Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, will host some of South East Asia’s most influential voices in business communication this July, as the inaugural CommsForward25 conference convenes industry leaders, policymakers, and academics to address urgent regional communication challenges shaped by crises, AI disruption, and shifting stakeholder expectations.
Organised by Malaysia-based Citrine One Group, the two-day conference will take place from 2–3 July 2025 at Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral, with more than 250 delegates expected to attend from across the ASEAN region and beyond. News Hub Asia is proud to serve as an official media partner for this pivotal regional event.
Under the theme “Shaping Stories, Inspiring Results”, CommsForward25 aims to redefine how communications professionals operate in an era marked by geopolitical volatility, digital misinformation, and the rise of artificial general intelligence (AGI). With crises such as the Myanmar-Thailand earthquake, market volatility from the US tariff announcement, and escalating cybersecurity threats still fresh in the public mind, the conference provides a timely platform to share strategies for crisis management and digital transformation.
“CommsForward25 is not just about spotlighting best practices, but a space to challenge norms, learn from one another, and redefine how communication influences outcomes at the highest levels of leadership,” said Ivlynn Yap, executive chairman of Citrine One Group.
She also highlighted that today’s communicators are no longer just message crafters, “they are strategic advisors shaping narratives, managing crises, and guiding organisations through a complex reputation landscape.”
A notable highlight will be the keynote address by Datuk P. Kamalanathan, former Deputy Education Minister of Malaysia and current chairman of the PR Practitioners Society of Malaysia. His talk will focus on the skills communicators must develop in an increasingly AI-driven environment.
Also featured in the line-up is Ana Pista, founder and chief executive officer of Ardent Communications (Philippines) and chief executive officer of the AI Centre of Excellence, who will delve into how AI is transforming the PR landscape. From Malaysia’s perspective, Shamsul Izhan Abdul Majid, chief executive officer of the National AI Office, will provide insights into the country’s positioning in the global AI ecosystem.
Sessions will also explore the intersection between journalism and public relations, with award-winning journalist and former press secretary Nurulhuda Abd Aziz sharing her perspective on the interplay between journalism and public relations. Michelle Lau, who led Malaysia’s pavilions at World Expo 2020 Dubai and Expo 2017 Astana, will discuss strategic reputation management on the global stage.
Regional insights will be further deepened through panel discussions featuring Sharon Goh (Syuen Zens Resources), Fiona Liao (POS Malaysia), and Syed Muhammad Idid (West Coast Expressway), examining AI-readiness, stakeholder alignment, and ethical crisis response.
The event will also serve as the stage for STRATSEA25: InterVarsity Crisis Communication Award, a competition aimed at discovering South East Asia’s next generation of communication leaders. Undergraduate teams from the region have been invited to present strategic responses to a simulated cyberattack scenario. The top three finalists will present live on Day 2 of the conference, with the judging panel comprising Shukreen Ma (Malaysia Airports), Ana Pista (Philippines), David Ko (Ruder Finn Interactive Asia, Hong Kong), and Iza Sofia Kasbi (Cyberview Sdn Bhd).
With confirmed participation from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the UAE, CommsForward25 is expected to be a key event on the region’s professional calendar, offering not only networking opportunities but actionable strategies for navigating the communication challenges of the next decade.
For full agenda details and registration information, visit www.citrine.com.my/commsforward25. Entries for STRATSEA25 close on 15 June 2025. 