As global energy markets face continued volatility amid geopolitical uncertainty, cities and the built environment must respond to shifting supply dynamics. Increasingly, buildings are no longer passive assets but are pivotal active infrastructure that can reduce energy demand, enhance resilience and accelerate the transition to low-carbon development. This evolving role highlights the urgency for more integrated and performance-driven approaches to sustainability across urban environments.
Against this backdrop, the soft launch of International Sustainability Week 2026, officiated by Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Dato’ Sri Arthur Joseph Kurup, signals a growing transition in how sustainability is being approached from broad ambition to the practical delivery of sustainable buildings and future-ready cities. The event underscores a shift towards implementation and measurable impact within the built environment sector.
ISW 2026 is co-organised by GreenRE Sdn Bhd, the green rating and certification organisation established by REHDA, together with main organiser Qube Integrated Malaysia. The regional platform is designed as a standards-led ecosystem connecting policy, certification and industry solutions within a single coordinated framework. This reflects a stronger focus on implementation, measurable performance and real-world outcomes across the built environment.
Dato’ Sri Arthur Joseph Kurup emphasised that the role of buildings must evolve in response to emerging challenges. He noted that sustainable practices and integrated urban development will form the bedrock of resilience and economic growth moving forward. ISW 2026 provides a structured platform to move stakeholders from discussion to delivery, ensuring real-world impact at scale.
A key highlight of the launch was the announcement of a major industry milestone, as GreenRE surpassed 500 million square feet of certified gross floor area. This achievement underscores the rapid scaling of verified green building standards across Malaysia’s property sector. It also reflects increasing industry adoption of sustainability benchmarks that deliver measurable outcomes.
Datuk Seri FD Iskandar, Chairman of GreenRE, said the milestone reflects the industry’s growing readiness to deliver sustainability at scale. He highlighted that certification serves as the bridge between a green claim and a green reality, meeting the expectations of investors, tenants and regulators in a performance-driven market. The achievement signals a shift in the industry from commitment to execution, where sustainability is embedded in design, construction and operations.
As energy and climate pressures intensify, credible and measurable frameworks such as GreenRE are becoming increasingly critical. These frameworks ensure that sustainability delivers tangible value rather than remaining an abstract goal. The focus is now on outcomes that contribute to long-term resilience and economic sustainability.
Held in conjunction with World Green Building Week, ISW 2026 positions Malaysia within the broader global momentum to accelerate sustainable buildings and future-ready cities. The event will take place from 10 to 11 September 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur. It is expected to attract strong participation from regional and international stakeholders.
ISW 2026 represents the strategic evolution of the International Green Build Conference, now in its sixth edition. Building on its role as a leading platform for policy dialogue and industry leadership, the event expands through the integration of GreenScape: International Green Innovation Exhibition. This creates a unified platform that brings together policy, standards and implementation.
Under the theme “From Certification to Transformation: Building a Net Zero Future Together,” the conference will drive policy and thought leadership discussions while showcasing implementation-ready technologies and green financing models. These solutions aim to make sustainability more accessible, scalable and commercially viable.
ISW 2026 is expected to feature over 20 regional and international speakers, 100 innovation exhibitors and 1,000 conference delegates, drawing an estimated 5,000 visitors from Malaysia and across the region. Confirmed speakers include Nadia Verjee, Larry Ng and Joan Ko, who will address key topics such as net-zero cities, climate-responsive urban development, governance frameworks and the role of data in sustainability.
The soft launch also featured a Memorandum of Collaboration exchange with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation as a supporting partner. This collaboration aims to align ISW 2026 with the International Greentech and Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia, strengthening linkages across the sustainability ecosystem. The partnership is expected to enhance engagement between policymakers, industry players and solution providers.
Further reinforcing industry-wide support, REHDA Federal Territory joins as a strategic partner, alongside the Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia as a supporting partner. Additional partners include official hotel partners Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown, Imperial Lexis Kuala Lumpur and Dorsett Hartamas Kuala Lumpur, as well as Curio Pack as the official freight forwarder and EdgeProp as the official media partner.
Richard Teo, Executive Chairman of Qube Integrated Malaysia, concluded that the challenge is no longer awareness but execution. As cities like Kuala Lumpur continue to grow towards megacity scale, the built environment will play a defining role in long-term resilience and sustainability. ISW 2026 aims to bring together policy, standards and industry capabilities to accelerate real-world delivery across the region.
For more information, visit www.isw.com.my or contact the organisers via conference@isw.com.my and exhibition@isw.com.my.
