Young people are moving beyond advocacy and into leadership, taking on a greater role in shaping climate policies and sustainability solutions. That shift will be at the heart of the Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2026, which returns to Kuching, Sarawak, from 24 to 26 June.

Now in its third edition, the summit is expected to bring together more than 700 youth participants from across ASEAN and beyond, alongside an expanding line-up of global speakers. 

Organisers say this year’s programme reflects the growing recognition that young people should not only participate in climate conversations but also help shape the decisions that influence the future.

Image: STB

Launching the summit, Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said RAYS demonstrates Sarawak’s commitment to placing youth at the forefront of sustainability efforts.

“RAYS reflects Sarawak’s conviction that youth must not be placed at the edge of sustainability conversations, but firmly at the centre of them,” he said.

Since its inception, RAYS has welcomed more than 1,700 participants, over 50 speakers and representatives from 80 organisations across 37 countries. Over the years, the platform has evolved from a dialogue-focused event into a structured programme centred on youth leadership, governance and practical climate action.

A major addition this year is the Planet Futures Forum, an immersive climate simulation that places participants in real-world decision-making scenarios. Delegates will negotiate policies, balance competing priorities and explore the trade-offs involved in climate governance, providing hands-on experience beyond traditional discussions.

Image: STB

Organisers say the initiative is designed to equip young leaders with a deeper understanding of policymaking while strengthening their ability to navigate complex environmental challenges.

The summit will also debut the RAYS Fellowship Programme, a 12-month leadership initiative that will see selected participants work on applied governance challenges, collaborate with Indigenous and local knowledge holders, and contribute proposals linked to regional sustainability priorities.

Carrying the theme “Youth: Many Ways, One Planet,” RAYS 2026 highlights the diversity of young people driving climate action while emphasising their shared responsibility to protect the planet through inclusivity, cross-cultural collaboration and collective leadership.

Speakers involved with the summit have increasingly highlighted the human dimension of climate change.

“When we talk about the climate crisis today, we must understand it’s not just an environmental issue but a deeply human one,” said RAYS 2025 speaker Zoya Miari.

Image: STB

The summit’s location in Kuching also reinforces its message. Sarawak is home to vast rainforest ecosystems and deep peatlands that serve as important global carbon sinks, allowing participants to engage with climate issues in a living environmental setting.

“You are not removed from the realities you speak about. You are surrounded by them,” the Minister said.

Past participants have described RAYS as a transformative platform that builds confidence, expands networks and empowers young people to find their voice. One delegate said the experience gave them “the courage to speak up… confident enough to be myself, and unapologetic in my voice.”

As climate impacts continue to intensify worldwide, organisers believe initiatives like RAYS are helping redefine the role of youth, shifting their involvement from raising awareness to taking meaningful action and contributing to governance.

“We don’t just fight the climate crisis to survive it. We fight it to live, to love, to dream, and to co-create better worlds,” said RAYS 2025 speaker Mitzi Jonelle Tan.

Building on the momentum of previous editions, RAYS 2026 aims to position young people not only as participants in climate conversations but as leaders helping shape the policies and decisions that will define a more sustainable future.

THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN