KUALA LUMPUR, 2 September 2025 — The Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) will host the 22nd Southeast Asia Red Cross Red Crescent (SEA) Leaders Meeting and the 4th SEA Youth Forum from 22 – 24 September 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. The event will gather leaders and youth representatives from 11 National Societies across Southeast Asia including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to foster collaboration, strengthen humanitarian partnerships and champion youth engagement in addressing emerging humanitarian challenges.

Held under the theme ‘Navigating Uncertainty, Strengthening Unity for Humanitarian Action’, the meeting reflects the growing complexities of crises across the region. From climate-driven disasters and health emergencies to migration challenges and humanitarian diplomacy, the theme underscores the urgency of solidarity and innovation in navigating an unpredictable future.

It calls on the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in Southeast Asia to harness collective understanding, leverage diverse strengths and act with unity of purpose to protect the most vulnerable. The high-level Leaders Meeting will convene Presidents, Chairpersons and senior officials from the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society, Cambodia Red Cross Society, Indonesian Red Cross, Lao Red Cross Society, Malaysian Red Crescent, Myanmar Red Cross Society, Philippine Red Cross, Singapore Red Cross, Thai Red Cross Society, Timor-Leste Red Cross and Vietnam Red Cross Society. Running in parallel, the 4th Southeast Asia Youth Forum will provide a platform for youth leaders and volunteers to amplify their voices, reaffirm their commitment to humanitarian values and explore innovative solutions to build resilience in communities across Southeast Asia.

In collaboration with IFRC and ICRC, the MRC will also host a one-day Southeast Asia Humanitarian Forum during the three-day programme. The Forum will focus on enhancing national and regional resilience through multilateral cooperation and disaster law, promoting a universal culture of compliance with International Humanitarian Law in ASEAN and ASEAN Humanitarian Briefing. Participation is expected from SEA Red Cross Red Crescent Leaders, the ASEAN Secretariat, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), government agencies such as National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) as well as NGOs, civil society organisations and other regional actors.

Through these programmes, the MRC reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regional solidarity and collective action. By convening leaders, youth and humanitarian partners, the meetings and forum will inspire stronger cooperation and nurture a more resilient Southeast Asia.

DATO’ DANIAL ISKANDAR BIN ABDUL RAHMAN
Secretary General