Sabah AIMS 2026 Sabah Set to Host Landmark Asia-Pacific Impact Investing Summit in Kota Kinabalu

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Among the speakers for the Conference
Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, Datuk Josie Lai, Dato' Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Dato' Seri Harry Cockrell, Dr. R. Balasubramaniam,


KOTA KINABALU, SABAH — Sabah is preparing to welcome regional and international leaders for the inaugural Sabah Asia-Pacific Impact Investing for Sustainable Development Summit 2026 (Sabah AIMS 2026), taking place on 13–14 July 2026 in Kota Kinabalu.

Jointly organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah (KePKAS) and the George Town Institute of Open and Advanced Studies (GIOAS) at Wawasan Open University, the summit aims to position Sabah as a dynamic regional hub for sustainable development, innovation, and impact investing across the Asia-Pacific region.




Held under the inspiring theme “Turn, Learn, Earn”, the summit draws symbolic inspiration from Sabah’s ancient fern ecosystems, representing resilience, regeneration, adaptability, and sustainable transformation through collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Sabah AIMS 2026 will gather leaders from investment, philanthropy, academia, policymaking, conservation, civil society, and industry sectors to explore innovative pathways for mobilising capital into impactful environmental and social initiatives. Discussions are expected to focus on:

  • Sustainable bonds and sukuk
  • Venture equity
  • Blended finance structures
  • Government-supported risk-sharing models
  • Conservation-driven sustainable tourism
  • Community empowerment initiatives

The summit highlights Sabah’s unique role as a “living laboratory” for sustainable development, recognized globally for its biodiversity, marine ecosystems, rainforests, and the iconic Mount Kinabalu, while also addressing socio-economic opportunities within underserved rural communities.

According to Datuk Josie Lai, Permanent Secretary of KePKAS, Sabah AIMS 2026 reflects Sabah’s aspiration to become not only a tourism and biodiversity destination, but also a regional platform for innovative partnerships and sustainable investments that benefit both communities and the environment.




Meanwhile, Tan Sri Andrew Sheng, Chairman of GIOAS, emphasized the urgency of rethinking traditional development and investment models in response to climate change, geopolitical uncertainty, and environmental challenges. He noted that Sabah’s strategic location within East and Southeast Asia makes it an ideal gateway for sustainable finance and impact-driven development.

The summit will officially be opened by Chief Minister of Sabah Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, with keynote addresses by:

  • Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Executive Chairman of Securities Commission Malaysia
  • Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, social reformer and member of India’s NITI Aayog transformation commission

Other distinguished speakers include:

  • Tan Sri Andrew Sheng
  • Professor John W. Crawford
  • Ma Jun
  • Dato’ Seri Harry Cockrell
  • Dr. Henry Chan
  • Azalina Adham

The event is expected to attract delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region, including investors, development agencies, policymakers, entrepreneurs, NGOs, researchers, and sustainability practitioners. Conference participation is sponsored for invited delegates, while attendees are responsible only for their travel and accommodation arrangements.

Interested participants may register through the official summit website:
Sabah AIMS 2026 Official Website

For media enquiries and partnership opportunities:
hello@sabahimpactsummit.com

Sabah AIMS 2026 promises to become a powerful new platform where sustainability, innovation, investment, and regional collaboration converge against the breathtaking natural backdrop of Sabah.

Location: Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

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