Latest news with #WorldSummitontheInformationSociety
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
From Pulau Banggi to Geneva
PULAU Banggi is the biggest island that is fully within our country's borders, occupying a land mass larger than the better known Langkawi and Penang islands. However, it is not as well known as either, as it is located off the northernmost points of mainland Sabah, about 70km from Kudat. Only accessible by ferry or speedboat, it is home to 20,000 residents whose main economy is fishing, oil palm and rubber. Its remote location is one reason I was elated when the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) Malaysia Digital Inclusion Project was crowned the winner of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, recently. The victory was achieved through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) Nadi Pulau Banggi Initiative. Indeed, the initiative was also named the champion in the 'C4: Capacity Building' category for its success in providing digital literacy, skills training, and economic opportunities to one of Malaysia's most remote island communities. The island's remote location has limited residents' access to education, healthcare and economic growth, but now the Nadi initiative has established community digital hubs that provide high-speed Internet and ICT training to fishermen, farmers, students and small business owners, equipping them with the skills to succeed in today's digital economy. It is a project that rapidly transforms the lives of residents, with youth acquiring ICT skills, women starting online micro-businesses, and local entrepreneurs expanding their markets. It once again reaffirms our firm belief that no one should be left behind in the digital era. Whether they be in a dense and congested urban centre, an impenetrable jungle or the most remote of islands, we will do our best to connect all Malaysians, as quickly and as efficiently as possible. As far as I am concerned the award also belongs to the communities who have embraced digital skills for a better future and to all Malaysians – driving our vision of an inclusive connected nation. As of May 31, we have achieved 82.4% 5G coverage in populated areas and 80.4% adoption rate nationwide. Sabah is now up to 69% coverage and we will strive to achieve more. We have download speeds of 149 megabits per second and a whopping 27.47 million 5G users. Nadi is now being expanded to other underserved areas, including Pulau Mandi Darah (in northern Sabah), with plans for nationwide expansion by 2035 through scalable training modules, community hubs, and long-term funding in Sabah and Sarawak. MCMC's participation in WSIS+20 also signifies support for the efforts of the International Telecommunication Union and demonstrates Malaysia's commitment to all telecommunications and digital initiatives carried out by the UN agency. Malaysia is among the top 10 countries in the world with the cheapest Internet, and we have the second fastest Internet speed in the Asia-Pacific region after South Korea. Frankly, we should be proud and yet use these achievements to spur us on. At the same time, we don't want just faster and cheaper Internet, but we want it to be safer also. That is why we are spearheading the development of the Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for Asean. The truth is that if technology is open, without security oversight, it can become a haven for cyber criminals. Every sovereign nation has regulations ensuring safety and security, which big tech must respect. I also call upon those players who are dragging their feet to adhere to our social media licensing policies. Our aim is to establish common principles and best practices for governments, platforms, and users to address harmful content while safeguarding freedom of expression. In this way, we can ensure the Malaysian children of today can have a safe path to becoming digital leaders of tomorrow. Datuk Fahmi Fadzil is Communications Minister.
Saudi Gazette
15-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
King Salman chairs Cabinet session, endorses international cooperation and national development initiatives
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the Cabinet session held Tuesday in Jeddah, where the Council reviewed the Kingdom's international engagements, local policy advancements, and approved several key agreements. The Cabinet praised Saudi Arabia's active participation in regional and global meetings, including its commitments at the World Summit on the Information Society in Switzerland, where the Kingdom reaffirmed its support for digital cooperation and sustainable development through modern technologies. Locally, the Council acknowledged achievements under the Financial Sector Development Program and the Human Capability Development Program, noting their role in enhancing financial sustainability and preparing national talent for global competitiveness. It also commended the introduction of artificial intelligence into public education curricula as a strategic step to equip future generations with critical digital skills. The Cabinet celebrated Saudi Arabia's global leadership in international tourism revenue growth during Q1 2025, highlighting the sector's rapid development and growing international environmental matters, the Council welcomed the praise received during the UN high-level meeting on sand and dust storms, particularly regarding the Kingdom's efforts in early warning systems and scientific Cabinet approved an MoU between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the financial sector, agreements with Somalia on recruitment of domestic and general workers, MoU with Denmark for cooperation in logistics services, and MoU with the Arab Administrative Development Organization on educational assessment and also approved amendments to the Documentation, Arbitration, and Legal Practice laws to align with the Civil Transactions Law. The cabinet approved the Medical Referrals Center Regulation and three-year extension of the Easy Mortgage Program.
