A Pivotal Step in Empowering ASEAN Youth and Transforming Education

28 November 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Tengku Amir Shah ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj, Crown Prince of Selangor, officiated the historic launch of the UNESCO Entrepreneurship Education Network (EE-Net) Southeast Asia Chapter at a high-level gala dinner held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The event, jointly hosted by UNESCO, the Asia Institute of Sustainability, Entrepreneurship & Diplomacy (AiSED), Intrinsic SEA, and the Selangor Youth Community (SAY), marked a significant milestone in ASEAN’s commitment to cultivating a future-ready generation equipped for an era of rapid technological advancement, innovation, and increasing global interdependence.

In his keynote address, he described the launch as “a defining milestone for Southeast Asia at the intersection of technological acceleration, demographic change, and global volatility.” He emphasised that entrepreneurship education must evolve beyond traditional business training, becoming a vital force in shaping the region’s future leaders. “Entrepreneurship education prepares our youth not only to participate in tomorrow’s economy but to shape it with vision, responsibility, and integrity,” he said. He reaffirmed that ASEAN’s young population must be empowered to become innovative creators and ethical leaders amid the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, climate change, and shifting global dynamics.

He also underscored the alignment of this regional initiative with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, highlighting that Selangor and Malaysia are uniquely positioned to foster multi-stakeholder partnerships that connect education, technology, innovation, and sustainable development across Southeast Asia.

Maki Katsuno-Hayashikawa, Director and Representative of UNESCO’s Regional Office in Jakarta, provided a regional perspective, emphasising the urgent need for education systems to accelerate their transformation. She pointed out that 127 million young people across Asia-Pacific remain out of school, with digital inequalities widening the gap. With artificial intelligence reshaping economies and climate challenges threatening livelihoods, she stressed that entrepreneurship education is central to UNESCO’s SDG4 strategy for promoting equitable, quality learning and lifelong adaptability. Maki affirmed that the Southeast Asia Chapter will serve as a platform for coordinated policy dialogue, capacity building, and collaborative efforts to reshape education systems for the future.

Opening the evening, Dato’ Steve Cheah, Chairman of AiSED, welcomed delegates and expressed pride in Malaysia hosting UNESCO’s first EE-Net Chapter for Southeast Asia. He emphasised that the initiative aligns with ASEAN’s ongoing transformation, where demographic energy, technological change, and the pursuit of inclusive, high-value growth require a new educational paradigm, one focused on ethics, creativity, resilience, and innovation. Dato’ Steve highlighted the Chapter’s role as a regional mechanism to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, strengthen human capital, and harmonise entrepreneurship education across the diverse economies of ASEAN.

The gala dinner also served as a platform for regional dialogue, bringing together ambassadors, government leaders, university representatives, industry innovators, youth organisations, and international agencies. A performance by the Xiamen University Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra added cultural depth, symbolising Southeast Asia’s dedication to empowering young talent and promoting creativity, leadership, and cross-cultural understanding.

The evening recognised outstanding individuals whose contributions exemplify leadership, innovation, and sustainable development. Awards included the Happiness Security Visionary Award to Dr Liu Chun Lin, the Excellence in Global Thought Leadership Award to Irene Qian HouLin, the Excellence in Public Service & Sustainable Development Award to Dato’ Dr Tan Yew Chong, and the Creation Intelligence Award to Alec Wang Yuheng. A token of appreciation was presented to Tengku Amir Shah by Ravenna Chen Yaohui, Organising Committee Chair, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to youth empowerment and regional cooperation.

Across the delegations, there was a shared understanding that the establishment of the UNESCO EE-Net Southeast Asia Chapter signifies more than the launch of a programme, it heralds a regional movement to reinvent education for the future. As artificial intelligence, climate pressures, and demographic shifts reshape ASEAN’s economic and social landscape, this new chapter is poised to catalyse cross-border collaboration, strengthen entrepreneurship frameworks, accelerate digital and AI readiness, and promote models of green, ethical innovation. By aligning UNESCO’s global mandate with regional leadership from AiSED, Intrinsic SEA’s innovation ecosystem, SAY’s youth networks, and contributions from academic institutions like Xiamen University Malaysia, Malaysia, Selangor, is positioning itself at the forefront of a new era in human capital development across Southeast Asia.