KUCHING: Sarawak will host the first major international conference and exhibition dedicated to social impact assessment (SIA) in Malaysia and the ASEAN region through the Social Impact Assessment Conference and Exhibition 2026 (SIAC2026).
The conference is jointly organised by the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak (MUDeNR) in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Social Impact Assessment (MSIA) and PLANMalaysia.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the conference would be the first of its scale focusing specifically on SIA in Malaysia and the ASEAN region.
“We expect about 700 participants, including around 500 foreign delegates,” he said during a press conference at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex today (May 14).
Held in conjunction with the LCDA’s 45th anniversary celebration, the conference will take place from November 23 to 25 at the Pullman Hotel here.
“The theme of the conference will bridge policy dialogue, technical expertise and practical implementation.
“As development accelerates through urban transformation, infrastructure expansion and industrial growth, SIAC2026 will emphasise strengthening community participation, stakeholder collaboration and social impact management,” he said.
Awang Tengah said the conference reflects Sarawak’s commitment towards sustainable and socially responsible development in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030.
Among the international speakers expected at the conference are Professor Frank Vanclay from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and Carlos T. Perez-Brito from the World Bank in Singapore.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to officiate the conference on November 24.
