The GSR is an annual event bringing together heads of national regulatory authorities from both developed and developing countries and has earned a reputation as the global venue for regulators to share their views and experiences as part of the worldwide community of regulators.  The meeting fosters an open dialogue between regulators and key ICT stakeholders: the private sector, investors and consumers.

The 16th edition of the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) was held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, from 11 to 14 May 2016. The theme of GSR-16 was Be Empowered, Be Included! : Building Blocks for Smart Societies in a Connected World. A series of GSR pre-events took place on 11 May. They included a thematic Pre-Conference for a Global Dialogue on Digital Financial Inclusion with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and in collaboration with other partners. The Regional Regulatory Associations Meeting and Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers Meeting was also held on 11 May.

The Global Regulators-Industry Dialogue (GRID) sessions of the GSR, 12 and 13 May, were open to regulators, policy makers and members of ITU's Development Sector.On 14 May, two parallel tracks were held, a Regulators' track, open only to regulators and policy makers, and an Industry track, open to ITU-D sector members, in addition to the final closing ceremony open to all participants.