WITSA Announces Kuching, Sarawak as the Host of WCIT 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 15, 2022Contact: Dato’ Dan E. Khoodanekhoo@witsa.org +60 (12) 650 8392Anders Halvorsenahalvorsen@witsa.org +1 571 265-5964WITSA Announces Kuching, Sarawak as the Host of WCIT 2023Olympics of tech industry to shine spotlight on innovation and technology for economic prosperity, social inclusivity and environmental sustainabilityPenang, Malaysia: On the third day of the 2022 World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT), the World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) announced that the City of Kuching, the capital and the most populous city in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia, was selected to host its 27^th WCIT in the fourth quarter of 2023.Malaysia will become only the second country in WITSA’s 44-year storied history to host a World Congress on Innovation and Technology more than twice, following the successful conclusion of WCIT 2022 in Penang, and WCIT 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, and will be the first in Asia to do so. Only the United States of America has been a four-time host, with San Francisco, California; Washington DC; Fairfax, Virginia; and Austin, Texas providing the stunning locations for the WCIT in 1980, 1990, 1998 and 2006 respectively.“WITSA is the leading recognized voice of the global tech industry which is the key driver of global economic growth,” stated WITSA Chairman Dr. Sean Seah. “At our successfully concluded 2022 WCIT in Penang, there were more than 4,000 congress delegates from over 60 nations and economies. WCIT 2023 will further WITSA’s aspirations of fulfilling the promise of the digital age for everyone,” continued Dr. Seah, who is also PIKOM Chairman. “PIKOM is honored that the WITSA Board of Directors chose the Sarawak bid for WCIT 2023.”At the Crystal Handover ceremony traditionally held to signify the transfer of the hosting rights from one stunning location to the next, WITSA Deputy Chairman Robert Janssen from Brazil said, “It gives me great pleasure to announce that the winner of the WCIT 2023 bid is Sarawak as represented by PIKOM, Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC).”Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Bhd chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi congratulated the WCIT 2022 organizers PIKOM, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), HRD Corp, the Penang government, Penang lead agencies, WITSA, and the delegates for successfully hosting and participating in the successful and memorable congress. “SMA and SDEC representing the Sarawak Government is grateful beyond words to WITSA for giving us this opportunity to host the WCIT 2023 in Kuching, Sarawak on the exotic island of Borneo,” he said in his speech today.“WCIT 2023 will have a sub-theme focus of Innovation and Technology Driving Economic Prosperity, Social Inclusivity and Environmental Sustainability, in line with Sarawak’s Post-Covid Development Plan 2030, and we look forward to welcoming all our guests to Kuching in the fourth quarter of next year.” he added.“PIKOM is privileged to be trusted with the honor of co-organizing next year’s WCIT with the Sarawak Multimedia Authority and the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation,” continued Dr Seah.WITSA Secretary General Dr. Jim Poisant said the 27th edition of the World Congress is set to extend the reach of WCIT. “I am thrilled that WITSA’s signature event is reaching even more people as this is part and parcel of bringing the promise of the digital age to everyone,” he said.“The WCIT 2023 in Kuching will be the catalyst that sparks idea generation, investment opportunities, business insights, policy action recommendations, delightful tech experiences, serendipitous discovery and partner-talent recruitment possibilities,” said WITSA CEO Dato’ Dan E. Khoo.“I am excited that next year, the participants of the WCIT 2023 will witness the Congress in Sarawak, a land of infinite possibilities with unlimited potential on the exotic island of Borneo,” Dato’ Khoo added.First held in 1978, the WCIT is unique in its global perspective on fulfilling the promise of the digital age and its ability to draw users, providers, media and academia from around the world to focus on tech for societal good. In addition, global business, government and academic leaders discuss emerging markets, legal and policy issues, political and economic trends, emerging technologies, tech user perspectives and business opportunities in the global marketplace.Among the featured speakers will be internationally recognized leaders from government and the digital tech industry. A premier global tech congress, WCIT brings together more than 2,000 global leaders in business, government and academia from over 80 countries to impact economic and social development through the exchange of policies, practices, trends and ideas on tech. WCIT 2023, which will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), will put a spotlight on Sarawak as it is progressively shifting from a traditional commodities-based economy to a marketplace driven by innovation, technology and sustainability.About WITSAThe World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is the leading recognized international voice of the global ICT industry, whose members from over 80 countries and economies represent more than 90 percent of the world ICT market. WITSA is dedicated to advocating policies that advance industry growth and development; facilitating international trade and investment in ICT products and services; strengthening WITSA’s national industry associations; and providing members with a broad network of professional contacts. WITSA hosts the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT), the premier global industry sponsored ICT conference.WITSA members are leaders in a globally interconnected marketplace. Because the challenges facing the ICT industry are undisputedly global in nature, WITSA members work together to achieve a shared vision on important issues of common interest. WITSA makes it possible for its members — ranging from Mongolia and Argentina to Kenya and the United States — to identify common issues and priorities, exchange valuable information, and present a united position on industry issues.