Kuala lumpur: Malaysia remains at the forefront of the ASEAN green jobs agenda for the 2026-2030 period, having been entrusted to lead regional projects related to this field under the new work programme of the ASEAN Labour Ministers. Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan highlighted Malaysia's continued leadership role, which was established through the ASEAN Labour Ministers' Work Programme 2026-2030, following its mandate since chairing the ASEAN Labour Ministers' Meeting (ALMM) and the Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) in 2018.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ramanan emphasized the importance of transitioning to a green economy by ensuring the ASEAN workforce is equipped with the necessary skills for new job opportunities. He stressed that this transition must be fair and inclusive, ensuring that no workers or groups are left behind amidst economic changes. These remarks were made during Malaysia's intervention at the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers' Meeting (ALMM) held at Dusit Thani Bangkok, Thailand.
Ramanan announced the successful achievement of two significant documents during Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship 2025: the ASEAN Framework and Action Plan for a Just and Inclusive Transition to Green Jobs 2025-2030 and the Joint Statement on Actionable Plan for Green Jobs Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive ASEAN Workforce. These documents provide strategic directions for ASEAN to manage workforce changes due to the green economic transition and strengthen joint actions among member states.
Malaysia also successfully organised the ASEAN Green Jobs Forum (AGJF) 2025 in Putrajaya, attracting over 450 delegates and focusing on the theme "AI, Digitalisation and Green Jobs." Ramanan noted that the forum effectively transitioned regional discussions from policy to concrete implementation planning. Key priorities included developing an ASEAN green jobs and skills taxonomy aligned with the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework and leveraging artificial intelligence for training and skills development.
The forum also emphasized modernising the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem through industry cooperation, providing targeted ESG support for MSMEs, and ensuring job opportunities for women, youth, and informal sector workers. Ramanan underscored the importance of integrating the green jobs agenda into ASEAN workforce development to address technological changes, digitalisation, and industrial transformation.
In support of regional collaboration, Malaysia backed the Philippines, which will host the ASEAN Green Jobs Forum 2026 in Manila. Ramanan highlighted the positive impact of rotational hosting of the AGJF, making the green jobs agenda a shared responsibility among member states. Malaysia, having hosted the AGJF in 2024 and 2025, expressed readiness to collaborate closely with the Philippines to ensure meaningful actions in implementing the ASEAN Framework and Action Plan 2025-2030.