The ITU-EKIP Regional Regulatory Forum for Europe 2024, organized by the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (EKIP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), kicked off yesterday in Budva.
This year’s forum is themed “Vision of Connectivity: Innovating Future Regulation and Security of Telecommunications.”
The forum builds on the outcomes of the 2024 Global Symposium for Regulators and Best Practice Guidelines, serving as a crucial event within the ITU Regional Initiative for Europe, titled “Development of Digital Infrastructure.” The initiative aims to accelerate gigabit connectivity by developing resilient and synergistic infrastructure to ensure comprehensive coverage and promote sustainable digital transformation.
Jaroslav Ponder, Director of the ITU Office for Europe, noted, “The ITU has long collaborated with EKIP to provide a platform for regulators from the region and beyond to discuss regulatory trends and drive improvements. This conference is particularly significant as it follows the adoption of the Global Digital Agreement at the UN Summit on the Future. Many topics discussed in New York will also be addressed here. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with EKIP and the Government of Montenegro, as well as presenting the draft Broadband Connectivity Plan.”
Milan Radulović, President of the EKIP Council, opened the forum, expressing satisfaction that it attracted representatives from regulatory agencies across Central and Southeast Europe, national operators, the academic community, including the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (CANU), universities, and telecommunications equipment manufacturers.
“We have over 150 participants from various countries, including Central and Eastern Europe, as well as representatives from international organizations in Switzerland, France, Turkey and Cyprus. Learning from their experiences will significantly enhance our agency’s capacity to strengthen knowledge and improve activities related to regulations, particularly in new technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and 5G networks,” Radulović said.
He also mentioned that one outcome of the forum would be to boost collaboration between the academic community and businesses. “CANU has initiated a memorandum with EKIP, signed in June, and we anticipate mutual cooperation on upcoming projects. We have established coordinating bodies and will begin activities in October, which I hope will lead to numerous joint projects, benefiting the state and users of services from national operators,” he added.
Professor Igor Đurović from CANU expressed optimism about this collaboration. “Next year, we aim to explore several directions, identifying significant academic topics and promoting a project of great importance for EKIP, which would also facilitate training for young researchers in telecommunications. The field is dynamic, with market and economic factors driving changes that can have both positive and negative societal impacts. By working together, we can better navigate the increasingly challenging environment ahead,” Đurović stated.
Darko Grgurović, Executive Director of EKIP, also addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of participant contributions. “The quality and significance of this conference are greatly enhanced by the presentations and shared experiences. I am confident that we will leave Budva with new insights to improve the electronic communications sector in our respective countries,” he remarked.
The significance of the forum was echoed by representatives from regulatory bodies across Europe. “Montenegro should continue hosting such conferences, as they provide an excellent opportunity for networking, sharing experiences, and discussing not just telecommunications but also spectrum management. While our countries are small and have borders, radio waves know no boundaries. We must manage the spectrum collectively. Establishing communication with EU member states is crucial, as we can share our experiences in areas like 5G networks and satellite communications,” noted Eric Fournier, Director of the Spectrum Planning and International Relations Directorate, ANFR.
As an EU member, Cyprus’s regulatory organization also supports Montenegro in this field.
