Loading...
Recognised at the WSIS Prizes 2026
Winner Project
WSIS Action Line C1
ASEAN stands at an important point in its digital transformation journey. Across the region, governments, industries and communities are embracing new technologies to drive economic growth, improve public services and create new opportunities for businesses and citizens alike. Among these technologies, 5G has emerged as a key enabler that will accelerate innovation, strengthen regional competitiveness and support ASEAN's vision of a more connected and digitally inclusive future.
As investments in 5G infrastructure continue to grow, attention must also be given to a critical factor that will determine the success of this transformation: people. Realising the full benefits of 5G requires more than networks and technology. It requires a workforce equipped with the knowledge, skills and capabilities to design, deploy, operate and harness the possibilities that 5G enables across industries and sectors.
The diversity of ASEAN presents a unique opportunity to harness to realise respective 5G aspirations. Member States are progressing through different stages of 5G deployment and adoption, resulting in varying workforce requirements and priorities. At the same time, rapid technological advancements are changing the skills needed for both emerging and existing occupations. This creates an urgent need for a structured and forward-looking approach to workforce development that can support countries at different stages of their 5G journey.
The ASEAN 5G Skills Framework has been developed to address this need. By identifying critical roles and priority skills across the 5G ecosystem, the framework provides a common reference point for governments, industry players, enterprises, educational institutions and training providers. It is intended to support more informed workforce planning, strengthen talent development efforts and foster greater alignment between industry demand and skills development initiatives across the region.
This framework reflects the collective contributions of stakeholders from across ASEAN, whose insights and expertise have helped shape a practical and regionally relevant resource. Their collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening workforce capabilities and maximising the value that 5G can deliver for our region's economies and societies.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to the development of this framework, including representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. Their commitment was further recognised when the ASEAN 5G Skills Framework and Capacity Development Platform was named the Winner Project under WSIS Action Line C1 at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2026, reflecting ASEAN's shared commitment to developing future-ready digital talent and strengthening workforce capabilities across the region.
As we look ahead, the development of digital talent will be as important as the deployment of digital infrastructure. By working together to build a skilled, adaptable and future-ready workforce, ASEAN can unlock the full potential of 5G and create lasting economic and social benefits for generations to come.
YBhg. Tan Sri Mohamad Salim bin Fateh Din
Chairman, MCMC