Malaysia to host first Global Skills Forum outside Geneva, under ASEAN Year of Skills

GENEVA,June 10, 2025/PRNewswire/ --Malaysiahas been honoured with the international recognition of hosting the Global Skills Forum (GSF) 2025, marking the first time the prestigious event will be held outside ofGeneva.

Geneva Marks Malaysia’s Appointment as Host of Global Skills Forum 2025 in the Presence of International Labour Sector Leaders

The official announcement was made onJune 9byMalaysia'sMinister of Human Resources, The HonourableSteven Sim Chee Keong, during a high-level event co-organised with the International Labour Organization (ILO) inGeneva. The GSF main event will take place inKuala Lumpuron 22–23 October 2025.

Malaysia'sselection as host reflects not only its role as Chair of ASEAN 2025, but also the country's growing leadership in workforce transformation, labour market reform and human capital development. The GSF 2025 will also serve as a flagship initiative under the ASEAN Year of Skills (AYOS), led by Human Resource Development Corporation, an agency under the Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia.

First hosted by the ILO inGenevain 2024, GSF's second edition inMalaysiasignals global confidence in the country's skills leadership and future-of-work readiness.

Malaysia'sGlobal Commitment: Skills Access Without Borders

"GSF 2025 is not just about future skills – it is about fairness,"said MinisterSteven Sim."Whether you are a coder inHanoi, a delivery rider inJakarta, or a factory worker inKuala Lumpur, your work deserves respect, your safety deserves protection, and your skills deserve investment."

He continued,"To commemorate this important milestone, I am pleased to announce the global expansion of e-LATiH,Malaysia'snational online learning platform. e-LATiH now offers free and borderless access to reskilling and upskilling content for any learner, anywhere in the world."

"Additionally, as announced during the ASEAN Human Capital Development Investment Symposium on 27 May,Malaysiais opening our National Training Week (NTW), taking place from 14 to21 June 2025, to all ASEAN citizens for the first time. The programme will offer over 65,000 free skills development courses, delivered through both online and physical formats, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation, green technology, and leadership. We welcome ASEAN citizens to join us in this regional initiative,"concluded MinisterSteven Sim.

GSF 2025 will convene 200+ delegates from 16 countries, including ministers, experts, industry and union leaders, and global bodies.

Strategic objectives include:

  • Strengthening regional cooperation on skills mobility and labour certification.
  • Accelerating investment in green and digital skills.
  • Strengthening public-private partnerships in workforce development through Sector Skills Bodies (SSBs) and innovation-driven ecosystems.
  • LaunchingMalaysia'sNational Human Resources Policy 2024–2030 as a model for ASEAN-wide collaboration.

Against this backdrop, GSF 2025 will serve as a platform to address key workforce challenges, including:

  1. Gig economy integration and protections

    GSF 2025 will tackle gig work formalisation and protections, withMalaysialeading via its upcoming Gig Workers Bill, scheduled for tabling in Parliament in the second half of 2025.



  2. Expanding social protection for all workers

    GSF 2025 will explore inclusive models for income security and universal protection, addressing gaps faced by informal, migrant, and self-employed workers in ASEAN.



  3. Rethinking occupational safety

    FollowingMalaysia'sratification of ILO Convention C155, GSF 2025 will examine how digitalisation, remote work, and labour fragmentation are reshaping workplace safety and regulations.



  4. Private sector at the centre of skills innovation

    For the first time, GSF 2025 will spotlight private sector leadership, with industry, employers, and training providers driving agile, future-ready skills systems.

For information,www.aseanyearofskills.org. For media and partnership,CommsPR@hrdcorp.gov.my.

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SOURCE Human Resource Development Corporation