GSMA and ITU Align Doha Events to Amplify Global Digital Policy Influence — The GSM Association

Event summary

MWC26 Doha and ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) will co-locate in November 2026, marking the first joint event of its kind.
MWC26 Doha runs November 8-10, adjacent to PP-26 (November 9-27), both at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.
GSMA Ministerial Programme returns to shape digital governance priorities, following 2025 debut with 60 delegations from 49 countries.
ITU PP-26 convenes 194 Member States and 1,000+ organizations to set global telecom policy and strategy.

The big picture

This co-location represents a strategic consolidation of influence in global digital policy, merging GSMA's industry showcase with ITU's regulatory authority. The move underscores the growing intersection of private sector innovation and government oversight in shaping the future of connectivity. With 194 nations and 1,000+ organizations involved, the event could become a pivotal forum for resolving cross-border digital governance challenges.

What we're watching

Policy Alignment: How the co-location will impact the speed of global telecom policy harmonization, particularly in spectrum management and digital infrastructure standards.
Industry-Government Synergy: Whether the joint event can sustain meaningful collaboration between private sector innovators and policymakers beyond the conference.
Qatar's Digital Ambitions: The pace at which Qatar advances its Digital Agenda 2030 through high-profile international events like this.