Malaysia has reinforced its commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive and future-ready digital economy through a series of strategic engagements at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos, led by the minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo.
In a statement on last Friday, the Ministry of Digital of Malaysia said these engagements reflect the country’s growing role in shaping global conversations on sustainable digital development, ensuring that innovation supports both economic growth and long-term sustainability in line with the Madani Economic Framework.
At WEF, Malaysia highlighted that becoming an artificial intelligence (AI) Nation under RMK13 will require more than technology adoption — it will demand the right legislation, regulations and new institutions to unlock the full benefits of digital technologies for society.
It is noted that Malaysia is advancing key enablers such as a proposed Data Commission to drive new growth through data sharing and exchanges, while ensuring the responsible and safe use of data across emerging technologies, including AI, quantum and blockchain.
These approaches reflect the country’s commitment to trust, safety and readiness, and its contribution to WEF’s efforts to shape a sustainable global digital environment.
Malaysia also emphasized that AI must deliver meaningful societal outcomes, including equity, access and affordability.
The country called for continued global cooperation to ensure cost-effective and responsible AI capabilities — particularly from advanced economies — are accessible to the Global South and developing countries, so that no nation is left behind.
AI adoption, it noted, must be guided by measurable impact for citizens, ensuring that digital investments reach those who need them most.
Meanwhile, Malaysia further welcomed continued collaboration with WEF on emerging opportunities such as digital embassies — a forward-looking concept designed to strengthen trust, resilience and sovereignty in the digital space.
Malaysia and WEF are developing a digital embassy framework, planned for publication in April, as the country’s growing data center ecosystem continues to support jobs and investment, while reinforcing the importance of sustainable digital infrastructure — ensuring growth is resilient, energy-aware and aligned with long-term national priorities.
In addition, Malaysia advanced cooperation on Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC), following the publication of Industrial Transformation in ASEAN: A Cluster-Driven Model for Regional and Global Collaboration by Malaysia’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and WEF.
The playbook aims to accelerate decarbonization, job creation and economic growth through multi-stakeholder partnerships, innovative financing, policy alignment and new technologies.
It features Bintulu Industrial Hub and the Johor Transitioning Industrial Cluster as scalable regional models.
As part of this effort, the first TIC in Malaysia is planned to be launched in Sarawak in June, marking an important milestone in translating global collaboration with WEF into tangible outcomes for national and regional development.
Looking ahead, Malaysia will work with WEF to share digital transformation best practices across countries, helping accelerate progress in productivity, public services and sustainable development, said the statement.
It noted Malaysia looks forward to strengthening this partnership to drive sustainable digital growth that delivers real impact at home, across the region and globally.
Malaysia records $1.68B digital exports between 2024 and the first half of 2025