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 17th edition of the Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) was held in Nassau, Bahamas, from 11 to 14 July 2017. The theme of GSR-17 was Living in a World of Digital Opportunities. A series of GSR pre-events took place on 11 and the morning of 12 July. These  included a Thematic Pre-Conference, a Global Dialogue on Digital Financial Inclusion focusing on cybersecurity, the Regional Regulatory Associations Meeting (RA) and the Private Sector Chief Regulatory Officers Meeting.

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