KUCHING – The hosting of the 11th International Conference on Low Carbon Asia (ICLCA 2025) has reinforced Sarawak’s emerging role as a regional pacesetter in climate action and sustainable development. The event, held in Kuching, served as a significant platform for sharing knowledge and strategies to accelerate the global transition towards a low-carbon economic model.
In his address at the closing ceremony held at the Hikmah Exchange Convention Centre, Sarawak’s Deputy Premier, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, emphasised the conference’s critical function. He stated that the gathering proved sustainability is attainable through the collaborative sharing of ideas, alignment of objectives, and concerted effort.
“The discourse initiated at this conference must be sustained, translated into practical action, embedded within policy frameworks, and advanced through ongoing partnership,” he said. He expressed confidence that the conference’s outcomes would catalyse new projects, knowledge exchange, and innovative thinking, steering Sarawak and the wider region towards a more sustainable and intelligent future.
The Deputy Premier, who also holds the portfolios of Minister of Industrial Development, Trade and Investment and Second Minister of Natural Resources and Rural Development, noted the assembly of international experts and researchers. Their discussions centred on how technological innovation and engineering can deliver clean energy solutions essential for sustainable progress.
He articulated that the global shift towards sustainability is not merely an objective but a complex undertaking that demands technical, economic, and ethical commitment. This endeavour, he added, requires meticulous planning, disciplined execution, and consistent cooperation.
These initiatives are closely aligned with the state’s own policy direction, particularly the Sarawak Energy Distribution Policy (SET-P) and the *Sarawak Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030*. A central pillar of this strategy is the ambitious goal of achieving carbon-free energy by 2050, strengthening the state’s commitment to clean energy and sustainable development.
To realise this vision, Sarawak is channelling its efforts into several key areas. The state is actively developing its capacity in renewable energy, green hydrogen production, energy efficiency measures, low-carbon transportation, and carbon capture technologies.
A testament to its progress is the current energy mix; over 60 per cent of Sarawak’s electricity is now generated from hydropower sources. This significant achievement underscores the state’s tangible success in reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
The 11th ICLCA conference was organised for the first time by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) through its Institute of Sustainable and Renewable Energy (iSURE). The event was held in strategic collaboration with several key government bodies, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Rural Development and the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, alongside Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM).
The closing ceremony was also attended by UNIMAS Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ahmad Hata Rasit and the Co-Chairman of the ICLCA 2025 Organising Committee, Professor Ts. Dr. Shanti Faridah Salleh, who also serves as the Director of UNIMAS iSURE.
