KUALA LUMPUR, 10 September – As Malaysia faces increasing pressures to address challenges encompassing sustainability, economic growth, and social inclusivity, the generation of young professionals needs to step up to the challenge. Malaysian youth, comprising 45.8% of the total population, are the present-day change agents capable of driving sustainable change across industries, and soon becoming the dominant workforce in the country.
Findings from the Young Executive Sustainability PULSE Survey 2024 reveal that 84.1% of young professionals believe sustainability-focused careers offer significant growth opportunities in the coming years. This highlights the increasing relevance of sustainability in career development and the pressing need for upskilling in this field. Recognising the often underappreciated contributions of young professionals, the Young Executives Sustainability Summit 2024 (#YESS2024) has emerged as a crucial platform to empower Malaysia’s young leaders to drive transformative sustainability efforts across industries.
Organised by the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB), #YESS2024 commenced its second edition yesterday at the AIAC Auditorium, Bangunan Sulaiman gathered over 200 dynamic young leaders, sustainability advocates, and industry experts to discuss, learn, and network around the theme “Young Executives As Change Agents For A Forward Faster Sustainable Future.”
“Young professionals are not just the future leaders of our organisations and societies; they are the present-day change agents capable of being the forward-thinkers with innovative ideas and fresh perspectives,” said Faroze Nadar, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei during his welcoming remarks. “YESS 2024 is our commitment to empowering them with the right tools, networks, and knowledge to harness their leadership, vision, and dedication in accelerating the transition to a sustainable world.”
This year’s summit featured a dynamic array of activities designed to inspire and equip participants with cutting-edge tools and insights for impactful sustainability practices. Key highlights included an engaging panel session on how digitalisation and innovation can address environmental challenges, enhance social well-being, and promote ethical governance. The event also covered strategies for navigating uncertain futures and key takeaways to be change-makers in the lens of business and entrepreneurship.
The half-day event culminated in an inspiring discussion led by YB Tuan Syahredzan Bin Johan, Member of Parliament for Bangi. He shared his perspective on nurturing and empowering the next generation in alignment with the principles of Malaysia Madani. The dialogue underscored the importance of continuous empowerment and dedicated platforms to enable young executives to drive Malaysia toward a resilient and sustainable future.
With #YESS2024, UNGCMYB continues to advocate for action to shape the business sustainability landscape in Malaysia and Brunei, supporting the nation’s commitment to achieving the biggest, fastest impact by 2030.
