Women leading the charge toward a digital, sustainable and inclusive future
KUALA LUMPUR: The 2025 World Women Economic and Business Summit (WWEBS) convened over 200 distinguished participants including policymakers, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders and changemakers from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond at the Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Held under the theme 'Transforming Tomorrow: Women Leading in a Digital, Sustainable and Inclusive Future,' the summit celebrated women's leadership in driving inclusive, sustainable and digitally empowered progress.
Now in its fourth edition since its launch in 2022, WWEBS has firmly established itself as the premier platform in the region dedicated to advancing women's roles in economic and business leadership.
The 2025 summit featured a dynamic mix of plenary discussions, interactive workshops, a fireside chat with women ambassadors and leaders and a special awards ceremony honouring outstanding women in business.
The summit opened with welcoming remarks from WWEBS organising committee chair Datuk Halimah Mohd Said, followed by virtual addresses from United Nations under-secretary-general and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) executive secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and Thailand Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Dr Lalivan Karnchanachari. Both underscored the critical role of women in steering sustainable development and inclusive innovation.
A series of high-impact plenary sessions examined women's influence in some of the most pressing global domains. These included:
• AI and Digital Leadership, featuring voices such as Dr H.C. Cristina Amor Maclang and Oranuch Lerdsuwankij, which explored how women are shaping the future of technology and responsible digital governance.
• Climate Action and the Green Economy, spotlighting the leadership of women in ESG, green business models and renewable energy.
• Global Health Security and Crisis Leadership, where speakers like Datuk Zunaidah Idris and Dr Revati Phalkey discussed women's critical roles in responding to global disruptions while maintaining economic resilience.
In addition, an interactive session titled 'The Power of Arts in Business', led by Brian Cracknell, encouraged participants to think boldly and creatively about women's leadership across sectors.
The afternoon Fireside Chat brought together Nineta Barbulescu, Dr Mariyam Shabeena Ahmed and Chong Chye Neo, offering powerful reflections on diplomacy, business innovation and inclusive policy-making. Moderated by Josephine Romero, the session highlighted the importance of international collaboration and gender-responsive economic ecosystems.
A key highlight of the summit was the presentation of the Women Excellence Awards, recognising trailblazing women who have made outstanding contributions to business, entrepreneurship and community development.
During the keynote session, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri delivered an inspiring address titled 'Transforming Tomorrow: The Power of Women's Leadership', reaffirming the government's commitment to advancing gender parity in leadership and entrepreneurship.
Earlier, Education Ministry deputy director-general (policy and curriculum sector) Dr Rusmini Ku Ahmad, representing the Education Minister, delivered a special luncheon address highlighting the importance of educational pathways for women's economic empowerment.
The second address was delivered by PKR deputy president and former special advisor to the Finance Minister Nurul Izzah Anwar, who shared valuable insights on empowering women in the national development agenda.
'This summit is not just a gathering. It is a movement. A movement to amplify women's voices, celebrate their leadership and reimagine a world where innovation, sustainability and inclusivity are driven by the vision of women leaders.
'We must invest more in education, mentorship and opportunities for women across all sectors to ensure that the future we build is fairer, greener and digitally empowered.' said KSI president Tan Sri Michael Yeoh.
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