KUCHING: The RAYS ASEAN Access Fund is a special financial support mechanism to help youth from ASEAN countries participate in the Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2026 which will be held from 24 to 26 June in Kuching.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the fund was created to ensure that participation in the summit is not determined by economic background or financial constraints.
According to him, the initiative aims to cover part of the travel and accommodation costs of participants from the ASEAN region so that more youth have the opportunity to engage in dialogues related to climate change and sustainability.
“If RAYS wants to truly become a regional platform, we cannot let geographical factors or financial circumstances determine whose voice is heard,” he said during his speech launching RAYS 2026 here on Wednesday.
The Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (MYSED) added that applications for funding are open to youth aged 18 to 30 from ASEAN countries and will close on 30 March 2026, with financial support structured based on the World Bank’s country income classification.
RAYS 2026 is the third edition of the sustainability-focused youth summit and is expected to bring together over 700 participants from all 11 ASEAN countries and internationally.
Themed ‘Youth: Many Ways, One Planet’, the three-day programme provides space for youth to engage in workshops, plenary sessions and policy discussions on climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Since its introduction, RAYS has brought together over 1,700 youth, 50 speakers and 80 organisations from 37 countries, thus strengthening Sarawak’s position as a youth climate leadership hub in the region.
Also present were MTCP Deputy Ministers Datuk Snowdan Lawan and Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, MYSED Deputy Ministers Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu and Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, as well as Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor. -UKASnews
Prepared By: Grace John Lee
Photo: Hazrin Sunaini
Translator: Nerissa Sia
