KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is set to host the Global Skills Forum (GSF) in 2025, which will be the first instance of this prestigious international event taking place outside of Geneva. The forum is scheduled for October 22 to 23.
The GSF is anticipated to bring together more than 200 participants from 16 different countries, including government ministers, union representatives, labor experts, industry leaders, and officials from various multilateral organisations.
This forum will serve as a flagship initiative under the ASEAN Year of Skills, which Malaysia is leading as ASEAN Chair in 2025.
Announcing this during a high-level event co-organised with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva yesterday, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said hosting the GSF in conjunction with the ASEAN Year of Skills reinforces Malaysia’s belief that Southeast Asia must lead in building a fair, future-ready workforce.
“It is an honor for Malaysia to host the GSF for the first time outside Geneva. This reflects the international community’s confidence in Malaysia’s leadership in shaping the future of work,” he said in the statement.
The GSF was first hosted in Geneva in 2024 under the ILO’s coordination.
“Malaysia’s hosting of the second edition signifies growing global confidence in the country’s skill-building initiatives and commitment to preparing the region for the future of work,” the statement read.
Key priorities will include strengthening regional cooperation on skills mobility and labor certification, accelerating investment in green and digital skills, and enhancing public-private partnerships through Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs).
In his remarks, Sim said the upcoming forum will not only address future skills but also fairness and inclusivity in workforce development.
“Whether you are a coder in Hanoi, a delivery rider in Jakarta, or a factory worker in Kuala Lumpur, your work deserves respect, your safety deserves protection, and your skills deserve investment,” he said.
To mark the occasion, Sim announced the global expansion of Malaysia’s national online learning platform, e-LATiH, which will now offer free and borderless access to reskilling and upskilling content for learners worldwide.
He also said Malaysia will open its National Training Week (NTW), scheduled for June 14 to 21, to all ASEAN citizens for the first time.
The program will offer more than 65,000 free courses in areas such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation, green technology, and leadership, delivered through online and physical formats.
“This is more than just an event. It is part of a long-term strategy to position Malaysia – and the region – as a hub for skills excellence and inclusive growth. We are grateful to the ILO for the continued partnership and trust.
“Together, we aim to deliver a forum that is practical, ambitious, and regionally grounded. From Kuala Lumpur, we will send a clear message that developing countries, too, can lead global conversations on skills, fairness, and the future of work,” he said.
Meanwhile, Malaysia is also expected to launch its National Human Resources Policy 2024-2030 during the forum as a reference model for ASEAN-wide collaboration. – June 10, 2025