Oct 05, Colombo: The 12th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) held in Colombo concluded Thursday with endorsing a set of regulatory Best Practice Guidelines designed to provide a framework for innovation, investment and competition in cloud infrastructure and services while at the same time ensuring protection of consumer interests.

International delegates participated in the three-day Symposium have recognized the enormous potential of cloud computing for promoting wider, lower-cost access to information and communication technology (ICT), while stressing the importance of close collaboration between governments, industry and consumer groups in promoting data security and privacy and greater confidence in cloud services.

A total of 446 participants from almost 100 countries attended the annual regulatory meeting held in the Hilton Hotel in Colombo.

The participants have sought to forge a common vision around strategies to promote digital opportunities through new broadband-based platforms, while getting to grips with the often complex regulatory implications of cloud-based service provision.

The Symposium opened Tuesday (02) under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was chaired by the Secretary to the President and the Chairman of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) Lalith Weeratunga.

A two-day Global Regulators-Industry Dialogue (GRID) in parallel to the Symposium has covered a broad range of hot topics, including net neutrality, international roaming, cyber security, IP interconnection, and new partnership models to promote investment in new network infrastructure.

In his closing remarks Thursday Director of ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau Brahima Sanou has said that the positive response to this year's GSR has confirmed the event's continuing relevance to those whose decisions shape today's and tomorrow's global ICT markets.

Expressing his appreciation to the co-host TRCSL for its support and exceptional hospitality during the three-day event, Sanou has said that "Sri Lanka has proved not just a beautiful and gracious venue but a very attractive destination for an international event like this one because of its ideal geographical location between east and west."

"Our hosts have been exemplary terms of their professionalism, their generosity, and the commitment they have shown to making this event a resounding success," he has commented.

The 13th Global Symposium for Regulators will be held in Warsaw, Poland, from 3 - 5 July 2013, at the invitation of Polish authorities.