Fahmi Leads Malaysia’s ITU Council Re-Election Bid At Doha Plenipotentiary Conference

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 6 – Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil is leading Malaysia’s delegation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26) in Doha, Qatar, from November 6 to 11, 2026, as the nation seeks re-election to the ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term.

Held once every four years, the Plenipotentiary Conference serves as the ITU’s supreme decision-making body, determining global telecommunications and information and communications technology (ICT) strategic plans, electing top leadership, naming members of the Radio Regulations Board (RRB), and choosing 48 member states to sit on the ITU Council.

The Malaysian Cabinet formally approved the country’s re-election bid through the Communications Ministry on June 5, 2025, and endorsed Fahmi’s appointment as head of delegation on September 2, 2026.

Re-election to the governing 48-member council would allow Malaysia to continue shaping key decisions on international digital infrastructure, technology interoperability standards, cybersecurity frameworks, and initiatives aimed at bridging the global digital divide.

Malaysia first joined the ITU on February 3, 1958. It previously served four consecutive terms on the ITU Council between 1998 and 2014, before securing its current seat for the 2023–2026 term at PP-22 in Bucharest, Romania.

As part of the official itinerary, Fahmi is scheduled to attend the heads of delegation meeting, the opening ceremony, and the main plenary session on November 9, 2026, where he will deliver Malaysia’s national policy statement and join high-level thematic discussions on ICT development. Malaysia will also host an official diplomatic lunch reception at the conference venue to highlight its contributions during its 2023–2026 term.

Prior to the conference proceedings, Fahmi is set to engage with the Malaysian diaspora in Doha—including representatives from the Malaysian Association in Qatar, the Malaysian Business Executive Council-Qatar, and student groups—and attend the Sukan Malaysia Qatar (SUQMA) sports event.

Key Conference Parameters, Historical Context, and Delegation Agenda

Key mission details, historical milestones, and delegation activities include:

• Event & Location: ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26) in Doha, Qatar (Nov 6–11, 2026).
• Primary Objective: Securing re-election to one of the 48 seats on the ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term.
• Cabinet Endorsements: Re-election bid approved June 5, 2025; delegation leadership endorsed Sept 2, 2026.
• ITU Membership History: Member since Feb 3, 1958; served on Council 1998–2014 and 2023–2026.
• Key Itinerary Highlights: National policy statement delivery on Nov 9, 2026; diplomatic reception; engagement with Malaysians in Qatar; attendance at SUQMA games.

–NMT