30/09/2025

TUESDAY | SEPT 30, 2025

12

EDUCATION NEWS

Langkawi climate declaration I N a landmark moment for youth climate leadership, children and youths from all 10 ASEAN Member States formally pre o Children and youths lead the way for climate awareness

Banking & Finance Chairman of the Board of Governors, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy as well as TAR UMT Alumni Council, Tan Sri Datuk Seri Lim Keng Cheng, Board of Governors Chairman of SMJK Chong Hwa KL and Chong Hwa Independent High School, Datuk Seri Yew Teong Look, Member of the Board of Trustees of TARC Education Foundation, Prof Dato’ Indera Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UMT, and Datuk Ahmad Faisal Abdul Karim, General Manager – Business The run began with the flag-off for participants from both schools, followed by the flag-off for TARCian Run 2025 participants. Runners began at the start line located at the refurbished main entrance of TAR UMT and ran along the Setiawangsa Pantai Expressway (SPE) during the seven-kilometre fun run. At the end of the route, runners sprinted up the six floors of TAR UMT Arena to claim their reward - a well deserved finisher’s medal and a breathtaking view of the University’s campus grounds and the surrounding area from Skyfield, the rooftop running track and field on Arena. accountability,” she said. The Declaration calls for urgent action in seven key areas, including meaningful youth participation in policymaking, climate justice, integrated climate education, accelerated just energy transition, climate-resilient social services, sustainable agriculture rooted in indigenous knowledge and strengthened climate financing. Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Chair of the 18th AMME as well as acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, accepted the Langkawi Declaration during the ministerial session. He acknowledged the clarity, urgency and commitment shown by ASEAN’s youth and thanked them for their leadership, and reaffirmed the region’s dedication to integrating youth perspectives into ASEAN’s ongoing environmental strategies and actions. He also recognised the role of partners such as UNICEF and youth led organisations in ensuring that youth perspectives continue to shape the region’s path toward a climate resilient future. “The Langkawi Declaration at AMME is a moment of optimism and we thank the government of Malaysia

sented the ASEAN Children & Youth Climate Declaration, known as the Langkawi Declaration to environ ment ministers during the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME). This marks a historic shift from youth participation to youth influence in climate awareness. “Standing in the AMME hall, I felt our voices and our generation’s hopes and fears were heard. The Langkawi Declaration is more than words; it’s a call to action. We are ready to work alongside our leaders to turn promises into action for every child, today and for the future,” said Celeste Chung, a youth delegate from Sabah, Malaysia. “Each word in this Declaration carries the voices of vulnerable communities living at the frontlines of the climate crisis, from coastal villages to urban neighbourhoods,” said Alexandra Nicole Eclarinal from Bicol, Philippines. “It reflects not only what we ask of our leaders, but what we, the young are prepared to contribute through action, collaboration, and THE ninth edition of the TARCian Run ended when 7,000 runners crossed the finish line on the rooftop of Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology’s (TAR UMT) Arena, a brand-new facility, set to be the centre of a vibrant new student activity hub. The TARCian Run has been a TAR UMT tradition since its first edition held in 2015. Today, it is a celebratory occasion that unites TAR UMT students, staff and family members, alumni and the public in the spirit of unity, friendship and togetherness. This year’s TARCian Run also saw the active participation of TAR UMT students as part of the organising committee, ensuring the TARCian Run 2025 was more than just a race but also a reflection of TAR UMT’s ‘Beyond Education philosophy’. Joining the TARCian Run for the second time were students, teachers and students’ parents of Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) Chong Hwa KL, while participants from Chong Hwa Independent High School joined the fun run for the first time.

ASEAN youth delegates hand over Langkawi declaration to COP30 President Andre Correa do Lago during AMME 2025.

and ASEAN ministers for recognising climate action is, at its core, about children’s rights. “With the support of Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), the declaration will shape how youth priorities are reflected in ASEAN’s climate agenda, demonstrating that youth are not just participants, they are influencing policy,” said Robert Gass, UNICEF Representative to Malaysia and Special Representative to Brunei Darussalam . Over three days in Langkawi, youth delegates worked together through dialogues, skills labs and strategy sessions to craft a shared vision for the region’s climate future. The result is the Langkawi Declaration, a historic, youth-led blueprint that puts children’s rights at the heart of ASEAN’s climate agenda. This milestone is part of the ASEAN Children & Youth Climate

Children and youth from ASEAN countries bring about awareness on climate change at ministerial meeting.

led leadership programme. The Langkawi Declaration aims to inform on the on-going national youth efforts in ASEAN countries ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). The upcoming 30th conference will be held in Belem, Brazil.

Summit (ACYCS) 2025, co-organised by UNICEF and Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS). The summit brought together 100 youth delegates aged 15 to 25 for a three-day youth

Tarcian run reaches new heights

TARCian community of alumni, staff, and students on TAR UMT Arena’s rooftop track and field after completing TARCian Run 2025.

“All my peers who are in the committee enjoyed the process of planning and executing such a huge project. “The team gained tremendous experience on the amount of effort required, especially behind the scenes to ensure the TARCian Run was a successful event. This experience will definitely be valuable in our future career paths,” he said.

“It is inspiring to see the great enthusiasm towards the TARCian Run and this is thanks to the constant support of the whole TARCian community, friends, sponsors and fellow Malaysians,” said Tan Sri Chan during the closing ceremony. Bachelor of Finance and Investment (Hons) student Eyu Xin Ying, part of the TARCian Run 2025 Organising Committee member said:

Development, Lebuhraya DUKE Fasa 3 Sdn Bhd were all present to flag the runners off. “This year marks the ninth TARCian Run, which has now grown to become an iconic event for TAR UMT. “With more than 7,000 runners for the 2025 edition, this is an incredible accomplishment that proves how the TARCian Run has grown over the past 10 years.

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