KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - As Southeast Asian cities navigate environmental, technological and social change, stakeholders from across the region will gather in Kuala Lumpur from 26 to 28 October for the third Southeast Asia Dialogue Cities Conference
Under the theme "Shared Futures: Dialogue for Resilient and Inclusive Cities," the conference will bring together city representatives, religious and faith leaders, youth and women leaders and civil society actors to explore how interreligious and intercultural dialogue can create shared understanding amongst religiously and culturally diverse communities in order respond collectively to shared urban challenges.
Organised by the International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID in partnership with the Allied Coordinating Council of Islamic NGOs (ACCIN) in Malaysia, the three-day conference will take place at the Sheraton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur City.
The conference comes at a time when, across Southeast Asia, uncertainties around the future of our planet, and the impact of globalization are changing the way people live with and perceive others.
“The challenges facing Southeast Asian cities do not discriminate based on one's religious, cultural or institutional backgrounds. However, the demographic, cultural and religious diversity of people make the challenges felt different across the borders. Dialogue across demographics can help people develop empathy and understanding in the way in which different people experience realities. This is what we believe at KAICIID. The real measure of this conference will be the cooperation and practical action taken across cultures, religions and sectors towards their shared futures” Said Ambassodor António de Almeida Ribeiro, Acting Secretary General of the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID.
Over the three days, participants will engage through keynote talks, city showcases, World Cafe discussions, storytelling workshop and solution-building sessions. Discussions will include the implications of climate and environmental pressures as well as technology, the rising presence of artificial intelligence in daily life, as well as digital transformation for increasingly diverse urban communities.
“Cities are more than buildings, infrastructure and technology. Their true strength lies in the people who live in them and in their ability to build trust, embrace diversity and work together. Kuala Lumpur demonstrates how dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation can turn diversity into a strength in building a more inclusive and resilient city. At ACCIN, we believe interfaith and intercultural dialogue is essential to addressing the challenges facing our cities, from climate change and environmental pressures to artificial intelligence and digital transformation. These challenges affect communities differently, making inclusion and empathy more important than ever. Through the conference, we hope to turn meaningful dialogue into practical cooperation, stronger partnerships and solutions that can contribute to more inclusive, harmonious and resilient cities across Southeast Asia,” said Ir Mohd Jamaludin Shamsudin, Chief Executive Officer of the Allied Coordinating Council of Islamic NGOs (ACCIN).
The conference builds on two previous editions held in Bangkok, (Thailand) 2023 and Davao (Philipines) 2024, and forms part of KAICIID’s Dialogue Cities work, which supports municipal authorities and faith communities to cooperate on local challenges. A central focus of the conference will be moving from conversation to collective action. Participants will be encouraged to identify common concerns, exchange practical experiences from their cities and develop proposals that can strengthen community resilience.
The conference closes on 28 October with a set of joint proposals for action developed by participants, intended to be carried back into their own cities and networks.
Notes to editors
Media accreditation: [Deadline: 20/10/2026. Accredited journalists will have access to [sessions, interview room, and daily photography.
Interview requests with KAICIID and ACCIN representatives and with participating city representatives can be made to the contacts below. Interviews are available in English and Bahasa Malaysia.
The International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID is an intergovernmental organisation that promotes dialogue between people of different religions and cultures to advance social cohesion, mutual understanding and peace. KAICIID works with religious leaders, policymakers and civil society across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Arab region. It is headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Allied Coordinating Council of Islamic NGOs Malaysia (ACCIN) is a coalition of 18 of Malaysia's largest Islamic NGOs, primarily focused on promoting interfaith understanding and harmony. Since 2010, ACCIN has officially represented the Muslim community in the national Harmony Committee (JK Harmoni), working actively to safeguard unity and mutual respect across the nation's diverse communities.
Media contacts
KAICIID: [Yvonne Baraza, Media Relations Officer, email press@kaiciid.org]
ACCIN: [Hafzan Jaafar, Media & Communications Coordinator, hafzanj2020@gmail.com]