KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is stepping up efforts to translate its climate commitments into green economic growth through the 17th International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM 2026) and Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit (KLSS 2026), held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
IGEM 2026 features more than 450 local and international exhibitors and is targeted to generate RM22.5 billion in potential business, while KLSS 2026 brings together more than 25 leading sustainability practitioners to discuss climate adaptation, sustainable finance and the energy transition.
The two events, held under the theme “Race Towards Net Zero: Action Beyond Boundaries”, were officially opened today by Deputy Prime Minister II and Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.
Fadillah said Malaysia’s net-zero ambition required a whole-of-nation approach, with IGEM and KLSS serving as twin drivers of the country’s green transformation.
“Decarbonisation is not merely an environmental necessity, it is an economic opportunity,” he said.
Through IGEM and KLSS, Malaysia can develop a high-value green economy by connecting local businesses to global green supply chains, attracting strategic investments and creating future employment opportunities, he said.
IGEM directly connects businesses with green technology providers and high-value capital, while KLSS brings together policymakers, industry leaders and regulators to align regional climate strategies.
The combination of the two platforms is aimed at bridging the gap between high-level policies and implementation on the ground.
The organisation of IGEM 2026 and KLSS 2026 also reinforces the Malaysia MADANI agenda by incorporating sustainability, wellbeing, creativity and compassion into the country’s green transition.
Among the key initiatives is Malaysia’s participation in the Global Zero Waste Districts Programme, which targets diverting 70 per cent of waste from landfills by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040, accelerating the country’s transition towards a circular economy.
The green transition also prioritises local talent development through specialised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiatives, including green power and energy modules developed by industry leaders in collaboration with university-industry research programmes.
The approach is further supported by smart technologies such as artificial intelligence-based grid management and forecasting systems to optimise resource use in real time.
IGEM 2026 also introduces the Sustainable Lifestyle Showcase, featuring practical eco-friendly solutions across the healthcare, fashion, food and beauty sectors, while highlighting new career pathways shaping Malaysia’s green economy.
Also present at the opening ceremony were Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup; Deputy Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh; NRES Secretary-General Datuk Wira Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin; NRES Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Nor Yahati Awang; and Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) Group Chief Executive Officer Saiful Adib Abdul Munaff.
