ILO, ASEAN Sec-gen Praise Sim's Leadership In Skills Development
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) -- Human Resource Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has received high praise from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn for his visionary leadership in advancing skills development and human capital investment across the region.
Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) in a statement said the recognition comes as Malaysia, under its ASEAN Chairmanship hosted the ASEAN Human Capital Development Investment Symposium (AHCDIS), here today.
According to the statement, Kao praised Malaysia's commitment, expressing his appreciation to the ministry and the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) for their visionary leadership in launching the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 (AYOS 2025) as a flagship initiative under Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship.
'This symposium provides a timely and meaningful platform to reaffirm our collective commitment to investing in our people, the true architects of ASEAN's growth and the foundation of ASEAN's resilience and progress,' Kao said.
The symposium brought together around 300 key stakeholders from across ASEAN to discuss strategic investments in skills and human capital development.
Themed 'Investment in Human Capital, Sustainable Financing, Public-Private Partnerships and Social Inclusion', the event is a flagship platform under the AYOS 2025, which aims to bridge skills gaps, foster talent mobility and promote inclusive growth throughout the region.
AYOS 2025, led by KESUMA, features seven flagship events, including the AHCDIS and the National Training Week (NTW), both designed to drive collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation across the region.
These efforts align with Malaysia's broader vision to position ASEAN as a global leader in skilled talent and sustainable development.
Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 marks a pivotal moment for the country and the region. As Chair, Malaysia is leading a year-long series of initiatives and high-level meetings focused on inclusivity, sustainability, and regional cooperation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
44 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Keep Thailand-Cambodia peace push alive: Experts
Published on: Sunday, August 17, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 17, 2025 Text Size: The ceasefire agreement brokered in July under Malaysia's facilitation not only defused tensions between the two neighbours but also demonstrated that the regional bloc, with decisive leadership, can move beyond statements and deliver tangible outcomes. (Pic: IISS) The upcoming Asean Summit in October will be a key test of Malaysia's ability to sustain momentum in resolving the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict, with analysts noting that Kuala Lumpur's leadership has restored confidence in Asean's capacity to address regional disputes. They observed that the ceasefire agreement brokered in July under Malaysia's facilitation not only defused tensions between the two neighbours but also demonstrated that the regional bloc, with decisive leadership, can move beyond statements and deliver tangible outcomes. ISIS Thailand Director Dr Pongphisoot Busbarat said the ongoing facilitation under Malaysia's leadership had been crucial in building trust between the parties, strengthening Asean's credibility, and averting the conflict from escalating into a prolonged crisis. 'Malaysia's leadership at this time is very important, absolutely. It's a key first step towards conflict resolution, and both parties agree to implement the ceasefire, even though some skirmishes still happen. 'But then, at least with that spirit of ceasefire, it can just keep going on. I think Malaysia's role is very key. And you know, as the Asean Chair, and with both countries trusting Malaysia to play this role,' he told Bernama. Pongphisoot further pointed out that the Asean principle of non-interference remains in place, but in the today's global challenge and context, it appears to be applied with adjustments to allow for more effective conflict resolution. He said Asean's long-standing non-interference principle should be applied in a way that enables, rather than hinders, constructive engagement. 'In this current geopolitical context, we need to adjust, right, how to use the non-interference principle in a wiser way… it doesn't mean that we should use that intramural norm as an obstacle to solving the conflict at this stage,' he said. Concurring with Pongphisoot, Associate Professor Dr Chaiwat Meesantan, Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies at Thammasat University, said the October summit would be an opportunity to showcase Malaysia's role in brokering the ceasefire and, in doing so, revitalise Asean's image. He said the facilitation of the July agreement had shown that Asean, when led with conviction, could settle disputes without the involvement of outside powers. 'Asean plays a very important role in helping Thailand and Cambodia arrive at a solution to a problem and to agree to a ceasefire, as in the past July, and this shows Asean's impact when led strongly - it can solve the problem by our own organisation, not from outside,' he said. Both analysts also agreed that the Philippines should commit to sustaining the current momentum when it assumes the Asean Chairmanship next year and called for greater engagement with Asean's dialogue partners to support peace efforts. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
an hour ago
- Daily Express
Asean to lead Global South in low-carbon, sustainable growth
