KUCHING: The Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2026 is entering a new phase focused on turning environmental awareness into action, with young people encouraged to play a greater role in shaping sustainability solutions and leadership initiatives.
Officiating at the summit’s opening ceremony today (June 24), Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the third edition of RAYS is designed to move beyond dialogue and create long term opportunities for youth engagement.
Held in Kuching, the summit has brought together youth representatives from all 11 ASEAN countries alongside participants from beyond the region.
“In its third edition, RAYS enters a new phase. It is moving from awareness to action, from participation to leadership, and from conversation to long-term engagement,” he said.
Abdul Karim said RAYS was established to provide young people with a meaningful platform to contribute ideas and solutions to issues affecting the future of the planet.
“Young people should not only be consulted after decisions are made. They must be part of shaping the questions, designing the solutions, and carrying the work forward,” he said.
According to him, sustainability challenges require diverse perspectives and approaches, which is reflected in this year’s theme, ‘Youth: Many Ways, One Planet’.
“The future will not be shaped by one way of knowing alone. It will require indigenous wisdom, modern science, creative practice, policy thinking, community experience, and youth-led innovation to work together,” he said.
Since its launch, RAYS has brought together more than 1,700 youth participants from 37 countries, alongside over 50 speakers and 80 organisations.
Abdul Karim said Sarawak remains committed to sustainability efforts, noting that about 62 per cent of the state’s land area remains under forest cover.
He said initiatives such as the ‘100 Million Tree Planting Campaign’, peatland conservation programmes, and ecosystem restoration efforts reflect the state’s commitment to balancing conservation with development.
He added that Sarawak continues to advance renewable energy and emissions reduction initiatives as part of its aspiration to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Looking ahead, delegates will contribute to the RAYS Youth Declaration, which will outline youth aspirations and recommendations on sustainability issues, while selected participants will continue their development through the RAYS Fellowship Programme, a 12-month leadership and governance journey involving 10 to 15 young leaders.
“RAYS 2026 is not merely a three-day event. It must become the beginning of continued action, collaboration and youth leadership,” he said.
