By Karen Bong
KUCHING, June 18: Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, expressed his hope that the Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) will evolve into a global movement—one that empowers and nurtures a generation of responsible global citizens who are not only at the forefront of climate action but remain deeply grounded in their cultural heritage.
Held in conjunction with the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), RAYS returned for its second edition this year, drawing more than 700 young leaders, changemakers, and advocates from Malaysia and across the Asean egion.
The three-day summit, which runs from today until June 20, takes place across Hikmah Exchange and Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV), blending global environmental perspectives with local wisdom in a transformative platform for dialogue and action.
Abdul Karim highlighted that Sarawak is setting an example through its Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 with commitment to a future that balances economic advancement, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion.
“Sarawak is investing in renewable energy, green infrastructure, and sustainable tourism. We are also focused on establishing biodiversity corridors to preserve our rich ecological systems,” he said.
Among Sarawak’s most significant achievements, he noted, is the establishment of the Sarawak Delta Geopark, a model for eco-heritage conservation that underscores Sarawak’s dedication to protecting both its natural landscapes and cultural heritage.
“We launched the Sarawak Climate Change Policy in 2023, with clear, ambitious targets aligned with the Paris Agreement. These are more than policy statements—they are vital steps to securing a sustainable future for all Sarawakians, Malaysians, and the wider global community,” he added, during the opening ceremony at Hikmah Exchange today.
As Malaysia assumes the Asean Chairmanship this year, Abdul Karim affirmed that Sarawak stands ready to play a leading role in advancing regional climate and sustainability efforts—with “strength, solidarity, and sincerity.”
“Sarawak is more than just a host—we are a connector of cultures and communities. Through Asean mechanisms such as the Asean Working Group on Climate Change, and youth-focused platforms like the Asean Youth Advocates Network (AYAN) and the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA), we are ensuring that indigenous voices and youth perspectives are heard not only at summits, but also within policymaking arenas.”
From its inception, Abdul Karim emphasised, RAYS was never intended to be just a platform for discussion—but one of co-creation.
“This is where the stories of our forests, rivers, and peoples are shared and heard. Where voices from the Global South rise—not as spectators, but as active architects of a shared future.”
He continued, “Your presence here amplifies Sarawak’s own wisdom and reminds us that real solutions must grow from both global partnerships and deep-rooted local traditions. Your leadership embodies what RAYS stands for—resilience, equity, memory, and imagination.”
As Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Abdul Karim also reflected on this year’s RAYS theme, describing it as a bold call to action—to view the planet as an interconnected living system.
“In the wisdom of the longhouse, in the echo of the sape, in the beauty of our adat and pantun, we find the rhythm of life. And in your green innovations, your climate advocacy, and your community projects, we see the imagination and spirit needed to carry our hopes forward.
“This summit is about bridging worlds—where climate justice walks side-by-side with cultural survival, where technology learns from tradition, and where the dreams of the elders are carried forward by the young into the light of tomorrow,” he said.
He concluded with a powerful message to participants: “Let this be the spark of new collaborations, new commitments, and new initiatives. Take what you learn here back to your communities. Build networks. Raise your voice. Protect what must be protected. Reimagine what must be changed. And always, walk together—as we say in Sarawak—Segulai Sejalai: Together in Unity.”
RAYS 2025 will focus on bridging traditional knowledge with modern climate solutions. This year’s summit, themed “Living Landscapes: Charting a Sustainable Future”, underscores the importance of indigenous leadership, biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism, and climate justice—while ensuring youth voices actively shape local and regional policy and practice.
The summit aims to equip young changemakers with the knowledge, tools, and global networks needed to lead the way toward a more inclusive and sustainable world.
Deputy Minister of Tourism Dato Sebastian Ting, Deputy Minister of Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister of Entreprenuer Development Datuk Ripin Lamat, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport Development Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Dato Dennis Ngau and its chief executive officer (CEO) Sharzede Salleh Askor were among those present. — DayakDaily
