Asia’s leader in sustainable business events

KUCHING: Sarawak’s Business Events Sarawak Legacy Initiative (BESLegacy Initiative) has clinched the coveted Best Sustainability Initiative in the Destination category at the prestigious M&C (Meetings & Conventions) Asia Stella Awards.

Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah highlighted Sarawak’s commitment to sustainable business events through the state’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030.

“Economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability are the three aspirations we wish to achieve,” he said in a statement today (Sept 27).

Meanwhile, BESarawak chairman Datuk Seri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Abang Openg said that the initiative’s focus on creating a more sustainable economy, society, and environment through business events.

“Our Tribe Legacy Sarawak campaign tagline ‘Driving Impact Together’ perfectly encapsulates the collaborative spirit required to achieve meaningful outcomes,” he said.

BESarawak CEO Amelia Roziman, attributed the initiative’s significant impact to a series of smaller and meaningful efforts.

“This recognition motivates us to continue securing business events that align with government priorities and community interests, ensuring that each event contributes to long-term, sustainable progress,” she said.

In a step towards measuring sustainability outcomes, BESarawak had partnered with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to conduct an economic and legacy impact study.

The BESLegacy Initiative, developed in 2020, is a pioneering framework in Malaysia that empowers business event planners to strategise sustainable event legacies.