Gustavo Osta, ILG 2022, is the new Uruguay National Director of Telecommunications and Audiovisual Communication Services
After three years as Vice President of the State Railway Administration (AFE), Gustavo Osta, ILG 2022, was appointed by the Presidency of Uruguay as National Director of Telecommunications and Audiovisual Communication Services (DINATEL).
By ILG Alumni Network
Gustavo Osta assumes this new position to achieve the challenge of strengthening the telecommunications infrastructure by promoting the audiovisual and video game industry and collaborating in the mainstreaming of the human rights, gender, and inclusion approach in journalistic treatment as part of the policy agenda for 2024.
The key challenges that Gustavo will face during his role as National Director of Telecommunications and Audiovisual Communication Services lie mainly within the areas of connectivity, e-governance, data governance, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. The connectivity must become more significant and inclusive, closing the digital gender gap. The communication between the government and the citizens needs to further improve to advance the digital identity. Additionally, there is a need to expand citizen’s confidence in data protection and the transparency of data use. Finally, the risks of Artificial Intelligence must be mitigated, and the opportunities it presents must be taken advantage of to improve citizen communication.
The DINATEL team has defined objectives in these management areas. In the area of telecommunications and ICT, they hope to promote technological advancement by improving the infrastructure and quality of connectivity. They also seek to ensure the diversity and pluralism of audiovisual communication services for the full exercise of citizens' rights to information, communication, and freedom of expression. In the audiovisual sector, they hope to promote and support the development of the national content and application industry. They also aspire to promote the development of the video game sector and support the process of strengthening the network of these companies. They will design policies and action plans to promote the universalization of access to ICT, improve the supply, diversity, quality and cost of services. To achieve these objectives, the DINATEL team will work with other specialized national and international organizations.
Before this appointment, Gustavo held various prominent positions, including the vice presidency of the State Railway Administration (AFE) during the period 2020-2023. In addition, he served as Minister of the Court of Accounts in 2010 and was Vice President of the National Postal Administration (ANC) between 2001 and 2003. With a solid career in the public sphere, he also served as a councilor in the Departmental Board of Montevideo during the periods 1995-2000 and 2005-2009, an elected role with legislative functions at the municipal level. His experience includes relevant roles as an advisor assigned to the President of the Republic, Dr. Julio María Sanguinetti, between 1997 and 1999. Additionally, he has alternated as a substitute Deputy in the Chamber of Representatives of the Legislative Branch in the periods 2000-2005, 2010 -2015, and 2015-2020, thus consolidating an outstanding career in different instances of public service.
He completed his Doctorate in Law and Social Sciences at the University of the Republic of Uruguay's Law School and in 2022 Gustavo Osta graduated from the Innovation and Leadership in Government Program belonging to the Georgetown University School of Business. Likewise, he has extensive training in management skills for senior public management through the Management Skills Development Program, taught by the University of San Andrés in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
"The experience of participating in the ILG program is a first-rate asset to confirm and understand the importance of innovation and modern leadership in current public management." - Gustavo Osta (ILG 2022)
He has complemented his training with the Governance and Political Management Program at the University of San Andrés. His preparation includes the Senior Management Program (PAD) at the Business School of the University of Montevideo, as well as specialized programs in Institutional and Government Communication offered by the Universidad Austral in Buenos Aires, Argentina. These diverse academic and training experiences position him as a professional with a comprehensive and updated vision in various aspects of law and public management.
With the conviction that “the drive for innovation in the telecommunications sector not only strengthens connectivity but is also key to building a transparent and promising future for the country,” Gustavo encourages new generations to be part of the future cohorts of the ILG program, an experience that stands out pleasantly within its different training when it comes to learning about innovation applied to government management.
“The exchange with colleagues from the region and the United States and fundamentally the ILG Alumni Network allows us to enrich the possibilities of coordinating actions for better governance and, in this way, obtain results in the design and implementation of public policies that add value to the society and citizens, who are ultimately located at the center of every democratic system." - Gustavo Osta (ILG 2022)