KUCHING: The Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) was introduced to instil in future leaders across ASEAN a strong sense of responsibility of environmental stewardship and sustainable development, says Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Abdul Karim said the initiative, driven by the Sarawak Tourism Board, aspires to grow into a wider movement that nurtures responsible young leaders who are conscious of global sustainability challenges.
“We believe we have a responsibility not only to our children but also to the world and that is the reason this initiative was started.
“I truly believe that every leader, whether in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia or elsewhere, must ensure that young people, who are the future leaders of their countries, get the support they need,” he said.
He said this at a press conference during the Rainforest Youth Summit 2025 (RAYS2025): Living Landscape: Shaping a Sustainable Future at Hikmah Exchange Event Centre (HEEC) here yesterday (June 18).
He added that the summit is more than just a gathering as it serves as a platform for young people to voice their ideas and expectations, which the government can incorporate into future policies.
“And I’m very sure the organiser of the event, they are also collecting data, getting these data and it will be presented to us.
“These are the kind of things that the youth would want to see. That is how we move forward,” he added.
He said that his ministry also goes to the ground through programmes such as Jelajah Belia, engaging with young people in both rural and urban communities to understand their aspirations.
“We meet them where they are, whether in cities or villages. Through town halls and dialogue sessions, we collect their ideas about how they want their communities to grow,” he said.
He emphasised that instilling this mindset in youth across the region is crucial to ensure future generations inherit a planet worth protecting.
“Deep down, I want to see our youth grow into responsible global citizens who care about good governance and environmental protection.
“Even if only ten per cent of what we share here sinks in, that’s already a big achievement and when they return to their countries, I hope they take with them the sense of duty to safeguard the environment.
“It’s a cycle, today’s youth will be tomorrow’s leaders, and they must continue this mission for the sake of generations to come,” Karim said.
Held from June 18 to 20 at HEEC and Sarawak Cultural Village, the summit themed “Living Landscapes: Charting a Sustainable Future”, gathered over 700 young leaders, changemakers and advocates from Malaysia and across ASEAN.
Participants will engage in plenary sessions, workshops, cultural exchanges and youth-led planning.
The summit will conclude with delegates attending the Rainforest World Music Festival, celebrating sustainability alongside Sarawak’s rich heritage.
