KUCHING: Sarawak is set to strengthen its position as a regional hub for sustainable development and ESG practices when it hosts the first international conference on Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in Malaysia and ASEAN through The Social Impact Assessment Conference and Exhibition 2026 (SIAC2026).

The prestigious conference, scheduled to take place from 23 to 25 November at Pullman Hotel Kuching, is expected to gather international experts, policymakers, industry players and academic institutions in advancing the agenda of inclusive and sustainable development in the region.

Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the conference is organised by the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak (MUDeNR) in conjunction with LCDA’s 45th anniversary.

According to him, the conference, which will be officiated by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg on 24 November, will serve as an important platform in strengthening inclusive and sustainable development in the region.

“This conference is the first major international conference and exhibition in Malaysia and ASEAN that focuses specifically on Social Impact Assessment.

“The conference theme, ‘From Policy to Practice: Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Development Through Social Impact Assessment’, will serve as a bridge between policy dialogue, technical expertise and practical implementation,” he said.

He said this during a press conference at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex on Thursday.

Elaborating further, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah added that the organisation of SIAC2026 reflects the active role of LCDA and MUDeNR in promoting sustainable and socially responsible development in Sarawak, particularly through urban renewal, land development and community engagement initiatives.

He added that the conference is also aligned with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), particularly its pillars of Economic Prosperity, Social Inclusivity and Environmental Sustainability.

“At the same time, it further strengthens Sarawak’s role as a regional hub for ESG practices and inclusive development,” he said.

Datuk Amar Awang Tengah also revealed that SIAC2026 will feature renowned international and regional experts in SIA and sustainable development, including Professor Frank Vanclay from the University of Groningen and Carlos T. Perez-Brito from the World Bank office in Singapore.

In addition, experts and practitioners from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are also expected to participate as attendees, speakers, moderators and panellists.

The conference programme will include plenary sessions, keynote addresses, technical presentations, ESG forums, workshops, exhibitions, university student poster competitions, networking sessions and site visits. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Gabriel Rommy
Photo: Ibanez Jeffery
Translator: Uilson Ng