Global Skills Forum 2025: Pushing Forward the ASEAN Skills Agenda

Global Skills Forum 2025: A Milestone for Human Capital in ASEAN

On October 22, 2025, Malaysia hosted the Global Skills Forum (GSF) at the Shangri-La in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of global human capital. This notable event coincided with Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship and the ASEAN Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025, bringing together governments, industries, and communities globally to drive skill transformations and emphasize the private sector's role in fostering innovation and impact.

The opening ceremony was officiated by Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Rural and Regional Development, who highlighted the unique potential of the ASEAN region and the importance of skills in shaping its future. “With the right skills, this youth dividend can transform into a source of innovation and prosperity not only for Southeast Asia but for the global economy,” stated Zahid.

Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director-General of the International Organization of Employers (IOE), praised Minister Steven Sim's leadership in promoting AYOS 2025 and recognized him as a key advocate for work and skills in the region. “I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Human Resources under the leadership of Minister Steven Sim, whom I consider one of the most dynamic and visionary labor ministers in the region. His leading role in promoting the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 reflects Malaysia's commitment to equipping the workforce in our region for the future,” Houngbo remarked.

Minister of Human Resources, Steven Sim Chee Keong, reiterated the importance of keeping workers at the center of economic progress. “Workers are the value creators in our economy. The accomplishments that workers have achieved over the last century must not only be preserved but we must continue to advance, especially in light of new dynamics,” he emphasized.

The GSF serves as a vital platform for discussions on the future of skills, not as a standalone event but as an integral part of the broader regional movement encompassed by AYOS 2025. The forum's theme, “The Transformative Role of the Private Sector in Skill Development: Driving Innovation and Impact,” explored crucial challenges in workforce development and shared best practices to address them.

With nearly 600 delegates in attendance, discussions focused on collaboration between governments, employers, and educational institutions to develop flexible, human-centered strategies that respond to rapid technological changes, evolving labor markets, and global upheavals. The forum underscored qualifications as the currency for opportunities, competitiveness, and sustainability for both economies and societies.

A significant moment at the event was Malaysia's commitment to skill development for the future workforce of ASEAN nations and the global community, aiming to enhance collaborations, promote future-ready skills, and empower communities for a resilient, sustainable, and competitive Malaysia within ASEAN.

As the event approached its conclusion with the gala dinner 'Colours of Success: A Celebration of Achievements', the achievements of seven exemplary platforms were celebrated, showcasing the progress made in advancing skills and fostering human capital development across the region.

The GSF 2025 not only symbolizes Malaysia's leadership in implementing policy frameworks aimed at building a skilled workforce but also signifies a united effort to tackle the challenges faced in the rapidly changing global landscape. This milestone event sets the stage for future initiatives aimed at enhancing the capabilities and readiness of the ASEAN workforce to engage effectively in an ever-evolving economy.