Photo: YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, together with YB Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Deputy Minister for Tourism; YB Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts; YB Dato Gerald Rentap Jabu, Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports; and YB Datuk Dr Ripin Lamat, Deputy Minister for Entrepreneur Development, posing for a group photo with delegates during the Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2025.
Rainforest Youth Summit 2026 will take place in Kuching, Sarawak, from 24–26 June 2026, with PATA endorsing the youth-led sustainability platform.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has endorsed the Rainforest Youth Summit 2026 (RAYS 2026), held in collaboration with the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB). The summit will take place in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, from 24–26 June 2026.
Positioned as a collaborative platform for environmental conservation and sustainable development, Rainforest Youth Summit 2026 will bring together young leaders, sustainability advocates and emerging changemakers from across ASEAN and beyond. The programme is designed to foster youth-led dialogue on climate resilience and to support the development of pragmatic action plans aligned with responsible and inclusive transformation.
Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA, said: “Having had the opportunity to attend RAYS last year, I was inspired by the strong participation of youth united by a clear and shared purpose: protecting our environment. This dialogue is one that PATA is proud to support, and I am confident that RAYS 2026 will continue to serve as a vital platform for young people to exchange ideas, take action, and emerge as changemakers for our planet.”
As an endorser, PATA will utilise its global network of student chapters and communication channels to expand outreach and visibility for the event.
Dr. Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, CEO of the Sarawak Tourism Board, said: “We deeply appreciate the continued endorsement from PATA, which reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership and shared commitment to advancing sustainable tourism. As host of the Rainforest Youth Summit 2026, Sarawak remains focused on delivering a structured platform that connects youth, industry, and community stakeholders in meaningful collaboration across ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific.”