ILO, ASEAN Sec-Gen recognise Steven Sim’s role in advancing regional human capital development

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s commitment to advancing regional human capital development has garnered international recognition, as Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong was commended by both the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the ASEAN Secretary-General for his impactful leadership.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn described the ASEAN Human Capital Development Investment Symposium (AHCDIS) as a timely and meaningful platform to reinforce the region’s collective commitment to investing in people.

“I extend my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Human Resources and HRD Corp for their outstanding leadership in launching the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 as a flagship initiative under Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship.

“This symposium provides an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to invest in our people the true architects of ASEAN’s growth and resilience,” he said.

Held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), AHCDIS 2025 brought together over 300 stakeholders from across ASEAN, including government representatives, industry leaders and training institutions. Discussions focused on sustainable financing strategies, public-private partnerships, and expanding access to quality skills training.

In his address, Steven reaffirmed Malaysia’s pledge to lead the regional human capital agenda through a more inclusive, open, and impactful approach.

As a key initiative, he announced that Malaysia’s National Training Week (NTW) taking place from June 14 to 21 will for the first time be open to all ASEAN citizens.

A total of 65,000 free skill development courses will be made available both physically and online, covering high-growth areas such as leadership, green technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and soft skills.



“This is Malaysia’s investment in ASEAN. It is an investment in human capital development.

“Our ambition is to make ASEAN the most skilled region in the world through deeper and more meaningful partnerships with our fellow member states,” said Sim.

The initiative will be supported by major industry partners including Microsoft, Udemy, Awantec and Alibaba Cloud, with the total estimated training value exceeding RM2.5 billion. It aims to reach five million participants across the region.

Meanwhile, the ILO also emphasised the importance of aligning skills development with regional economic strategies.

Director of the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Xiaoyan Qian noted that workforce training cannot take place in isolation.

“To truly empower workers and support inclusive economic growth, investments in workforce skills must be integrated within broader employment and economic development frameworks.

“Policy coherence is essential to prepare ASEAN’s workforce for a rapidly evolving labour market,” she said.

Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 places inclusivity, sustainability and regional cooperation at the forefront. The ASEAN Year of Skills 2025, led by the Human Resources Ministry, is one of the key flagship initiatives aimed at positioning ASEAN as a global hub for skilled talent and sustainable growth.