SICO Borneo paves way for Sarawak becoming SSEAYP’s port of call in 2027

KUCHING (Feb 1): The Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSYEAP) International Conference Borneo is perceived as a vital approach in bolstering Sarawak’s role in youth diplomacy and international engagement.

State Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hailed the conference – also known as SICO Borneo – as signifying Sarawak’s preparations to serve as a port of call for the SSEAYP next year.

“This conference brings together youths from diverse cultures, backgrounds and perspectives.

“While you may come from different places, you are united by a shared purpose: to learn, to grow and to contribute meaningfully to your communities and to the world.

“SICO Borneo 2026 reflects our shared belief that youths are not just leaders of tomorrow; they are partners in shaping today’s world,” he said in his speech text for SICO Borneo 2026 Welcoming Dinner at a hotel here on Friday.

Abdul Karim’s text-of-speech was delivered by Deputy State Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu.

Adding on, Abdul Karim affirmed the state’s firm belief in ‘inclusive development’, where both rural and urban communities could experience progress.

“Programmes such as SICO Borneo serve as that bridge, connecting local youths with regional and global outlooks, while grounding international dialogues in local realities.”

He said more significantly, the conference signified the state government’s commitment to investing in youths as catalysts for innovation, unity, and sustainable development.

“As the Minister in charge of youths, I am encouraged by young people who dare to be curious, stay engaged and willing to step outside their comfort zones.”

Running until today (Feb 1), the three-day conference gathers participants not only from Sarawak and Sabah, but also from Brunei, Indonesia and other countries.

Jointly organised by SSEAYP International Malaysia (Kabesa) and State Ministry for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development (Mysed), the event is themed ‘Internationalisation and Globalisation of Sarawak Youth and Asean’.

Participants are engaged in high-impact plenary sessions and dialogues surrounding topics such as sustainable development, youth’s role in Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategies 2030, artificial intelligence (AI), globalisation, and integrity in youth advocacy.

Also present at the welcoming dinner were the Kabesa president Datuk Che Muhamad Nordin Ismail; Daro assemblyman and Sarawak United National Youth Organisation (Saberkas) secretary-general Dr Safiee Ahmad; Youth and Sports Department director-general Azura Abidin, and Mysed permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron.