KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Oct — The International Young Future Leaders Summit (iFUTURE 2025) opened with a resounding call for youth-driven leadership anchored in values, compassion, and digital wisdom. The three-day summit, held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur from 11 to 13 October, gathers more than 800 student leaders from 60 countries under the theme “Empowering Young Leaders for a Digital Future.”
Organised by Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), the event aims to nurture globally minded leaders through intellectual discourse, strategic dialogue, and engagement with national and international policymakers. Five strategic themes shape the summit: AI future jobs and youth readiness, nation-building and future resilience, mental health and digital wellbeing, volunteerism and nation-building, and youth roles in the future world and diplomacy.
In his opening address, Minister of Higher Education YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir emphasised that leadership does not begin with a title, a podium, or a position. It begins the moment one decides to take responsibility for the community, the environment, the nation, and above all, for doing what is right even when it is difficult.
“Our youth are not standing on the sidelines. They are not waiting for permission to lead. They are already part of the present and the future, actively shaping, creating, and driving change,” he said.
Dato’ Seri Zambry urged young participants to cultivate leadership grounded in knowledge, ethics, and resilience, describing Malaysia Madani as a framework that fosters leadership rooted in compassion, respect, trust, sustainability, and shared prosperity.
He added that the summit serves as a platform for breaking barriers, challenging assumptions, and shaping a future where inclusive global leadership becomes not only an aspiration but a living and breathing reality.
Following the minister’s remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who officiated the launch, delivered an impassioned speech urging youth to lead with conscience in a rapidly digitising world.
“The world today is uncertain not because the earth is old, but because humanity is struggling to find its compass of values,” he said, warning that progress without principles could lead to moral decay.
Dato’ Seri Zahid’s address, titled “The Weary World and the Rise of a New Generation,” framed leadership as a sacred trust rooted in humanity and justice. He reminded participants that true leadership is not born out of fear but built upon trust, quoting a prophetic saying to emphasise that leaders must love their people and be loved in return.
He cautioned young people against becoming victims of technology and urged them instead to guide digital tools with values and integrity.
“Use social media not to divide, but to unite. Not to inflame hatred, but to spread hope. Not to mislead, but to tell the truth,” he said.
Dato’ Seri Zahid also called on participants to harness their influence responsibly, reminding them that every post, every click, and every word carries weight.
The launch of iFUTURE 2025 marked a powerful beginning to three days of dialogue, reflection, and inspiration. It set the tone for a new generation of leaders ready to navigate the complexities of the digital era with courage and conscience. As the summit unfolds, its opening spirit—anchored in values, innovation, and global unity, continues to resonate, reminding young participants that leadership in the digital age begins with purpose and integrity.
