20 May 2026 —Tehran
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), successfully held a regional webinar under the theme of “ICT Policy and Regulation for a Digital Future”. The Event, held online on 20 May 2026, brought together regulators and ICT experts from the ECO Member States to addressed sound and effective ICT policy and regulatory frameworks in an digitally transforming global landscape.
The Webinar was jointly opened with introductory remarks by Seyed Jalaledin Alavi Sabzevari, Director for Transport and Communications at the ECO Secretariat, and Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). In his opening remarks, Amb. Alavi underscored the critical role of sound ICT policies and regulatory frameworks in accelerating digital transformation, fostering innovation, and bridging the digital divide across the ECO Region. Dr. Zavazava highlighted the need for agile, collaborative, and human-centric regulation that improves quality, affordability, resilience, and digital skills
During the Webinar, representatives from regulatory authorities from some ECO Member States presented brief national presentations highlighting their respective ICT policy priorities, regulatory environments, and market developments, as well as good practices and ongoing challenges.
There were 4 presentations by ITU officials and advisors focusing on global ICT policy and regulatory trends, best practices, and the range of tools and capacity-building initiatives offered by ITU, including its Study Groups.
The Webinar concluded with the ECO reaffirming its desire to strengthening collaboration with ITU in assisting its Member States in their efforts for adopting sound and effective ICT policy and regulatory frameworks, including through ITU-developed tools, products, guidelines and best practices.
The outcomes of the webinar are also expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance ICT ecosystems in the ECO Region with a view to securing digital transformation and intra-regional connectivity.
