IGBC 2025: Malaysia to Host ASEAN’s Premier Green Building Conference Amid UN-Habitat Leadership Role
Malaysia is set to host the International Green Build Conference (IGBC) 2025—its largest platform for green building and sustainable urban development—on 19 August 2025 at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya. Organised by GreenRE and REHDA Institute, this year’s event comes at a pivotal time as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship and Presidency of the UN-Habitat Assembly (2025–2029).
With the theme “Adaptation Through Sustainable Innovation”, the conference underscores Malaysia’s growing influence in shaping climate-resilient urban ecosystems and low-carbon futures across Southeast Asia.
🌏 Strategic Platform for Climate and ESG Dialogue
IGBC 2025 will convene over 800 delegates from government bodies, local authorities, academia, and the private sector. It aims to accelerate ESG-aligned development by fostering actionable dialogue around:
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Climate adaptation
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Low-carbon cities
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Green technology integration
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Urban resilience
Among the keynote speakers invited are:
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YB Tuan Nga Kor Ming, Minister of Housing and Local Government
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YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA)
Their ministerial presence reinforces IGBC’s national importance within Malaysia’s climate, housing, and energy transition agendas.
🏗️ Key Additions to IGBC 2025
Two major enhancements unveiled during the preview reflect IGBC’s evolution as a future-facing platform:
1. Interactive Green Innovation Exhibition
An on-site showcase featuring:
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Carbon-reduction technologies
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Smart mobility and urban planning tools
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ESG-compliant construction materials
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Net-zero development strategies
This segment will enable real-world demonstrations, product testing, and B2B collaboration on next-gen sustainability solutions.
2. RM100,000 University Sponsorship Programme
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, over 10 Malaysian universities will sponsor top-performing students and academics to attend the conference. This initiative aims to:
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Bridge academia and industry
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Cultivate future sustainability leaders
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Advance research-to-application opportunities
“This is a bold step toward preparing the next generation of green builders,” said Datuk Seri FD Iskandar, Chairman of GreenRE.
🌐 A Regional Platform with Global Voices
IGBC 2025’s speaker lineup reflects its global relevance, featuring thought leaders from international architecture, logistics, and sustainability circles:
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Shao-wei Huang, Associate Director, Zaha Hadid Architects
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Catharine Arul Dass, Architect, UK Parliament
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Keren Liu, Managing Director, Ally Logistics
They will share case studies and frameworks relevant to ASEAN cities facing rapid urbanisation, climate stress, and infrastructure bottlenecks.
🚌 Sustainability Site Tours to Malaysia’s Green Flagships
Post-conference, delegates can join sustainability field tours to view best practices in green urbanism:
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PNB 118 Tower – Energy-efficient supertall skyscraper
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Sunway International School – Green-certified education facility
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Gamuda Cove Arboretum – Eco-park integration in township planning
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Sime Darby Elmina – Model of sustainable residential masterplanning
These tours provide real-world evidence of Malaysia’s transition from planning to implementation.
⚙️ Policy Alignment and Regional Cooperation
IGBC 2025 aligns directly with key national and regional policy frameworks:
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National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR)
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Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF)
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UN-Habitat Sustainable Urbanisation Goals
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ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN)
By fostering cross-sector collaboration, the conference serves as a critical venue for knowledge exchange, especially as cities across ASEAN face shared challenges in:
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Climate adaptation
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Urban migration
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Infrastructure and affordable housing gaps
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Energy security
💬 Why IGBC 2025 Matters
“This year’s IGBC is not just a conference—it is a manifestation of Malaysia’s leadership role in ASEAN and beyond. We are proud to provide a platform that drives innovation, connects ideas, and supports meaningful action in the sustainability space,” said Datuk Seri FD Iskandar.
As sustainability becomes a non-negotiable in real estate, urban policy, and infrastructure development, IGBC 2025 offers unmatched access to insight, influence, and inspiration.
✅ Key Takeaways
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IGBC 2025 will be held on 19 August at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya
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Themed “Adaptation Through Sustainable Innovation”, it will gather 800+ delegates
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Keynotes by senior ministers and global experts from architecture and ESG fields
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Features new green innovation exhibition and RM100,000 university sponsorship
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Aligns with NETR, LCCF, UN-Habitat, and ASEAN Smart City goals
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Positions Malaysia as a regional and global leader in sustainable development
