Over 800 delegates attended the International Green Build Conference (IGBC) 2025.

PETALING JAYA: The fifth edition of the International Green Build Conference (IGBC) 2025, organised by Rehda Institute and GreenRE, took place at One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya and drew more than 800 delegates. This year’s conference emphasised youth involvement through the Academia Participation Sponsorship Programme (APSP), which engaged over 100 students and lecturers from 12 Malaysian universities.

Themed Adaptation Through Sustainable Innovation, IGBC 2025 aimed to exchange strategies for decarbonising the built environment and driving ESG transformation in Malaysia and the ASEAN region.

The conference showcased keynote addresses from the Housing and Local Government Minister and UN-Habitat 2025-2027 president Nga Kor Ming, together with deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who also serves as the Minister of Energy, Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA).

“For decades, the building and construction sector has been a major part of the problem. But that can, and must, change. We must stop being part of the climate problem and start becoming the structural backbone of the solution. That is why IGBC matters. Because this is where knowledge becomes action,” said GreenRE chairman Datuk Seri FD Iskandar.

The conference also featured industry leaders discussing vital topics related to sustainable development and urban strategies. Key insights included discussions on waste-to-energy and carbon capture, exploration of biophilic design in residential projects and presentations on scalable green design for dense cities.

Additionally, the role of BIM in heritage conservation was highlighted, along with an emphasis on predictive facilities management for energy efficiency. There was also a focus on green smart warehousing opportunities and positioning centralised labour quarters as a sustainable asset class.

Two more panel discussions addressed key topics regarding adaptation and resilience in a changing climate and financing the green transition. These sessions focused on green financing, enhancing ESG disclosures and preparing for climate and market risks.

The Academia Participation Sponsorship Programme (APSP) aimed to connect students with the industry, offering them access to conference sessions, exhibitions and a networking event. This initiative provided students with insights into the latest trends in Malaysia's built environment and helped them build connections with professionals in the field, preparing them for careers in the green economy.

“IGBC 2025 marked many firsts, including our inaugural collaboration with 12 Malaysian universities through the APSP, benefiting nearly 100 students and academics. This initiative, made possible by the generous support of our corporate sponsors, provided a meaningful platform for the next generation,” said Rehda Institute chairman Datuk Jeffrey Ng Tiong Lip.

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