SDG Youth Forum

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) organised the SDG Youth Forum in conjunction with a delegation visit from Tsinghua University, China, on 5 February 2026 as a high-impact strategic initiative aimed at strengthening academic collaboration and expanding international networks. The organisation of this forum reflects the strong commitment of both institutions to advancing the global sustainability agenda through the active engagement of students and youth as strategic partners in sustainable development.

The forum served as a strategic discussion platform, bringing together institutional representatives, academics, and young leaders to enrich discourse, exchange ideas, and share experiences on climate resilience, sustainability, and current climate change challenges. Through critical thinking, innovation, and youth-driven perspectives, the forum underscored the vital role of young people as agents of change capable of formulating progressive, impactful, and sustainable solutions aligned with the aspirations and agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The programme commenced with a sharing session by Associate Professor Dr. Tanot Unjah from LESTARI UKM, who discussed the dynamic relationship between the environment and ongoing changes, as well as its role in supporting a nation’s sustainable development ecosystem. This was followed by a presentation by Miss Xinyan Zhao, a PhD candidate from the School of Environment, Tsinghua University, who shared insights on sustainable urban development as a key strategy for enhancing urban resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The subsequent youth forum session was moderated by Ms. Norsyahira Saffiee from UKM-YSD and featured a distinguished panel of young representatives, including Miss Lailatul Zayyani binti Awaludin from the National University of Malaysia Students’ Union (KMUKM), Mr. Muhammad Ariful Ajib bin Wan Ariffin from the Environment and Green Energy of Malaysia Association (EniGMA UKM), as well as Miss Xinyan Zhao and Miss How Li Jia from Tsinghua University. The interactive discussion emphasised the importance of youth engagement in climate change adaptation efforts, leadership development, and the advancement of the sustainable development agenda at both institutional and global levels.

Overall, the SDG Youth Forum reflects UKM’s continued commitment to strengthening international collaborative networks, empowering youth voices and leadership, and supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals—towards achieving inclusive, resilient, and sustainable global development.