17-07-2025
Inanam venue for Asean event
Published on: Thursday, July 17, 2025
Published on: Thu, Jul 17, 2025 Text Size: Participants pose for a group photo during the AYV 2025 Welcoming Dinner. Kota Kinabalu: Kampung Kobuni in Inanam has been chosen as the main venue for the Asean Youth Volunteer Programme 2025 (AYV 2025) currently taking place in Sabah, bringing together 40 youths from 11 Asean member countries in a regional effort to foster cultural exchange and volunteerism. The seven-day programme, from July 12 to 19, is organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia in conjunction with the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025, aiming to empower youth through community development, environmental awareness and cultural immersion activities.
Advertisement Village head Aji Rombuton, 66, said the involvement of the community in the programme is a recognition of the villagers' ongoing commitment to preserving local culture and supporting homestay tourism initiatives. 'This village has long been known and has participated in various programmes even before AYV. The residents are always open to visitors and proudly uphold our local culture as our strength. 'Activities conducted include beautifying the community hall with mural paintings, traditional games, gotong-royong (communal work), cultural exchanges and environmental awareness programmes involving both villagers and international participants. 'The Kobuni Cultural Hall also serves as the venue for traditional performances, heritage showcases, and ethnic cooking demonstrations, offering participants a first-hand experience of the local way of life,' he said during the AYV 2025 Welcoming Dinner on Sunday. Homestay Desa Cinta Kobuni and Homestay Id Kalangadan recently received the Asean Homestay Standard Award (AHSA) in recognition of their achievements in preserving cultural heritage, boosting local economy and practising internationally recognised sustainable tourism. Sos Solihen, a participant from Cambodia, described his experience in AYV 2025 as heartfelt and strengthening regional ties. 'We were welcomed like family. Sharing meals with our host families and joining village activities were truly meaningful,' he said. Meanwhile, Brunei participant Aqilah Aziemah Junaidi expressed her excitement in contributing to a solar panel installation project and said she looks forward to sharing the experience with her community back home. 'This programme is inspiring — it shows how young people can be agents of change at the grassroots level,' she said. For Jeremiah Lucas Jugo, a Sarawak native representing Malaysia, AYV 2025 serves as a platform to connect youths from diverse backgrounds through service and cultural understanding. 'Our identities may differ, but this programme unites us on the basis of humanity and Asean solidarity. 'It also reinforces Sabah's image as a state rich in cultural diversity and strong rural communities, proving that even a small village like Kobuni can become a ground for meaningful regional collaboration,' he added. AYV 2025 gathers youth from Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, the Philippines and Laos. According to the Asean Secretariat's website, youth make up one-third of the Asean population and are expected to number over 220 million by 2038. Therefore, empowering young people through initiatives like AYV 2025 is crucial in shaping a more inclusive and resilient regional future. * 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.
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