ITU PP-26 Kicks Off In Doha As Communications Minister Fahmi Delivers Malaysia’s National Policy Statement

DOHA, Nov 9  – The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference 2026 (PP-26) officially opened on Monday, November 9, 2026, in Doha, Qatar, bringing together global telecommunications leaders, regulatory authorities, and government ministers to shape the future of worldwide digital connectivity.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, who is leading the Malaysian delegation, is scheduled to deliver Malaysia’s national policy statement during the opening plenary session at 2:30 PM local time (7:30 PM Malaysian time) at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC).

Running from November 9 to November 27, 2026, the quadrennial conference serves as the supreme decision-making organ of the ITU, setting global policies, strategic priorities, and organizational leadership for the upcoming 2027–2030 cycle.

Malaysia’s delegation carries significant diplomatic stakes as the nation actively campaigns to retain its seat on the 48-member ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term.

Fahmi’s itinerary on Monday began with a formal Heads of Delegation meeting followed by the official opening ceremony at 11:00 AM local time.

On the sidelines of the plenary sessions, Fahmi will hold high-level bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts from Fiji, Costa Rica, and Finland to advance Malaysia’s digital diplomacy and secure council election support. He will also hold talks with executive leadership from the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) to expand partnerships with the international mobile sector.

In addition to setting strategic policies, voting delegates at PP-26 will elect the ITU’s top executive leadership, members of the Radio Regulations Board, and the 48 member states representing the ITU Council.

Fahmi is on an official working visit to Doha from November 6 to 11, accompanied by Communications Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran.

Plenary Schedule, Council Election, and Bilateral Meetings

Key policy presentations, voting parameters, and diplomatic meetings include:

• Conference Timeline: ITU PP-26 takes place November 9–27, 2026, at DECC in Doha, Qatar.
• Malaysia’s Policy Address: Scheduled for Monday, Nov 9, 2026, at 2:30 PM local time (7:30 PM Malaysian time).
• Core Diplomatic Campaign: Securing re-election to the 48-nation ITU Council for the 2027–2030 term.
• Bilateral Counterparts: Fiji, Costa Rica, Finland, and global leadership from the GSMA.
• Malaysian Delegation Leaders: Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and Deputy Secretary-General (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran.

–NMT