TLDR: Sarawak is set to host the Digital Economy Awards 2025 (DEA2025) in conjunction with the 8th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS), focusing on the theme ‘AI & Green Evolution: Growth, Challenges, and Community Resilience’. The events aim to recognize digital excellence and explore how artificial intelligence can drive sustainable growth and community resilience as part of Sarawak’s broader digital transformation strategy.
KUCHING, Sarawak – The Sarawak Digital Economy Awards 2025 (DEA2025) is now open for submissions, marking a significant step in the state’s ongoing commitment to digital transformation and sustainable development. Organized by the Sarawak State Government through the Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), DEA2025 will culminate in an awards presentation on October 22, 2025, held in conjunction with the 8th International Digital Economy Conference Sarawak (IDECS) 2025. Both events are scheduled to take place at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching from October 22-23, 2025.
The central theme for IDECS 2025 is ‘AI & Green Evolution: Growth, Challenges, and Community Resilience.’ This theme underscores Sarawak’s strategic vision to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and green initiatives to foster a robust and sustainable digital economy. The conference, led by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, is expected to convene global leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to deliberate on the transformative potential of AI in driving sustainable growth and enhancing community resilience.
DEA2025 will honor achievements across seven distinct categories of digital excellence: Digital Technology Transformation, Research & Development and Commercialisation, Entrepreneurship and Start-up, Digital Government, Digital Creative Content, Environmental Sustainability, and Digital Leadership. A special highlight of the awards will be the Premier’s Digital Economy Award, a prestigious recognition bestowed upon the most outstanding deliverable outcomes among the seven category winners.
Submissions for DEA2025 commenced on August 16, 2025, and will close on September 15, 2025. The awards and conference are integral components of the Sarawak Digital Strategy, first introduced in 2018, and align with the state’s broader Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030). This comprehensive blueprint aims to integrate digital technology across all economic sectors, emphasizing digital inclusivity, talent development, and infrastructure enhancement.
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Since its inception, IDECS has evolved into a globally recognized platform, showcasing Sarawak’s dedication to building a resilient digital economy through collaborations with international technology leaders. Notable outcomes of these initiatives include the establishment of key institutions such as the Development Bank Sarawak (DBos), Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA), and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC). Furthermore, projects like the Sarawak Rural Broadband Network (MySRBN) and the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) are actively working towards achieving 99.9% internet penetration by 2030, bridging the urban-rural digital divide and ensuring equitable access to digital opportunities.
