Malaysia has received encouraging signals from Azerbaijan, Algeria, and the Bahamas as it seeks to retain its position on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council for the 2027–2030 term. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil shared the update following bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 (WTDC-25) in Baku.
Fahmi expressed confidence that Malaysia will secure support in the ITU Council elections scheduled for November 2026, noting productive discussions and valuable assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He added that several countries offered counter-suggestions regarding ITU management-level contests, which Malaysia will carefully consider.
The minister also held discussions with ITU Chief of Administration and Finance Stephen Bereaux—who is also the Bahamas’ candidate for ITU Deputy Secretary-General—alongside Algerian Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev. The meetings highlighted shared interest in strengthening collaboration with Malaysia, particularly through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Topics included cooperation in technical and regulatory areas, especially 5G deployment, as well as potential future MoUs and working-level exchanges. Fahmi also briefed counterparts on Malaysia’s 5G rollout progress and initiatives such as the Safe Internet Campaign (KIS).
