ITU PP-26: Appointment of Malaysian representative as Committee 5 chair reflects international confidence

Malaysia has been appointed as the chair of Committee 5 at the 2026 International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference (ITU PP-26), showcasing the international community's trust in the nation's capacity to maintain impartiality and address diverse interests. Committee 5 chair, Eneng Faridah Iskandar, highlighted that the appointment signifies more than a personal accolade for her; it is a significant accomplishment for Malaysia, as the country is perceived as a neutral entity capable of accommodating the perspectives of all parties.

Eneng Faridah, who also serves as the Deputy Managing Director (Development) at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), expressed gratitude to the Malaysian government for nominating her for the role at the upcoming conference, which commences on November 9. She emphasized the substantial responsibility associated with the position, as she will represent Malaysia and consider the interests of all member states involved in the deliberations.

Committee 5 is tasked with examining multiple policy and legal matters within the ITU framework. Over 95 proposals encompassing more than 40 resolutions have been submitted for discussion at this year's conference. One of the primary challenges, according to Eneng Faridah, is functioning as an intermediary among parties with differing interests to achieve a unified agreement, given the ITU's consensus-driven approach.

Multiple preliminary meetings have been held prior to the committee's sessions, scheduled to commence tomorrow, to ensure a smooth negotiation process. Committee 5, or the Policy and Legal Committee, is one of the main committees at ITU PP-26 and is tasked with deliberating on proposed international telecommunications policies and regulations and examining resolutions submitted by ITU member states.

The chair of Committee 5 plays a crucial role in facilitating negotiations, balancing interests, and reconciling disagreements among member states to attain consensus before forwarding the committee's recommendations to the conference for consideration and decision-making. PP-26, taking place in Doha, is the ITU's highest-level gathering, convened every four years to determine the organization's direction, policies, and strategic plans.

The Malaysian delegation to the conference is headed by Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, with the objective of preserving Malaysia's seat on the ITU Council for the 2027-2030 term. The ITU, a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN), is responsible for information and communications technology (ICT), encompassing the development of global standards, the allocation of radio-frequency spectrum, the coordination of satellite operations, and the effort to narrow the global digital divide.