Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Launches "KLCC Connects" To Drive Sustainability and Community Impact 20th Anniversary Year

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 April 2025 – Malaysia’s premier purpose-built business events destination, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre), is marking its 20th anniversary with the launch of KLCC Connects – a new, long-term campaign that unites its sustainability actions and community partnerships under one forward-looking platform, designed to grow with the Centre into the future.

Since opening its doors in 2005, the Centre has hosted over 22,000 events and welcomed more than 29 million visitors, generating RM12.6 in economic benefits for Malaysia. Now, KLCC Connects embodies Centre’s mission and evolving role as a globally recognised venue that connects people, businesses and ideas—while purposefully fostering collaboration across the business events industry, hospitality sector, tertiary institutions, NGOs, and UNSDG stakeholders such as Urbanice Malaysia. Through close partnerships with KLCC precinct players and beyond, the Centre advocates collective action on environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities, working together to shape a more sustainable, inclusive and forward-thinking future.

The campaign is designed to deepen impact, encourage collaboration, and advance sustainable development in line with the Centre’s corporate sustainability priorities. These include reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25%, setting clear targets and implementing Scope 3 emission reductions across the supply chain, promoting sustainable operations and responsible food sourcing, enhancing community wellbeing, and driving waste reduction.

These efforts align with both Malaysia’s national sustainability commitments and the Centre’s broader mission to foster long-term societal impact through community and educational initiatives. Building on its achievement of reducing food waste by 15% between 2020-2024, the Centre aims to further minimise its environmental footprint while maximising positive social outcomes.

John Burke, General Manager of the Centre, said, “As a forward-thinking, purpose-driven organisation, the Centre is constantly striving to create meaningful impact in our community and to align with global sustainability goals.

“We believe that sustainability in business is more than just a buzzword – it represents a shift towards responsible, ethical practices that consider long-term value for people, the planet and performance. That’s why we launched KLCC Connects – to bring our partners together on this journey.”

The Centre is rolling out several key initiatives under the KLCC Connects banner throughout 2025:

• The Centre will host a symposium on managing exhibition waste. With the aim of establishing a long-term platform for open dialogue and shared action, the symposium will bring together voices from across the business events ecosystem. By addressing common challenges and encouraging collaboration between organisers, supply chains and venues, the initiative supports the industry’s collective journey towards achieving ESG goals through purposeful and symbiotic partnerships.

• Support for the inaugural MyFood Conference in April, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. This platform will spotlight sustainable agriculture and local sourcing, bringing together stakeholders from across Malaysia’s food ecosystem to strengthen national food security. 

● Working alongside Urbanice Malaysia, our long-term collaborator, to support the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF) 2025. This strategic partnership is aimed at amplifying the forum’s outcomes and contributing to the sustainable growth and resilience of Kuala Lumpur, aligning with shared goals for urban transformation and ESG impact.

● The third edition of the Centre’s annual Sustainable September campaign returns this year under the theme “One Community, One Future.” This month-long activation will focus on recycling, food sustainability, health, and local empowerment through educational and community-driven initiatives, delivered in collaboration with our KLCC precinct partners. Together, we aim to create a meaningful impact through shared action and neighbourhood-wide engagement.

Further cementing its commitment to sustainability, the Centre has partnered with Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Impiana Hotel KLCC and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia to develop a Best Practices Guidebook titled “Waste Management and Sustainable Local Sourcing”. This guidebook will be introduced as supplementary curriculum material in hospitality and culinary institutions, contributing to industry upskilling and sustainable education.

“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’re looking ahead to the next two decades with a renewed commitment to leading by example within Malaysia’s business events landscape,” added Burke.

“KLCC Connects embodies our vision of a venue that not only facilitates world-class events but actively contributes to building a more sustainable and inclusive future.”