Gambardella said that nations and corporations must unite to construct a "truly interconnected and secure digital ecosystem."

BARCELONA, Spain, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Global collaboration is the key to unlocking technological progress and building a sustainable, inclusive future, said business insider Luigi Gambardella in an exclusive interview during the Mobile World Congress 2025.

Gambardella, president of the Brussels-based international digital association ChinaEU, told Xinhua that as 5G continues to mature and 6G appears on the horizon, nations and corporations must unite to construct a "truly interconnected and secure digital ecosystem."

With mobile technology rapidly evolving, international cooperation has never been more critical, Gambardella underlined. "No single country or company can fully harness the potential of 5G, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven networks, and the emerging 6G ecosystem alone."

The mobile industry flourishes through cross-border partnerships in research, development and standardization, Gambardella said, and joint efforts will accelerate breakthroughs in AI-powered telecom networks, quantum communications, and next-generation connectivity. Meanwhile, harmonized global standards are vital to ensure smooth interoperability across borders.

A unified approach also strengthens supply chain resilience, reducing vulnerabilities stemming from trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions, Gambardella told Xinhua.

Sustainability is another crucial area where global collaboration can ignite significant progress, he stressed.

Developing energy-efficient mobile networks, cutting down on e-waste, and integrating climate technology solutions are essential steps towards achieving net-zero emissions in the telecom sector.

Looking ahead to 6G, Gambardella said that cooperation will become even more indispensable. The next generation of mobile technology will fuse AI, satellite communications, and ultra-high-speed networks, making the need for unified standards and coordinated infrastructure deployment more pressing than ever.

Like a jigsaw puzzle, a fragmented approach could stunt innovation and create mismatched pieces, preventing individual areas of progress from fitting together cohesively, Gambardella explained.

Chinese companies have evolved from low-cost manufacturers to leading the charge in 5G, AI, and smartphone innovation, and have become the driving force in the mobile phone industry, he said, adding that "as major players in both hardware and telecom infrastructure," Chinese companies are poised for continued development.