WTDC-25 A Key Platform For Malaysia To Shape Global Connectivity Agenda
BAKU (Azerbaijan), Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is using the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) as a key platform to strengthen its role in shaping global telecommunication development for the next four years, Malaysian Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.
He said at the quadrennial conference, held from Nov 17 to 28, Malaysia will share its experience as a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, particularly in implementing national connectivity projects, including 5G network.
“This places Malaysia in a unique position and I believe it is a golden opportunity for us to show the world that meaningful connectivity begins with clear policies, careful implementation, good governance and transparency, which ultimately benefit the people and the community.
“So I believe our participation sends a very positive signal, and I see this as a good opportunity for us on the international stage,” he told reporters here on Wednesday.
Fahmi, who was in Baku from Nov 16 to 19 to lead the Malaysian delegation to WTDC-25, said he is confident the Malaysian team will continue contributing to substantive discussions on global telecommunications direction until the conference concludes on Nov 28.
During his stay in Baku, Fahmi also held 10 bilateral meetings, including with Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Sattar Hashemi; and Algeria’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Sid Ali Zerrouki.
He also met Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev; Uganda’s Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga Kiime; and Pakistan’s Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja.
Fahmi said discussions largely centred on potential cooperation between the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), with countries interested in Malaysia’s approach to ensuring wider, faster and more affordable internet access.
“Many want to emulate or understand the strategies and measures Malaysia has taken so they may implement similar approaches in their own countries.
“I also see many opportunities for us to broaden our network, especially for MCMC and the ministry, in regions such as the Caribbean, South America and the African continent,” he said.
He said Malaysia’s participation at WTDC-25 has also paved the way for several memoranda of understanding (MoU) with other countries in the telecommunications sector.
“My experience leading the Communications Ministry shows that various international agencies and regulatory bodies hold MCMC and the Malaysian government in high regard.
“We now need to translate this by seeing how we can export these ideas to other countries. This is a positive achievement for us,” he said.
Delivering Malaysia’s National Statement at the WTDC-25 High-Level Segment, Fahmi said Malaysia remains fully committed to advancing ITU’s global mandate.
His participation at WTDC-25, themed ‘Universal, Meaningful, and Affordable Connectivity for an Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Future’, forms part of Malaysia’s effort to retain its seat on the ITU Council for the 2027-2030 term.
At the High-Level Segment of the World Summit on the Information Society+20 (WSIS+20) in Geneva on July 9, Fahmi officially announced Malaysia’s candidature for re-election, highlighting the country’s active role in ITU.
Malaysia currently serves on the ITU Council for the 2023-2026 term, enabling the country to contribute to the organisation’s strategic policy direction and represent Asia’s interests in advancing telecommunications and digital infrastructure.
-- BERNAMA
