As the curtains close on another successful Ministerial Programme at MWC Barcelona, it’s time to reflect on the critical discussions that took place. This year’s programme brought together 188 delegations representing 148 countries and 40 intergovernmental organisations—a testament to the global commitment to shaping the future of digital policy and connectivity. Across multiple high-level sessions, key themes emerged that will define the trajectory of the digital economy, AI, connectivity, and regulation in the years ahead.
Global tech governance: A call for collaboration
The opening session set the stage for the week, addressing the complexities of global tech governance in an age of rapid innovation and geopolitical tensions. The GSMA’s Chief Regulatory Officer, John Giusti, outlined the mobile industry policy priorities – attracting network investment, unlocking the opportunities of 5G, closing the usage gap, and fostering inclusive and responsible AI innovation.
High-level speakers emphasised the need for global cooperation while ensuring that governance frameworks keep pace with emerging technologies. The call for harmonised policies, transparency, and responsible innovation resonated throughout the discussions. The session underscored the role of governments in fostering innovation-friendly regulations while addressing challenges such as cybersecurity, digital inclusion, and ethical AI deployment.
After the vibrant panel discussion, the GSMA presented the GLOMO Government Leadership Award to Brazil, recognising the government’s commitment to a digitally inclusive future.
AI: From trust to transformation
AI was present in all discussions at the Ministerial Programme, and rightly so. The combination of AI and 5G is projected to contribute $18 trillion to the global economy by 2035, transforming industries and societies, but trust remains critical in its adoption. The balance between AI-driven innovation and the need for ethical, responsible deployment was at the forefront of discussions. AI governance must be principles-based, focusing on transparency, accountability, and fairness. Additionally, participants highlighted the necessity of global cooperation to prevent fragmentation of AI regulation, ensuring a harmonised approach that fosters both innovation and societal trust. Building confidence in AI-powered applications will be essential as AI becomes more embedded in critical sectors.
AI’s dual role as a challenge and a solution to the climate crisis was also discussed. AI rapidly increases energy demands, with data centres accounting for 1.5% of global electricity use and growing. However, AI has enormous potential to enhance energy efficiency, balance renewables on grids, and optimise resource use across sectors, such as agriculture and mining. The consensus? AI will be net positive for climate action, but scaling innovation requires financing, skills development, and responsible governance.
Investment to fuel the digital economy
Sessions highlighted that connectivity is the foundation of the digital economy. However, continued investment in the underlying infrastructure is vital as internet usage grows and applications demand more seamless connectivity. A new report launched at the event highlighted that mobile network operators (MNOs) contribute 85% of the digital infrastructure that carries the internet, far exceeding the investments made by other players, such as cloud service providers and content and application providers (CAPs). To maximise investment, policymakers must create an environment that supports growth. To this end, the European Union’s renewed focus on telco investment through the Digital Networks Act (DNA) points to the need for simpler regulations, greater spectrum availability, and a true single telecom market for Europe to remain competitive.
Spectrum policy was acknowledged as a key investment lever, demonstrating how pro-investment spectrum policy and pricing can accelerate 5G deployment and the digitalisation of nations.
The future of regulation: Adapting to complexity
In the signature “Ask the Regulator” session, heads of national regulatory authorities (NRAs) focused on how regulators can keep pace with the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Regulators are at the frontline of translating policy into action—implementing rules to create fair, competitive, and consumer-friendly markets. However, regulating an industry that is evolving faster than ever remains a significant challenge. The call was clear—regulation must evolve, breaking free from traditional silos and embracing a holistic approach to accommodate converging markets and new technologies.
The next wave of transformative technologies, such as satellite, AI and quantum computing, will redefine connectivity. Still, governance frameworks are needed to mitigate risks, from widening digital divides to cybersecurity threats. Discussions concluded that human-centric policies, international collaboration, and responsible governance will be crucial to harness the full potential of emerging tech.
Looking ahead to MWC 26
The Ministerial Programme at MWC 25 reinforced the importance of cross-sector collaboration, forward-thinking policy, and responsible innovation. As we look to the future, AI, connectivity, sustainability, and digital inclusion will remain at the forefront of the global agenda. With next year marking the 20th edition of the Ministerial Programme, the stage is set for even deeper discussions and transformative decisions. See you at the GSMA Ministerial Programme, 2-4 March 2026!
Read more takeaways from the Ministerial Programme