Sarawak, Germany explore collaboration on sovereign AI, hydrogen, green data centres in Berlin

Abdullah Zaidel speaking during a High-Level Expert Exchange and Roundtable Discussion between Malaysia and the European Union (EU) on Sovereign Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Standards in Berlin, Germany on June 23, 2026.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, June 25: Sarawak and Germany have explored closer cooperation in key future-focused areas such as digital sovereignty and artificial intelligence (AI), hydrogen energy development, environmentally friendly data centres, the creation of an Agentic AI Hub, and wider research and policy collaboration during a high-level meeting in Berlin under the EU–ASEAN Dialogue framework.

The Sarawak delegation was led by Deputy State Secretary Sarawak (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel, who took part in the High-Level Expert Exchange and Roundtable Discussion between Malaysia and the European Union (EU) on Sovereign Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Standards on June 23.

According to a media release today, the meeting brought together government officials, academics, and industry experts to discuss how countries in Asia and Europe can work together to ensure AI and digital technologies are developed in a safe, trusted, and sustainable way.

In his opening remarks, director of the Representation of the State of Schleswig-Holstein to the Federal Government, Udo Bunnagel, said the world has rapidly moved from paper-based systems to digital platforms powered by cloud computing.

He noted that AI can help governments work more efficiently by speeding up services and improving public administration. However, he also stressed that countries must work together to ensure control, security, and trust in digital systems, known as “digital sovereignty.”

In his remarks, Abdullah Zaidel said Sarawak is transforming its economy by focusing on high-value sectors such as the digital economy, AI, carbon capture and storage (CCUS), and renewable energy.

He added that stronger cooperation between ASEAN and the EU, especially involving Sarawak, can help both regions develop new technologies faster and grow in a more sustainable way.

The discussion also focused on several key areas of future cooperation, including how Asia and Europe can align their digital and AI policies, develop hydrogen energy, build greener and more energy-efficient data centres, and possibly set up an Agentic AI Hub. Participants also looked at ways to strengthen joint research, innovation, and policy development.

Overall, the engagement highlighted a shared goal among all parties to ensure AI is developed responsibly and used in a way that benefits society while protecting security and sustainability.

The meeting also brought together several other key participants, including Frank Kruger from Germany’s digital policy ministry, Malaysian diplomatic representative Rozaime Mohamed Desa, ASEAN Business Club president Tan Sri Dr Munir Majid, and senior officials from Sarawak agencies involved in digital transformation and AI development.

The discussions further reinforced Sarawak’s growing role in international cooperation on digital technology, especially in shaping how AI and emerging technologies can be developed in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way for the future. — DayakDaily