in unprecedented times. Globalization, exponential technological change, climate crisis - and now COVID-19. However, to quote Albert Einstein: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity”. Our challenge is use the pandemic as an opportunity to change our societies, environment and lives for the better. The Ministerial Roundtable will bring together ministers, regulators and private sector leaders to examine the significance of connectivity in the light of the global pandemic and explore the future role of digital technologies in national digital strategies. It is also an opportunity for the public and the private sector to exchange views, align supply and demand in connectivity, and define a faster way for economic recovery through collaboration.

The knowledge shared and conclusions drawn within this high-level roundtable will be made available to anyone interested in seeing how the leaders of today define ourchanging digital needs and foresee our digital future.

Questions for ministers:

• What changes in policies have been/are being pursued as a result of COVID 19?
• Will national digital strategies need to be adapted going forward as a result of the pandemic – and if so, how?
• Which industry sectors will governments focus on following the global health crisis?
• What needs to be done to make digital technologies more accessible and affordable at a national level?

Question for regulators:

• How has the pandemic transformed regulatory priorities?
• What single regulatory action will in your opinion advance digitalization and connectivity for all?

Question for private sector executives:

• What are your company’s priorities to help accelerating economic recovery?
• What new business opportunities have arisen from the pandemic?
• How does the pandemic affect your company’s business model - and what changes may have to be made?
• Which products and services will drive economic uptake, and how will this affect the business models?

The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across the globe has highlighted the critical importance of digital technologies in connecting usfor health, work, education, information and communication at a uniquely stressful and difficult time. It has also clearly exposed the contrasts between connected and unconnected societies and individuals. For many, access to high-speed reliable connectivity, digital tools and skills has been a lifeline enabling work, study and social lives to continue – often with even greater ease andconvenience than before. But for those who have not been able to access, rely on or afford the benefits of digital technologies, the impact of the pandemic has been dramatic. The digital inequality gap is widening. How can governments and private sectors work together with the help of the international community to mobilize resources, invest in network deployment, and provide services and applications to close the digital divide?

• What are the best strategies and policies to reach the unconnected? Do we neednew, more focused business models?
• What are the most cost-effective and/or fit-for purpose new or emerging technologies?
• How can the costs of network deployment, operation and maintenance be cut?
• How can we ensure that new networks complement existing infrastructure?
• Is the current pandemic enough stimulus to drive demand, or are other demand-side initiatives needed? If so, what should they be, and who should be responsible?
• How can we foster the right digital skills and create the most appropriate content to drive awareness, demand and digital literacy?

We are living in unprecedented times. Globalization, exponential technological change, climate crisis - and now COVID-19. However, to quote Albert Einstein: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity”. Our challenge is use the pandemic as an opportunity to change our societies, environment and lives for the better. The Ministerial Roundtable will bring together ministers, regulators and private sector leaders to examine the significance of connectivity in the light of the global pandemic and explore the future role of digital technologies in national digital strategies. It is also an opportunity for the public and the private sector to exchange views, align supply and demand in connectivity, and define a faster way for economic recovery through collaboration.

The knowledge shared and conclusions drawn within this high-level roundtable will be made available to anyone interested in seeing how the leaders of today define ourchanging digital needs and foresee our digital future.

Questions for ministers:

• What changes in policies have been/are being pursued as a result of COVID 19?
• Will national digital strategies need to be adapted going forward as a result of the pandemic – and if so, how?
• Which industry sectors will governments focus on following the global health crisis?
• What needs to be done to make digital technologies more accessible and affordable at a national level?

Question for regulators:

• How has the pandemic transformed regulatory priorities?
• What single regulatory action will in your opinion advance digitalization and connectivity for all?

Question for private sector executives:

• What are your company’s priorities to help accelerating economic recovery?
• What new business opportunities have arisen from the pandemic?
• How does the pandemic affect your company’s business model - and what changes may have to be made?
• Which products and services will drive economic uptake, and how will this affect the business models?

We have entered the era of 5G. Its unprecedented potential to power the digital economy and transform industries, businesses andsocieties is becoming a reality in different markets and geographies. Which applications are driving demand and adoption at present?What is 5G’s key value proposition? Who are the main users of networks, services and applications – now, and in the future? What policy or regulatory approaches can promote cross-sector collaboration and encourage investment? How can 5G be employed toaddress basic humanitarian needs, rather than being limited to commercial and industrial growth? And how should industry leaders and policy makers address emerging concerns in areas such as exposure to EMF, privacy issues and network operational costs?

We are living in unprecedented times. Globalization, exponential technological change, climate crisis - and now COVID-19. However, to quote Albert Einstein: “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity”. Our challenge is use the pandemic as an opportunity to change our societies, environment and lives for the better. The Ministerial Roundtable will bring together ministers, regulators and private sector leaders to examine the significance of connectivity in the light of the global pandemic and explore the future role of digital technologies in national digital strategies. It is also an opportunity for the public and the private sector to exchange views, align supply and demand in connectivity, and define a faster way for economic recovery through collaboration.

The knowledge shared and conclusions drawn within this high-level roundtable will be made available to anyone interested in seeing how the leaders of today define ourchanging digital needs and foresee our digital future.

Questions for ministers:

• What changes in policies have been/are being pursued as a result of COVID 19?
• Will national digital strategies need to be adapted going forward as a result of the pandemic – and if so, how?
• Which industry sectors will governments focus on following the global health crisis?
• What needs to be done to make digital technologies more accessible and affordable at a national level?

Question for regulators:

• How has the pandemic transformed regulatory priorities?
• What single regulatory action will in your opinion advance digitalization and connectivity for all?

Question for private sector executives:

• What are your company’s priorities to help accelerating economic recovery?
• What new business opportunities have arisen from the pandemic?
• How does the pandemic affect your company’s business model - and what changes may have to be made?
• Which products and services will drive economic uptake, and how will this affect the business models?

As our increasingly connected digital world expands, so too does our vulnerability to cyber-attack at personal, industrial and national levels. Breaches in security, whether malicious or accidental, can lead to abuse and misuse of data, potentially putting ourfinances, health and personal lives at risk. This is particularly true now that the pandemic has moved so many of our business and social activities online. What role do simple “cyber hygiene” measures have to play in protecting us from cyber threats? Is “cyber immunity” possible – and if so, how can it be implemented? What other tools can we use to mitigate the risks during our online experience? What is the role of government, the private sector, or educational systems? Given the borderless,international nature of data flows, how can we best design and enforce regulations to protect end users and business data? How can global collaboration lead to the adoption of effective cybersecurity measures?

There is no doubting the growing momentum of tech startups. But despite increasing influxes of capital, questions remain on their ability to scale into new markets. This e-masterclass will provide best practices and guidelines to tech startups seeking international expansion. It will address the big challenges underlying successful internationalization and provide insights into how tech startups can create structures to support high growth and develop a successful, executable Go-to-Market Strategy. Experts will presentcase studies of tech startups, sharing their mistakes and successes. This e-masterclass is targeted at tech startups aiming to expand internationally, entrepreneurs, VCs, angel investors, tech hubs and anyone interested in the growing tech ecosystem.