KUCHING: Sarawak will host an international conference on Social Impact Assessment (SIA) this November, with a focus on strengthening its use as a practical tool for inclusive and sustainable development.
The Social Impact Assessment Conference and Exhibition 2026 (SIAC2026) will be held from Nov 23 to 25 at Pullman Hotel Kuching, bringing together policymakers, industry practitioners, academics and community stakeholders.
Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) general manager Datuk Zaidi Mahdi said the conference reflected Sarawak’s commitment to moving SIA beyond regulatory compliance.
“Through strong collaboration between government, industry and communities, we aim to strengthen SIA implementation so that development decisions deliver meaningful and lasting benefits to the people,” he said in a statement.
Themed “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Development Through Social Impact Assessment”, SIAC2026 will provide a platform for participants to exchange knowledge and best practices in strengthening SIA frameworks, particularly in emerging economies.
Among the speakers are SIA expert Dr Jane Munday and PLANMalaysia Research and Development Division director Dr Chee Ping Ngang.
Munday, who has experience in SIA, community engagement and sustainable development, will take part in a forum on global standards, local realities and inclusive development on Nov 25.
She is also an active member of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) and is co-authoring an SIA textbook with Professor Frank Vanclay, which is scheduled for publication in 2027.
Chee, meanwhile, will participate in a government workshop on strengthening SIA systems and institutional practices on Nov 24.
She has been involved in strengthening Malaysia’s planning framework, including leading the development of the country’s first Planning Guide for Social Impact Assessment.
SIAC2026 is jointly organised by LCDA, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) and Malaysian Association of Social Impact Assessment (MSIA), with support from Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).
Registration, sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available through the SIAC2026 website.