Published on: Sunday, August 17, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 17, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz SUBANG JAYA: Asean can set the benchmark for sustainable growth in the Global South if policies, businesses, and people are aligned towards a low-carbon future, said the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He said that as Asean is projected to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030, it is important for the region to be more proactive in climate leadership, given its vulnerability to climate risks due to its lengthy 173,000-kilometre coastline. 'Under our Asean Chairmanship, Malaysia is pushing for initiatives that make sustainability a collective and financially viable goal,' he said. Tengku Zafrul said this in his keynote address at the Economic and Leadership Forum (ELF) here. 'Our vision is to transform Asean into a global hub for green investment and technology. 'This is why we are championing Priority Economic Deliverables, covering important objectives such as sustainable investments, green financing and capital, an Asean Electric Vehicles roadmap, green transition for micro, small and medium enterprises, and positioning Asean as a sustainable minerals investment destination,' he said. He also expressed hope that these deliverables would be translated into domestic policies that reduce risk for investors, accelerate technology adoption, and ensure that sustainability generates viable returns. 'If we can move first – if Malaysia and Asean can make the green transition ahead of our global competitors – we can secure leadership and attract capital in sustainable investments, manufacturing and trade. 'We can build not just products but also the 'people-planet-profit' trust and credibility,' he explained. Tengku Zafrul further said as Asean chair, Malaysia has been urging member states to adopt a stronger, more unified stance on climate action. He said the government is committed to leading the region's sustainability agenda, particularly through the Guidelines for Implementing Asean Sustainable Initiatives (GPPIAL). 'Malaysia itself is guided by the National Climate Change Policy 2.0, and we are preparing to table the National Climate Change Bill this year,' he said. The ELF Forum is an annual event hosted by the London School of Economics Student Union (LSESU) Malaysia Club to promote meaningful discussion on real-world issues from a Malaysian perspective amongst youths. Sunway Education Group chief executive officer, Professor Datuk Elizabeth Lee said the forum, themed 'Asean Business Policy: What's The Sustainability Blueprint' is most timely as the Asean region grapples with an intensifying climate crisis that is taking a toll both on the environment and local communities. 'National policies and regional cooperation must be shaped not only by scientific evidence and environmental urgency, but also by the political will and institutional capacity to act and to drive meaningful and lasting change,' she said in her welcoming speech video. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: Aug 17, 2025
About 2.6 million people have benefited from the China-aided Cambodia Landmine Elimination Project over the past seven years. Over 160 square kilometres of land contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance were cleared. The National Bank of Cambodia's Preah Srey Içanavarman Museum of Economy and Money is hosting the 'Cambodia: 1972 – 1975' exhibition. It aims to create public awareness about the economic history and the evolution of money in the Kingdom. MYANMAR TEAM ENTERS ASEAN WOMEN'S FOOTBALL FINAL -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR Myanmar's women's football team will appear in the ASEAN Women's Championship final after 10 years, following the victory over Thailand. The national team beat Thailand 2-1 during the semifinal match held in Vietnam. TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE FARMING -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR The government plans to transfer farm machinery produced by the Agricultural Mechanisation Department in Nay Pyi Taw to small farming businesses at affordable prices. Machinery such as the rice planter can help farmers improve their productivity. PHILIPPINES DEFENCE, SECURITY FIRMS EXPLORING BUSINESS PROSPECTS IN PH -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY (PNA) A number of United States defense and security firms are seeing opportunities in co-production, joint development, and technology transfers in the Philippines, the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Council (USABC) said Saturday. OF 2026 BUDGET DELIBERATIONS TO BOOST TRANSPARENCY: DBM -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY (PNA) The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Saturday backed the proposal to livestream all congressional budget deliberations to promote transparency and public engagement. SINGAPORE 280 VAPES SEIZED, MORE THAN 640 PEOPLE CHECKED BY POLICE, HSA IN ANTI-VAPE RAIDS AT NIGHTSPOTS -- THE STRAITS TIMES More than 280 e-vaporisers have been seized after the authorities raided pubs, bars and KTV lounges islandwide on Aug 15. SENGKANG-PUNGGOL LRT DISRUPTION: LTA, SBS TRANSIT WORKING TO AVOID REPEAT OF RARE 'DOUBLE FAULT' SCENARIO -- CNA The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SBS Transit are working on eliminating a recurrence of the "double fault" scenario that affected the North-East Line (NEL) and Sengkang-Punggol LRT. THAILAND 1. HOUSE APPROVES 2026 BUDGET BILL IN THIRD READING WITH 257 VOTES IN FAVOUR -- THE NATION Thailand's House of Representatives passed the 2026 annual budget bill in its third reading with 257 votes, paving the way for government policy implementation. 2. PT REJECTS 'SECRET DEAL' RUMOURS -- BANGKOK POST The Pheu Thai Party (PT) denies claims that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra struck a secret deal with Constitutional Court judges to influence the upcoming ruling in suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's case over a leaked audio clip of her conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. VIETNAM INDUSTRY ON GROWTH TRAJECTORY -- VIETNAMPLUS The cement industry is recovering this year after a glut in the market due to oversupply and poor domestic demand. Rising investment in public infrastructure projects, combined with lower product costs, is helping to drive the sector's recovery. HOSTS PROUD TO BE VIETNAMESE EVENT -- VIETNAM NEWS Authorities in Hanoi will divert traffic flow in the city during the art and political programme 'Proud to be Vietnamese' to be held today at the square of My Dinh National Stadium. It is to ensure the programme runs smoothly. -- BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
