ComCom Chairman and Commissioner Participate in the 2026 ITU-EKIP Regional Regulatory Forum for Europe

Chairman of the Communications Commission Goga Gulordava, together with ComCom member Ekaterine Imedadze, participated in the ITU-EKIP Regional Regulatory Forum for Europe 2026, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Montenegro’s Electronic Communications and Postal Services Agency (EKIP). 

During the forum’s opening session, ComCom Chairman Goga Gulordava delivered a welcoming address, speaking about the role of regulatory authorities in the communications sector, the dynamics of the industry, and the need to be prepared for change. He highlighted the importance of developing reliable, accessible and secure digital services and strengthening international cooperation. 

“In a rapidly evolving technological environment, markets are changing and people need reliable, accessible and secure digital services. As regulators, we must be prepared for these changes. At the Communications Commission, we view such preparedness as openness to learning, adapting and cooperating. We need to understand and keep up with new trends and listen to consumers and industry representatives. We must also be ready to update our approaches when necessary. Today’s challenges are not confined by national borders. No regulator has all the answers. That is precisely why regional cooperation is so important,” Goga Gulordava stated. 

As part of the ITU-EKIP Forum, member of the Communications Commission Ekaterine Imedadze took part, in the session titled “Strengthening Convergence of Regulatory Approaches Across Institutions and Borders” on behalf of the Eastern Partnership Electronic Communications Regulators Network (EaPeReg). The session focussed on the outcomes of the 26^th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR-26), the Best Practice Guidelines adopted during GSR-26, and strengthening coordination in the regulation of digital markets. 

During the session, Ekaterine Imedadze noted that digital markets extend beyond national borders and the competencies of individual institutions, underscoring the need for cooperation and information exchange among the regulators. Using the Digital Networks Act and direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity as examples, she highlighted the importance of introducing common European principles and noted that flexibility in taking account of the specific characteristics of individual national markets can also help countries address sectoral developments and new challenges. 

A representative of the Spectrum and Technology Department of the Communications Commission delivered a presentation during a special forum session dedicated to the practical application of the Connectivity Planning Platform (CPP). The session examined how CPP can be used to identify gaps in telecommunications infrastructure, plan broadband connectivity strategies, and mobilise the necessary investments. 

During the forum, participants exchanged views and best practices on trends and developments in regulation, and discussed important issues including universal and meaningful connectivity, sustainable digital infrastructure, market monitoring, consumer and consumer-rights protection, changing regulatory priorities against the backdrop of rapidly evolving telecommunications markets, and other topics. The forum also featured presentations of new ITU tools, including the Global Economic Model Study (GEMS). 

The forum featured sessions addressing key topics such as service quality and resilience; promoting effective competition in the telecom markets; defining regulatory priorities and objectives in line with consumer expectations; analytical and AI tools needed to monitor and measure digital markets; fostering innovation in the development of mobile networks, satellite connectivity, data centers and cloud technologies; creating an enabling environment for universal coverage; devising strategies for broadband development in the region; trends in digital infrastructure development; strategies for regulating new telecommunications technologies; and other issues. 

The 2026 ITU-EKIP Regional Regulatory Forum for Europe aims to bring together stakeholders in the field of electronic communications in the European region—including regulatory authorities, experts, operators, industry leaders and representatives of international organisations, and facilitate dialogue around the forum’s central theme: “From Global Principles to Regional Practice: Shaping Effective Digital Markets.” The event is based on ITU initiatives for the European region for 2026–2029 developed within the framework of the World Telecommunication Development Conferences (WTDC), particularly the ITU Regional Initiative for Europe on Digital Infrastructure Development.