Zahid on four-day working visit to Britain
LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is set to undertake a four-day working visit to Britain from June 1 to 4.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, will be accompanied by senior government officials from the Foreign Ministry, Rural and Regional Development Ministry, and Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Ministry.
The visit comes on the heels of recent high-level engagements between Malaysia and the UK, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit in January and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof's visit in April, signalling Malaysia's commitment to enhancing multilateral and bilateral cooperation.
High Commissioner of Malaysia to the UK Datuk Zakri Jaafar said Malaysia, as the Asean Chair for 2025, will use this opportunity to share the progress achieved under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' and to discuss future regional strategies and programmes.
"According to the itinerary, Ahmad Zahid and his delegation are expected to arrive at Heathrow International Airport at approximately 8.15pm on June 1," he told reporters at the Malaysian High Commission.
Among the key highlights of the visit is a bilateral meeting scheduled for June 2 with UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, he added.
"The discussion will focus not only on enhancing Malaysia-UK cooperation but also delve into disaster risk management, aligning with Ahmad Zahid's role as Chair of the Central Disaster Management Committee.
On the same day, Ahmad Zahid is slated to deliver a keynote address at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Forum titled 'Malaysia's TVET Leadership in Asean Building Skills for a Shared Future' at University College London (UCL), Zakri said.
"The forum will gather representatives from Asean missions in the UK, students, university officials, academics, and researchers.
"Later that evening, Ahmad Zahid will host a special gathering with approximately 120 Malaysian students based in the UK, reinforcing the government's engagement with the diaspora community," he added.
Zakri said on June 3, Ahmad Zahid will chair two roundtable meetings—one with UK-based franchise industry players and another with tourism sector agencies.
"He is also scheduled to officiate the UK launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, aimed at promoting Malaysia as a premier travel destination for the UK and broader European markets.
"To support this promotional drive, the Deputy Prime Minister will participate in exclusive media interviews with prominent travel publications TTG Media and Wanderlust.
"The visit will conclude with Ahmad Zahid's departure to Geneva on June 4, continuing his overseas engagements," he said.
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