KUALA LUMPUR: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has a vital role to play in improving universal connectivity and reducing the digital divide, which demands immediate action, Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said.

Annuar said there are almost three billion people around the world who did not have the opportunity to get connected. As such, ITU has a critical task to bridge the gap within member countries and inter-regional disparity.

"For example, poorer or developing countries will be having even bigger problems as technology advances, and unless they keep pace with the technology development, the people of that country will be deprived of the right to technology.

"So I think ITU will have a great challenge to make sure all countries can get connected and all people have equal access to connectivity," he said in an exclusive interview with ecopoliticnews.com on the sideline of the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2022 in Bucharest, Romania.

Annuar said as far as Malaysia is concerned, connectivity is now becoming part of human rights.

"...which means life can never be the same unless you are connected. All economic activities are influenced by whether or not you have access to good and affordable internet, so it's becoming something basic like having water or electricity," he said.

In this regard, Annuar said ITU needs to engage with member countries and offer assistance to ensure that developing countries do not get left behind in accessibility and opportunity to get themselves connected.

Established over 150 years ago, ITU is an intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems.

Asked about plans to develop business in Romania, Annuar said Malaysia is eyeing cooperation that can benefit people in both countries, including telecommunication.

"I think the prospect of making Romania the gateway to Europe is something that is worth looking into. With Constanta port, it will be faster and easier to go to eastern Europe instead of all being dominated by the Turkish ports.

"There are also other areas regarding Malaysian export, especially since we are one of the leaders in the microchips and semiconductors (chain), and I think that is one area in high demand.

"I think the sky is the limit, but we need to work together closely and try to look into other possibilities as well," he said.

-- BERNAMA