Malaysia proposes to organize Asean Year of Skills 2025

PETALING JAYA: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong emphasized Malaysia’s aspiration to organize the ASEAN Skills Year 2025 in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO) in a discussion session with nine ASEAN leaders in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday.

According to Kosmo Online, this will pave the way for the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), as well as its departments and agencies such as the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) to implement various initiatives to improve the skills and knowledge of the ASEAN workforce.

The ASEAN Skills Year will be a timely endeavor given Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair next year which will focus on enhancing regional integration by fostering smooth trade, deeper economic cooperation, and a more interconnected region.

It will also encourage investment in the ASEAN workforce by leveraging workforce development, education, and development for future-ready job skills, with a particular focus on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor technologies.

Steven Sim said, as the party responsible for the development and management of human resources in Malaysia, KESUMA is committed to developing a competent, productive, responsive, and resilient Malaysian workforce and able to compete effectively in the global market.

“We are pleased to work with the ILO and all ASEAN leaders in achieving this aspiration through the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025.

“I am confident that, through the programs that have been identified, we can facilitate the exchange of knowledge and the sharing of best practices to improve the skills and productivity of our workforce.

“In addition, we can also foster stronger cooperation and partnership between member countries in implementing long-term strategies towards human capital development,” he said in a statement.

The ASEAN Leaders’ Discussion Session was also attended by Brunei’s Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Awang Haji Ahmaddin Haji Abd Rahman; Singapore’s Minister of Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng; Indonesian Deputy Minister of Manpower, Afriansyah Noor; Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Welfare of Laos, Inthalath Phongsaysack; Deputy Minister for the Philippines, Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr; and Thailand’s Deputy Minister of Manpower, Siraphop Duangsodsri.

Present with the Ambassador and Head of Delegation for Myanmar, Ei Ei Tin; Permanent Representative to the Office of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization for Vietnam, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung; Secretary of State, Ministry of Labor & Vocational Training (MLVT) for Cambodia, Som Chamnan; and the Director General for Employment and Training for Timor-Leste, Carlito Cabral.

The meeting was part of the Minister’s four-day visit to Geneva which included Malaysia’s ratification of the ILO’s Occupational Safety and Health Convention 1981 (Convention 155), the Minister’s speech at the 112th International Labor Conference, as well as a visit with partners and the international public.