DOHA: Malaysia has emphasised the need to strengthen cybersecurity and protect children online while ensuring the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said trust and safety were essential to enabling people to participate confidently in the digital economy, as technological advancements continued to reshape the way people lived and worked.
He said Malaysia welcomed the draft Doha Ministerial Declaration, which outlined a comprehensive approach to addressing the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation.
“The Declaration rightly puts a strong focus on cybersecurity, protecting children online, and ensuring that emerging technologies are developed and used responsibly.
“For Malaysia, innovation must go hand in hand with the right safeguards. This will give people the confidence to make full use of the opportunities that digital technologies offer,” he said at the Ministerial Roundtable held in conjunction with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26).
He said the declaration reflected three priorities central to Malaysia’s national digital agenda, which were ensuring meaningful connectivity, promoting digital inclusion and fostering a safe and trusted digital environment.
He said meaningful connectivity must go beyond network coverage to ensure that telecommunications services remain affordable, reliable and resilient in supporting communities and economic activities.
Malaysia also welcomed the declaration’s emphasis on developing resilient and sustainable digital infrastructure to ensure the continuity of essential communications during emergencies and disruptions.
Fahmi said digital transformation must create opportunities for everyone regardless of geographical location or level of digital readiness.
He added that the Malaysian government remained focused on investing in digital skills and capacity building while supporting innovation to enable more people to benefit from the digital economy.
“As AI and other emerging technologies continue to develop, we must make sure that developing countries and underserved communities are not left behind.
“They should have the opportunity not only to use these technologies, but also to help shape them and benefit from the opportunities they create,” he said.
Fahmi also welcomed the declaration’s emphasis on international cooperation and acknowledged the ITU’s important role in expanding connectivity, developing technical standards and strengthening digital capacity.
He said Malaysia looked forward to working closely with the ITU and other member states to build a more connected and inclusive digital future while ensuring greater safety and equitable opportunities for all.