KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is set to host the Global Skills Forum (GSF) 2025 from October 22 to 23 at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, bringing together global leaders to shape the future of workforce development and innovation. Organised by the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), the forum underscores the country’s growing leadership in talent transformation initiatives within the ASEAN region.
Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the forum alongside ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong. Under the theme “The Role of the Private Sector in Skills Development: Driving Innovation and Impact,” GSF 2025 will spotlight the central role of employers and industries in designing training systems, scaling innovation, and driving sustainable economic growth.
The two-day event will gather heads of government, ministers, policymakers, employers, manpower agencies, training institutions, and international development partners to discuss forward-looking strategies in digital transformation, the green economy, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging industries shaping the global labour market. Serving as a flagship initiative under the ASEAN Year of Skills (AYOS) 2025, which coincides with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, the forum aims to bridge regional skills gaps, promote labour mobility, and foster stronger public-private collaboration across member states.
By positioning skills development as the core driver of region-wide innovation and competitiveness, Malaysia’s hosting of GSF 2025 is expected to reaffirm its commitment to building a future-ready workforce for a rapidly evolving global economy.