The Pacific Asia Travel Association confirms it will once again endorse the Rainforest Youth Summit 2026, held in collaboration with the Sarawak Tourism Board, in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, from June 24 to 26, 2026.
The event positions itself as a regional platform focused on environmental conservation and sustainable development, bringing together young leaders, sustainability advocates and emerging changemakers from across ASEAN and beyond. The summit is funded and organised by the State Government of Sarawak and endorsed by ASEAN, PATA and UN Tourism.
Early bird tickets are available from today until March 15 via the official summit website, and applications are open for the RAYS ASEAN Access Fund to support youths from the ASEAN region seeking financial assistance. The closing of the summit coincides with the opening day of the Rainforest World Music Festival 2026, one of Sarawak’s flagship cultural events. Organisers state that the programme will focus on climate resilience, biodiversity protection and inclusive transformation.
Positioned as a collaborative platform, Rainforest Youth Summit 2026 aims to encourage youth-led dialogue on climate resilience and the development of pragmatic action plans that support responsible and inclusive change. Participants will engage in expert-led sessions, interactive lab workshops grounded in lived experience, and curated off-site excursions centred on Sarawak’s protected rainforest areas.
The theme for this year’s edition, Youth: Many Ways, One Planet, highlights how young people from diverse backgrounds can unite around a shared commitment to create a more sustainable world. Organisers say the programme connects youths with indigenous leaders, scientists and creatives to better understand their role in advancing climate resilience, biodiversity protection and cultural continuity.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid 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 of the event, PATA states it will leverage its global network of student chapters and communication channels to amplify the summit’s outreach and visibility.
STB CEO Dr. Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor 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.”
The summit’s timing alongside the Rainforest World Music Festival 2026 adds cultural visibility to the gathering. The festival ranked among the Top 10 in the Transglobal World Music Chart’s 2025 Festival Awards, reinforcing Sarawak’s profile as a destination that blends environmental stewardship with cultural celebration.
Organisers say Rainforest Youth Summit 2026 continues to build on previous editions by strengthening cross-sector collaboration between youth, industry and community stakeholders. With participation expected from across ASEAN and the wider Asia Pacific, the event underscores Sarawak’s ongoing positioning as a hub for sustainable tourism dialogue and environmental leadership.