Observer
12-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Musandam honoured at WSIS 2025 for smart lighting
GENEVA: Musandam Governorate was honoured at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS 2025) in Geneva, organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for its innovative smart street lighting project utilising Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The project was recognised as one of the best entries for its sustainability and practical applicability. The WSIS competition's supervisory committee and judging experts praised the project as a practical model that can be replicated in diverse urban environments, thanks to its technical innovation and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Amna bint Mohammed al Shihiyah, Director of the Information Technology Department at the General Directorate of Administrative and Financial Affairs in Musandam Governorate, explained that the project is built on an integrated technical framework. It involves installing smart sensors and devices in lighting poles that collect data on natural light intensity, pedestrian and vehicle movement, weather conditions and the condition of the fixtures themselves. This data is then transmitted to a central operations platform, where it is analysed and used to make automated decisions on turning lights on or off and adjusting brightness levels as needed, maximising operational efficiency. She noted that the smart system allows real-time monitoring of the network, enabling early fault detection and direct alerts to maintenance teams. This significantly reduces response times and improves service levels for residents and visitors. Additionally, the system generates analytical reports to support infrastructure planning and decision-making. Al Shihi highlighted that the project marks a qualitative leap on several fronts. Technically, it reduces electricity consumption by up to 40 per cent compared to traditional systems and extends the lifespan of lighting fixtures through demand-based operation. Environmentally, it helps reduce the carbon footprint, supporting Oman's push towards green development and smart cities. Administratively, it boosts resource management efficiency; and lowers operating and maintenance costs over time. She emphasised that this recognition is a national achievement that enhances Musandam's status as a pioneer in leveraging technology to serve the community and promote efficiency and sustainability. It also underscores the governorate's commitment to Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises digital transformation and environmental sustainability. The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a leading global initiative in the field of information and communication technology for development. It was launched under UN auspices and is managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in cooperation with other UN agencies. The summit aims to encourage digital innovation and foster the implementation of technology projects that contribute to achieving the SDGs worldwide. Each year, the WSIS Prizes competition honours outstanding technology projects that serve society in innovative and sustainable ways. The competition attracts hundreds of submissions globally from governments, private sectors, civil society and academia. Prizes are awarded across 18 main categories, including digital infrastructure, environment and smart cities, e-government, risk and disaster management; and innovation and entrepreneurship. — ONA
Muscat Daily
12-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Musandam wins WSIS award for smart street lighting
Muscat – Musandam has been recognised at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum in Geneva for its smart street lighting project that uses Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Organised by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the forum honoured the project as one of the best entries for its sustainability and practical application. The supervisory committee of the WSIS competition described the project as a replicable model for urban areas, highlighting its technical innovation and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Amna bint Mohammed al Shehhi, Director of Information Technology Department in Musandam, said the system is built on a network of smart sensors installed on lighting poles. These sensors gather real-time data on natural light, movement of vehicles and pedestrians, weather conditions, and the operational status of the infrastructure. The data is transmitted to a central platform, which analyses it and makes automated decisions to optimise lighting operations, including adjusting brightness or switching lights on and off based on need. She said the platform supports continuous monitoring, early fault detection and instant maintenance alerts, which improve service quality and reduce response times. The system also generates analytical reports to support infrastructure planning and policy decisions. According to Amna, Musandam's street lighting project marks a significant shift in urban management. Technically, it reduces electricity consumption by up to 40% compared to conventional lighting systems and prolongs the lifespan of fixtures. Environmentally, it cuts emissions and contributes to Oman's shift towards green development and smart cities. Administratively, it improves resource efficiency while reducing operational and maintenance costs. She said the recognition was a national achievement reflecting Musandam's progress in leveraging technology for public benefit while aligning with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises digital transformation and sustainability. One of the leading global platforms for ICT developments, WSIS is hosted under the United Nations umbrella and coordinated by ITU with support from other UN agencies. The annual summit encourages digital innovation aligned with SDGs and includes the WSIS Prizes, a global competition attracting entries from governments, academia, civil society and private sector entities. The awards span 18 categories including digital infrastructure, smart cities, e-governance and environmental innovation.
Saudi Gazette
10-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
At Geneva World Summit, Saudi Arabia highlights great strides in digital leadership
Saudi Gazette report GENEVA — Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Haytham AlOhali highlighted, while attending the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Saudi Arabia's great strides in digital leadership. Speaking before senior officials and experts representing 194 countries, he reaffirmed the Kingdom's dedication in supporting the summit's goals and enhancing the role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in fostering inclusive and sustainable digital communities. AlOhali showcased Saudi Arabia's progress in advancing the ITU's strategic objectives, referencing key global indicators that reflect the Kingdom's success in the digital domain. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in the ICT Development Index issued by ITU, reflecting the ongoing development in the ICT sector. He noted that Saudi Arabia is now among the global leaders in providing digital government services and has achieved sixth place globally in the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) in 2024. The deputy minister showcased the Kingdom's robust ICT infrastructure, as the digital economy reached $132 billion in 2024, representing 15 percent of the GDP and half of the region's digital economy. During the AI World Summit, AlOhali also participated in the "Crafting a well-balanced, pro-innovation regulatory framework" session, during which he emphasized that the foundation of a sustainable AI ecosystem lies in investing in human capital, infrastructure, and clear standards. "Today, we possess the largest technical workforce in the region, comprising over 381,000 specialists, with an annual growth rate of 8.8 percent compared to 350,000 in 2023. We began our journey in 2018 with an investment exceeding $25 billion in digital infrastructure in partnership with the private sector, which enabled the Kingdom to top the 2025 ICT Development Index," he said. AlOhali noted that Saudi Arabia is scaling up its investments through strategic alliances with major global AI companies, including AMD, AWS, and Qualcomm, in addition to a strategic partnership with NVIDIA to establish a 500MW data center. 'The launch of 'Humain' marks the creation of a regional and global AI powerhouse, backed by robust infrastructure and cloud computing. These initiatives reflect the Kingdom's strong commitment to fostering a thriving AI ecosystem and reinforcing its position as a global hub for sustainable innovation,' he added.
