Malaysia’s inaugural women-focused leadership and economic empowerment summit, WE2025: Future in Motion, ended on a high note today with organisers announcing an estimated RM109 million in potential trade and investment leads, surpassing its original RM100 million target.
Held from 25–27 November at MITEC Kuala Lumpur, the three-day event drew more than 200 business engagements across sectors such as digital ICT, green technology, renewable energy, food and beverage, health and wellness, and professional services. The WE in Exchange business-matching session, organised with MATRADE’s International Sourcing Programme (INSP), saw participation from companies representing Malaysia, Comoros, Senegal, China, Singapore, the Philippines, UAE, Indonesia and Canada.
The figure does not include additional potential sales from the WE2025 Trade Expo and various satellite events, which also saw strong turnout.
Qube Integrated Malaysia Executive Chairman and Co-Organising Chair Richard Teo described the summit’s success as a milestone in advancing women’s roles in trade and innovation.
“The announcements and business opportunities forged have laid an important foundation for the continued prominence of women in trade, innovation and leadership,” he said.
Day Three of the summit featured a wide range of satellite events showcasing expertise in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, regional market expansion and inclusive community-building. The AI MasterClass by NCWO explored how women leaders can integrate artificial intelligence with emotional intelligence to drive organisational and business growth.
Meanwhile, the “Women Leading Platforms of Change” session, organised by SEACare and the International Wellness Expo, offered participants an early look at innovations that will be showcased during the upcoming May 2026 exhibition and conference.
Complementing these discussions, the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (Women Entrepreneurs Committee) hosted a session on Belt and Road Initiative opportunities for Malaysian SMEs, outlining avenues for international partnerships and market expansion.
Adding a unique experiential element to the day, Starbucks’ Deaf Coffee Master conducted a “Sign of Flavour” workshop that blended coffee appreciation with basic sign-language learning, creating an inclusive and interactive learning experience for attendees.
The 1st ACWO Board Meeting for 2025 also convened on the final day, gathering 23 delegates from eight ASEAN nations in person, with additional participation online due to adverse weather conditions. Initially chaired remotely by ACWO Vice President Ibu Nanny Hadi Tjahjanto of KOWANI Indonesia, the meeting was supported on-site by Prof. Ibu Popy Rufaidah, who provided interpretation.
Proceedings were later handed over to ACWO Secretary-General Prof. Emerita Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. Sharifah Hapsah Shahabudin, who also serves as NCWO Malaysia President. The meeting saw the handover of the ACWO Treasurer role from NCWO Malaysia to the National Council of Women Thailand for the 2025–2026 term, alongside the formal acceptance of Timor-Leste as ACWO’s newest member. A video presentation by the Timor-Leste delegation offered a compelling reflection on the country’s path toward independence and its current socio-economic efforts. The session reaffirmed the spirit of unity and regional collaboration that underpins ACWO’s mission.
During the summit’s official launch ceremony, graced by Tengku Permaisuri Hajah Norashikin, Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM) formalised a new collaboration with the BRICS Women Business Alliance through an MoU exchange. The agreement paves the way for the establishment of the Alliance’s Regional Office in Malaysia, signalling the country’s rising prominence as a strategic hub for women-led economic empowerment initiatives across BRICS member nations.