He said the development was a positive indication of Malaysia's efforts to continue playing an important role in determining the direction of international telecommunications sector development.

“Alhamdulillah, we have completed several preparatory matters ahead of the re-election process for a seat on the ITU Council.

“Many of the discussions, whether during the reception or through a series of bilateral meetings, indicate that many countries support Malaysia's re-election to the ITU Council,” he told Bernama and RTM after attending a luncheon reception with international delegations in conjunction with ITU PP-26 here today.

Wrapping up his six-day working visit to Doha, Fahmi said Malaysia's re-election would create more opportunities for the Communications Ministry, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and related agencies to strengthen the country's involvement in global telecommunications policy and technology development.

He said Malaysia had a wealth of experience and expertise to share with other countries, particularly in digital infrastructure development, data security and the deployment of next-generation communications technology.

He said initiatives that had attracted the attention of other countries included the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) and Malaysia's experience in transitioning its 5G network from a single wholesale network model to a dual-network model.

“Malaysia's experience in navigating these issues can certainly serve as an example or offer lessons that other countries can draw from.

“We are ready to discuss these matters, and I have also requested that this series of discussions be expanded and intensified. Insya-Allah, with Malaysia remaining on the ITU Council, we can play a greater role in the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fahmi said Malaysia had the potential to play a greater role in voicing the interests of developing countries, particularly in addressing the widening digital divide resulting from the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI).

He said that apart from basic connectivity challenges involving submarine cables, telecommunications towers and satellite communications, the world was now facing a new challenge known as the compute divide.

He said the divide arose because some countries possessed significantly more advanced AI and computing capabilities than others, potentially widening global digital inequalities.

Fahmi said Malaysia was also paying attention to the need to accelerate the migration to quantum technology, particularly to strengthen data security in an increasingly complex digital environment.

He said comprehensive digital infrastructure development and the ability to protect data must progress in tandem to ensure that the benefits of digital economic growth could be enjoyed more inclusively.

-- BERNAMA