The Maldives has initiated strategic discussions with Huawei Technologies, a leading Chinese tech giant, to explore leveraging technology for promoting decentralisation. These talks took place during the visit of Adam Shareef, the Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, to China for the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) conference.
The GSMA, renowned for its association of mobile phone manufacturers and developers, hosted Minister Shareef for a series of talks with member companies and mobile operators. During these discussions, the focus was on enhancing the telecommunications infrastructure in the Maldives and leveraging technology to support decentralisation.
Minister Shareef shared insights from his discussions with GSMA and Huawei via social media, emphasising the potential for these collaborations to significantly advance the Maldives’ decentralisation initiatives. He highlighted the crucial role GSMA and its member companies could play in this transformative endeavour.
Additionally, Minister Shareef participated in the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the premier conference for mobile networking professionals held annually in Shanghai. At the MWC, he engaged in a roundtable meeting chaired by GSMA’s Regional Leader for neighbouring countries. The sessions addressed the cybersecurity challenges posed by advancements in artificial intelligence, strategies to mitigate these threats, and plans for developing digital cities.
The GSMA, with its extensive membership of over 750 mobile service providers and 400 companies in mobile phone manufacturing and development, is a pivotal force in shaping global telecommunications standards and innovations. This makes the organisation an invaluable partner for countries like the Maldives, seeking to enhance their digital infrastructure and capabilities.
Minister Shareef’s engagements in China highlights the Maldives’ commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology for decentralisation and development. As these discussions progress, they are expected to pave the way for significant advancements in the country’s telecommunications and digital landscape.
