DOHA: No country can tackle the increasingly complex challenges facing the global telecommunications sector alone, making stronger international cooperation more crucial than ever, Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said.
The Communications Minister said rapid technological advancements and emerging challenges required countries to work closely together and share their experiences in finding practical solutions.
"I hope that the kind of networking that we have built over time here will lend us some space and room to collaborate further on the sidelines or in our respective countries.
"I believe that to solve some of these problems, no country can do it alone," he said in his welcoming address at a lunch reception hosted by Malaysia to garner support for its re-election to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for the 2027-2030 term at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC) here on Wednesday.
The reception was held on the sidelines of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (ITUPP-26), which brings together government leaders, policymakers and telecommunications regulators from around the world.
Fahmi, who is leading Malaysia's delegation to the conference, said the country remained committed to fostering international cooperation while maintaining its neutral stance in an increasingly complex global digital landscape.
"Malaysia stands ready to provide any assistance, room, space. We're a neutral country. We believe in interoperability. We believe that we gain so much more from working together," he said.
He also sought the support of ITU member states for Malaysia's re-election to the council, with voting scheduled for Nov 16.
"We hope for your support as we seek re-election on Nov 16th," he said.
Fahmi also highlighted Malaysia's experience in implementing its fifth-generation (5G) network, particularly its transition from a single wholesale network model to a dual-network approach.
He said Malaysia's experience could offer valuable insights to other countries navigating their own telecommunications infrastructure development.
"We are the only country in the world that executed 5G on a single wholesale network and the only country in the world that moved to a dual network solution.
"So, there are some things there that we've been able to do that maybe are of interest to all of you," he said.
Malaysia, an ITU member since 1958, currently serves on the council and is seeking re-election for the 2027-2030 term as part of its continued commitment to advancing global telecommunications cooperation and digital development.
Also present at the reception were Communications Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran, Malaysian Ambassador to Qatar Faizal Razali, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Managing Director Abdul Karim Fakir Ali and ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. — Bernama
