ACIYLS 2025: Young Minds Tackle Climate Challenges
Bandar Seri Begawan, 1st September 2025– Innovative climate solutions were highlighted at the Finals Pitch Day and Closing Ceremony of the ‘ASEAN-China-India Youth Leadership Summit (ACIYLS) 2025: Sustainability Startathon Brunei Darussalam Round’ held at Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS) Extension Building, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) on 1st September 2025.
The event was organised by the country partners of ACIYLS 2025—ThinkX Global and Growth Ensemble—along with OSG Youth Alliance and Resolute Communications, in collaboration with UBD, the SDG Secretariat Brunei Darussalam, and the Brunei Climate Change Office. It marked the culmination of weeks of intensive preparation from 7th June to 16th August 2025, where young leaders aged between 18 and 25 from all over Brunei Darussalam came together to develop practical and innovative solutions under the theme ‘Cultivating Climate-Positive Cities’. This initiative directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), reflecting Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to sustainability and Wawasan Brunei 2035.
The Sustainability Startathon is a unique regional programme consisting a series of workshops held for six weeks followed by a two-day semi-final. It is designed to challenge young minds from ASEAN Member States, China, and India to devise climate-positive, youth-led solutions for pressing sustainability issues across Asia. More than a competition, it is a capacity-building platform that empowers youth with entrepreneurial skills, critical thinking, and cross-cultural collaboration. Through the guidance of industry experts, academics, and sustainability leaders, participants are encouraged to turn creative ideas into feasible, scalable, and impactful solutions that address real-world problems.
The guest of honour for the Finals Pitch Day was Haji Zakaria Haji Serudin, Permanent Secretary (Youth), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, whose presence signified the Ministry’s unwavering support for youth empowerment and national progress. The ceremony was also attended by Acting Vice-Chancellor of UBD, Professor Dr Haji Noor Azam Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya (OKMB) Haji Othman together with members of the senior management team. Their attendance reinforced UBD’s role as a regional leader in sustainability and innovation, and demonstrated the University’s strong institutional commitment to empowering youth, fostering entrepreneurship, and advancing Brunei Darussalam’s climate action agenda. The event also witnessed speeches from Gina Pang, Organiser of ACIYLS 2025, the CEO and Founder of Resolute Communications, and Dr Annie Dayani Haji Ahad, Director of the Office of Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Industry Engagement and Enterprise Development), UBD, who highlighted the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth leadership in tackling climate challenges.
The competition engaged esteemed mentors and judges from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, innovative techmakers, key experts from the SDG Secretariat and Brunei Climate Change Office, as well as UBD’s SDG Committee and academic staff. Judges assessed solutions based on criteria such as pain point identification, feasibility, scalability, impact measurement, and originality. Beyond evaluation, judges also provided constructive feedback and encouragement, shaping the entrepreneurial journey of participants and strengthening their commitment to sustainability.
The Finals Pitch Day showcased innovative presentations of five finalist teams out of sixteen teams, comprising students coming from different universities including UBD followed by judges’ deliberation and the awarding of winners. Winning teams demonstrated not only creative solutions but also practical approaches that can be adopted across the region to build sustainable, resilient cities. The top three teams won return tickets to Singapore for the Grand Finals of the ACIYLS 2025 scheduled to take place from 26th to 31st October. The teams representing Brunei Darussalam are: ‘PhytoBrunei’, ‘Botanovi’, and ‘Brewcycle’.
The event closed with a group photo, networking session, and words of encouragement for participants to continue advancing their projects beyond the competition, contributing meaningfully to the global sustainability agenda.
(Source: UBD Official Website)