The Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS) 2025, held in Kuching, Sarawak from 18-20 June 2025, served as a vibrant platform for youth, indigenous leaders, climate experts, and stakeholders from public and private sectors to come together in pursuit of a more sustainable and equitable future. Among the youth voices represented, Nilo Wijaya, a junior researcher at the Sebijak Institute, represented the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) at the summit.
As part of the IFSA delegation, Nilo was privileged to join the volunteer team called VIPERS (Volunteers Inspiring Participation, Engagement & Responsible Stewardship). This team supports the summit’s technical execution. This role not only enabled her to contribute to the smooth running of the event but also allowed her to engage closely with the organizing committee and fellow environmental advocates.
The summit itself featured an inspiring lineup of speakers including indigenous climate leaders, youth activists, scientists, artists, and sustainability professionals which brought diverse and powerful perspectives on environmental justice, cultural preservation, and community resilience. Besides plenary sessions, RAYS 2025 offered a wide array of engaging activities such as hands-on workshops, thematic roundtable discussions, reflective spaces, and movie screenings. These opportunities enriched participants with both knowledge and practical experience in diverse ways of learning.
Covering key topics including media, biodiversity, policy, indigenous rights, youth action, and related topics, the summit highlights the importance of cross-sectoral and cross-cultural collaboration. It was a powerful reminder that change is most impactful when driven collectively by diverse communities united by shared purpose. It was also a reminder to always include the people’s aspects, especially indigenous community, in every effort towards environmental sustainability.
During her volunteer work and participation as a delegate at the Rainforest Youth Summit 2025, Nilo had the valuable opportunity to engage directly with a diverse group of speakers and experts. As a workshop facilitator, she interacted with several inspiring figures, including Dr. Erika Cuellar Soto, Mark Liao, Bethany Luhong Balan, and Izzy Sasada. Dr. Erika shared insights from her conservation work with indigenous communities in Bolivia, emphasizing that nature-based solutions (NbS) require collaborative efforts between people and nature to support both human wellbeing and biodiversity. Mark Liao led a reflective session on the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), highlighting the importance of strengthening personal values and capacities as a foundation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In an engaging, hands-on session, Bethany Luhong Balan introduced the power of zines as a tool for creative self-expression. Meanwhile, Izzy Sasada offered a practical and strategic guide to producing compelling short-form video content for climate and conservation advocacy.
Beyond the workshop sessions, Nilo also had the privilege of connecting with inspiring youth leaders such as Prachi Shevgaonkar, a climate innovator and founder of Cool The Globe, and Varsha Yajman, an Indian-Australian youth advocate. Her engagement extended to prominent professionals and policymakers, including Dr. Ahmad Zafir and Justine Vaz from WWF Malaysia; Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor, CEO of the Sarawak Tourism Board; and YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who represented the Government of Sarawak at the summit.
The summit concluded with the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), held at the Sarawak Cultural Village. This festival celebrates the collective efforts across the globe through music and arts. The RWMF beautifully showcased the living heritage of Sarawak’s indigenous communities and underscored the harmony between cultural preservation and climate action.
A key takeaway from the summit was the resounding message of solidarity, that in the fight against climate change, no one is alone. The collective spirit of RAYS 2025 continues to inspire young generations like Nilo to pursue meaningful climate efforts rooted in community, culture, and collaboration.