14/05/2026
Press Conference for The Social Impact Assessment Conference and Exhibition 2026 (SIAC2026)
Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Sarawak (MUDeNR) will be organising The Social Impact Assessment Conference and Exhibition 2026 (SIAC2026).
Held in conjunction with LCDA’s 45th Anniversary celebration, SIAC2026 will be held from 23rd to 25th November 2026 at the Pullman Hotel Kuching, Sarawak.
The conference is held in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Social Impact Assessment (MSIA) and the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia), with strong support from Business Events Sarawak.
SIAC2026 is the first major and comprehensive multi-day international conference and exhibition dedicated specifically to Social Impact Assessment held in Malaysia and ASEAN’s region.
The theme of this conference “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Development Through Social Impact Assessment,” will bridge policy dialogue, technical expertise and practical implementation.
As development accelerates through urban transformation, infrastructure expansion and industrial growth, SIAC2026 will emphasise the role of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in strengthening community participation, stakeholder collaboration and social impact management, while enhancing regional collaboration, professional capacity and responsible investment, particularly within emerging economies.
The organisation of SIAC2026 by the LCDA and MUDeNR reflects both agencies’ active roles in promoting sustainable and socially responsible development in Sarawak, particularly through urban renewal, land development and community engagement initiatives.
The conference is organised in line with Sarawak’s Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, particularly its pillars of Economic Prosperity, Social Inclusivity and Environmental Sustainability, while further strengthening Sarawak’s role as a regional hub for ESG and inclusive development practices, as well as the first host of an international SIA conference of this scale in Malaysia and ASEAN.
SIAC2026 will feature distinguished international and regional experts in SIA and sustainable development, including Professor Frank Vanclay from the University of Groningen, Netherlands and Carlos T. Perez-Brito from the World Bank, Singapore.
Experts as well as practitioners from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines will also contribute actively as participants, speakers, moderators and panelists.
The conference programme will feature plenary sessions, keynote addresses, technical presentations, panel discussions, workshops, ESG-focused forums, exhibitions, university student poster competitions, networking sessions and site visits.
One of the highlights of the conference will be the Gala Dinner and SIA Recognition Awards, recognising outstanding contributions in advancing SIA and inclusive development initiatives.
We are honoured that Premier of Sarawak, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg is expected to officiate the conference on 24th November 2026, reflecting the Sarawak Government’s strong commitment towards inclusive and responsible development.
