(From left) Sarawak Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Abdul Karim, Ngau and STB board member Senator Robert Lau at the opening of the Rainforest Youth Summit.
SARAWAK has taken steps to empower youths to champion sustainability through the inaugural Rainforest Youth Summit 2024.
Some 1,000 participants representing over 40 universities from 10 Asean countries attended the summit ahead of the Rainforest World Music Festival.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the summit’s theme, “Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future”, aligned with common goals to safeguard the environment.
“Youth engagement and advocacy are at the heart of our sustainability efforts,” he said in a speech read out by Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the summit’s opening in Kuching.
Abang Johari said it was vital to empower youths to take the lead in shaping dialogues and driving action.
“Youths’ innovative approaches to advocacy will inspire policy changes and mindset shifts,” he said.
The Premier also reiterated Sarawak’s commitment to sustainability, which includes addressing climate change, inequality and hardcore poverty.
He said one of the state’s key initiatives was the reduction of carbon emissions.
“The Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Bill 2023, Sarawak Land Code (Carbon Storage) Rules 2022 and Forests (Forest Carbon Activity) Rules 2022 chart our direction towards a 2050 net zero carbon emission goal.
“These efforts are crucial to ensure our communities are resilient against the impacts of climate change,” he said.
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Dennis Ngau said the summit provided youths a platform to voice their ideas and lead discussions.
“We believe in the power of young leaders to drive positive change.
“Their fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and boundless energy are crucial in addressing the environmental challenges we face today,” he said.
The summit focused on three key pillars – indigenous-centred approaches, youth-driven solutions and creative advocacy.
Its keynote speakers included Rizal Hadi from Indonesia, Lara Ariffin and Irshad Mobarak from Malaysia, Hilda Nakabuye from Uganda and Kera Sherwood from New Zealand.
They addressed a range of topics from gender perspectives to the art of conservation, climate activism and indigenous storytelling.
