KUCHING: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is pursuing international ISO certification for sustainable event management, with this year’s Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) serving as the first event to undergo assessment.
STB chief executive officer Dr Sharzede Salleh Askor said the board is embedding sustainability practices across its flagship events as it works towards the certification.
“We are working very, very hard to set a standard for the international market to show that we are serious about our sustainability efforts,” she said during a press conference held in conjunction with the opening day of RWMF 2026 at the Sarawak Cultural Village on Friday (June 26).
She said the assessment covers every aspect of event management, including waste reduction, responsible sourcing, labour practices and environmental initiatives.
Among the measures introduced at this year’s festival are free water refill stations to reduce single use plastics, stricter waste management practices and requirements for vendors to comply with responsible labour standards, including ensuring children are not involved in festival operations.
Sharzede said a portion of every RWMF ticket sold will contribute towards tree planting, with STB targeting 3,800 trees this year and 10,000 trees over the next five years.
She said the initiative will be implemented together with local communities, which will care for the trees to ensure their long-term survival and environmental benefits.
Following RWMF, the ISO assessment will continue at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) event and the Borneo Jazz Festival before STB learns whether it has achieved the certification.
Sharzede said the initiative reflects STB’s commitment to strengthening Sarawak’s position as a responsible tourism destination through internationally recognised sustainability standards.
