{"id":96566,"date":"2026-02-03T14:14:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/?p=96566"},"modified":"2026-02-03T14:18:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:18:20","slug":"what-to-expect-from-the-gsma-ministerial-programme-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/what-to-expect-from-the-gsma-ministerial-programme-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"What to\u00a0expect from the GSMA Ministerial Programme 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The GSMA Ministerial Programme<\/a> returns to MWC Barcelona (2\u20134 March 2026), marking 20 years as the world\u2019s leading platform for digital policy dialogue. As technology advances at\u00a0a\u00a0pace and geopolitical dynamics shift, this year\u2019s Programme will focus on the global tech race, cohesive digital governance, and trust as the foundation of digital progress.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across two\u00a0dedicated stages and three days of high-level discussion, ministers,\u00a0regulators\u00a0and industry leaders will explore four core themes:\u00a0digital\u00a0leadership,\u00a0smart\u00a0regulation,\u00a0resilience and\u00a0trust, and\u00a0next-generation\u00a0technologies.\u00a0Here is what to expect from the agenda<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digital leadership<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a world defined by heightened geopolitical competition and rapid change, connectivity has become a strategic asset. The opening session of the Ministerial Programme will bring together senior leaders from government, industry and multilateral organisations to reflect on how global digital policy cooperation and stronger public-private partnerships can drive prosperity, resilience and inclusive growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As digital sovereignty rises to the top of national agendas, a critical question emerges: can autonomy coexist with openness? Speakers will explore how governments can assert strategic leadership while preserving scale, interoperability and innovation-friendly digital ecosystems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 2025 and 2030, job creation and destruction linked to structural labour-market transformation could affect 22% of today\u2019s total jobs. As demand for digital skills accelerates, how can education systems, training programmes and labour policies adapt? Governments, industry and academia will explore how to build sustainable talent pipelines, strengthen economic resilience and close the tech skills gap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smart regulation<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With massive investment required for next-generation connectivity, policymakers are reassessing whether existing regulatory models remain fit for purpose. One session will examine whether current competition frameworks are supporting, or holding back, digital competitiveness, and what a truly pro-investment, pro-competition regulatory environment should look like today.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention will turn to the EU\u2019s Digital Networks Act (DNA). Framed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity, the DNA aims to simplify regulation, accelerate investment and enable the deployment of next-generation networks. EU policymakers and industry leaders will assess whether the proposal delivers the scale, cohesion and regulatory clarity needed to close Europe\u2019s investment gap, foster innovation and restore global digital leadership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agenda will also address the rapid emergence of direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity. While D2D promises to extend coverage to underserved areas, its success depends on a carefully designed policy. This session will explore how to develop harmonised, forward-looking frameworks that enable innovation while safeguarding terrestrial networks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Resilience and trust<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust in the digital ecosystem is under strain. According to GASA\u2019s Global State of Scams 2025 report, an estimated US$442 billion has been lost to\u00a0scams\u00a0worldwide in the past year alone. The United Against Scams session will examine multistakeholder approaches to tackling online fraud, highlighting the mobile sector\u2019s commitments and the role of governments and wider ecosystem players in protecting consumers.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resilience of digital infrastructure is also being tested. From cyberattacks to climate-related disruptions, risks to critical systems are growing \u2014 yet responsibilities for protection remain fragmented. Discussions will explore the evolving threat landscape, the rising cost of cybersecurity, and how policy and partnerships must evolve to safeguard essential digital lifelines for citizens and businesses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With increasing calls for platforms and networks to be held accountable for online harms, policymakers are redefining the boundaries of safety, privacy and responsibility. Discussions will focus on how to design adaptable, rights-respecting regulation that keeps pace with evolving risks without undermining openness or global interoperability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next-generation tech<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As AI reshapes economies and societies, the Programme will explore what it takes to achieve global AI readiness. This session will examine how governments and industry can create the enabling conditions for AI adoption \u2014 from infrastructure and skills to investment and governance \u2014 ensuring benefits are shared across regions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attention will also turn to spectrum requirements for 6G. With countries already developing spectrum roadmaps for the 2030s, policymakers will discuss how much spectrum will be needed to support AI-native networks and new applications such as XR, sensing and holographic communications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Programme will also look beyond today\u2019s \u201csmart\u201d technologies. From quantum computing and robotics to synthetic biology and autonomous systems, innovation is accelerating faster than governance frameworks can adapt. This forward-looking session will explore how policymakers can prepare for the next wave of innovation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow the debate<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The GSMA Ministerial Programme is an invitation-only event at MWC Barcelona that brings together senior government and industry leaders from around the world. If you are not attending in person, follow the session highlights on LinkedIn using #MWC26MP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The GSMA Ministerial Programme returns to MWC Barcelona (2\u20134 March 2026), marking 20 years as the world\u2019s leading platform for digital policy dialogue. As technology advances at\u00a0a\u00a0pace and geopolitical dynamics shift, this year\u2019s Programme will focus on the global tech race, cohesive digital governance, and trust as the foundation of digital progress.\u00a0 Across two\u00a0dedicated stages […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":96567,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[58],"tags":[],"algolia_discover_type":[12147],"class_list":["post-96566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","algolia_discover_type-article"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat to\u00a0expect from the GSMA Ministerial Programme 2026 - Public Policy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The GSMA Ministerial Programme returns to MWC Barcelona (2\u20134 March 2026), marking 20 years as the world\u2019s leading platform for digital policy dialogue.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/what-to-expect-from-the-gsma-ministerial-programme-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What to\u00a0expect from the GSMA Ministerial Programme 2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The GSMA Ministerial Programme returns to MWC Barcelona (2\u20134 March 2026), marking 20 years as the world\u2019s leading platform for digital policy dialogue.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/what-to-expect-from-the-gsma-ministerial-programme-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Public Policy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-03T14:14:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-03T14:18:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gsma.com\/solutions-and-impact\/connectivity-for-good\/public-policy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/MP25-website-1024x341.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"341\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"iivanov@gsma.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"iivanov@gsma.com\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What to\u00a0expect from the GSMA Ministerial Programme 2026 - 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