KUCHING, SARAWAK — 15 July 2026 — Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is bringing the globally recognised Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) programme to East Malaysia for the first time, marking a significant step in strengthening Sarawak’s commitment to building a more sustainable, responsible and future-ready business events industry.
The collaboration with the Events Industry Council (EIC) represents a strategic investment in Sarawak’s business events ecosystem by enhancing professional capabilities, developing industry talent and strengthening the destination’s long-term competitiveness. As sustainability continues to become a key priority shaping the global business events sector, the initiative aims to equip local industry professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to deliver events that create lasting environmental, social and economic impact.
Datu Hii Chang Kee, Deputy State Secretary (Operation) and Chairman of BESarawak, said investing in talent is an investment in the future of the industry. Through SEPC, the initiative seeks to establish a common understanding of sustainability across Sarawak’s business events ecosystem while providing industry players with the tools to create meaningful long-term impact that extends beyond individual events, in line with Sarawak’s legacy-driven direction.
The agreement between BESarawak and EIC, signed during IMEX Frankfurt 2026, marks another milestone in Sarawak’s efforts to advance sustainable business events. The partnership also reflects the destination’s broader commitment to strengthening professional development and ensuring that its business events industry remains aligned with evolving international standards and expectations.
According to Jason Tan Chin Foo, Chief Executive Officer of BESarawak, SEPC goes beyond simply making events more environmentally friendly. Sustainability can be incorporated into decision-making, operational processes, partnerships, measurement, reporting and long-term impact creation across the entire business events ecosystem. Through the collaboration with EIC, BESarawak aims to make the capacity-building programme accessible to its industry partners across Sarawak while supporting the broader aspirations of the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
As international organisations, associations and event owners increasingly prioritise sustainability standards and responsible event delivery, the demand for professionals with recognised expertise in sustainable practices continues to grow. Through SEPC, business events professionals in Sarawak will gain access to internationally recognised training and practical knowledge covering areas such as sustainable event planning, social impact, supply chain management, accessibility, measurement, reporting and responsible business practices.
Amy Calvert, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Events Industry Council, said Sarawak’s decision to invest in professional education through SEPC demonstrates forward-thinking leadership and a genuine commitment to raising industry standards. The programme is also expected to empower the local business events ecosystem by providing access to internationally recognised sustainability practices and strengthening the capabilities of professionals in the region.
The SEPC programme is scheduled to take place on 20 and 21 August 2026 in Kuching. The programme is open to registered Business Events Sarawak Professional Partners (BESPartners), with interested participants encouraged to check their eligibility and obtain further information from BESarawak.
The introduction of SEPC to East Malaysia marks an important development in Sarawak’s journey towards establishing a more resilient and sustainable business events sector. By combining professional development, international collaboration and responsible industry practices, the initiative is expected to contribute towards sustainable economic growth, environmental responsibility and meaningful community impact while positioning Sarawak as a future-ready destination for business events.
