BY ZAFIRAH ZAFRUDDIN

“ After two decades of progress, the multistakeholder WSIS community can be proud of our collaboration efforts to build a more inclusive and sustainable information society,” remarked the International Telecommunication Union( ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

The WSIS + 20 High-Level Event was jointly hosted by the ITU and the Swiss Confederation.

It was also co-organised by ITU together with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation( UNESCO), the United Nations Development Programme( UNDP), and the UN Conference on Trade and Development( UNCTAD).

Held at the Palexpo Convention Centre, the event ran alongside the AI for Good Global Summit, another UN-led tech event.

MALAYSIA’ S WINS

Malaysia’ s achievements in the telecommunications industry prevail at the week-long event. Notably, the National Information Dissemination Centre( NADI) Pulau Bangi Initiative received a WSIS Prize 2025 in the C4- Capacity Building category.

“ NADI was selected among 18 world champions from 970 global projects, a great recognition of the country ' s commitment to empowering rural communities through technology,” said the Malaysian Minister of Communications, Datuk Ahmad Fahmi Fadzil.

The project, spearheaded by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission( MCMC), gained recognition for its impact. NADI empowered underserved communities through crucial digital literacy and training programmes.

The project’ s success, Fahmi emphasised, reflects the MADANI government’ s promise of inclusive digital transformation.

Meanwhile, several other Malaysian initiatives were named‘ Champions’ for their

Doreen Bogdan- Martin

Solly Malatsi

contributions to advancing digital inclusion across various categories:

■ C2. Information and Communication Infrastructure

Also developed by MCMC in collaboration with Telekom Malaysia Bhd( TM), the Pulau Ketam Stingray II Project provided high-speed internet to the island. This was achieved through the installation of a 46.4 km underwater fibre optic cable.

■ C7. ICT applications- Benefits in all aspects of life – E-health

MyHeart, an AI-powered predictive System for Cardiovascular Health, was developed by Universiti Teknologi MARA( UiTM) and the University of Malaya( UM). This system supports the early detection and management of heart disease.

■ C10. Ethical dimensions of the Information Society

Penang Stop Violence App offers digital tools to prevent and report domestic violence while promoting safer communities. The app is a joint effort of the Penang Women’ s Development Corporation( PWDC) and the Penang state government.

“ The MADANI Government, through the Ministry of Communications, will continue to be committed to empowering communities through inclusive and sustainable use of technology,” added Fahmi.

DIGITAL SOVEREIGNTY

Fahmi, who led the Malaysian delegation, spoke during the‘ Leader’ s Talk’ panel session titled,‘ Towards a Safer Connected World: Collaborative Strategies to Strengthen Digital Trust and Cyber Resiliency.’ He addressed the need for accountability in the digital space.

“ No tech company, however big, is above the law. Every sovereign country has the right to adopt and uphold its laws, for the sake of security, sovereignty and welfare of the people.”

Fahmi also highlighted Malaysia’ s leadership role within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations( ASEAN) in developing the ASEAN Guidelines on Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms.

“ This is an important step towards creating safer online spaces and aligns

RECOGNITION FOR INCLUSION: Fahmi Fadzil accepts the WSIS 2025 Award for Malaysia’ s NADI project.

with ASEAN’ s centralised and consensusdriven principles,” he remarked.

As part of Malaysia’ s broader digital diplomacy efforts, Fahmi announced Malaysia’ s candidacy and bid for re-election to the ITU Council for the 2027-2030 term.

Following this, he also had 10 bilateral meetings with his international counterparts during the week-long event. These discussions involved high-level officials from Algeria, Senegal, Ghana, Somalia, Kuwait, the United Kingdom( UK) and Cambodia, among others.

RENEWED VISION

A Chair’ s Summary, released at the end of the event, outlined a refreshed vision for WSIS:‘ WSIS Accelerating Vision & Empowerment.’

The document outlines strategies for the scaling up of global cooperation through multistakeholder engagement. It reinforces the importance of platforms like the WSIS Forum, the Internet Governance Forum( IGF), and the AI for Good Global Summit.

These platforms are key for implementing the Global Digital Compact( GDC) and achieving inclusive digital access for all. Delegates also identified four core areas for urgent action: 1. Universal Connectivity 2. Ethical AI & Emerging Technologies 3. Sustainability & Green Tech 4. Multistakeholder Collaboration

“ The commitments made this week will inform the next chapter of WSIS’ s journey, which must be underpinned by an increased emphasis on inclusivity, equity and sustainability,” asserted the WSIS + 20 Chair and South African Minister of Communications Solly Malatsi. @ ND