The integration of the Asean Real Estate Conference (AREC) and the Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition (ARCHIDEX) 2025 positions Malaysia as a key player in real estate and urban development in the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, in his opening speech on Wednesday (July 23), said the events—held simultaneously at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC)—highlight Malaysia’s central role in regional cooperation and spotlight Asean’s urban development goals on the global stage.
Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, urged stakeholders to leverage the four-day event to showcase cutting-edge innovations and foster stronger collaboration across the industry.
00:03This dual event is more than just a showcase of innovation.
00:15It is a bold platform for advancing regional cooperation in the built environment.
00:21So, ladies and gentlemen, it is a profound honour for Malaysia to address the first ASEAN Real Estate Conference
00:29ARAC 2025 under the inspiring theme, the real estate renaissance, innovate, integrate, impact.
00:39I was meant to understand that ARAC and AQDAX are being held simultaneously across two venues,
00:45which is in Mitek and also KLCC.
00:49The collaboration between these prestigious events stand as a true testament to Malaysia's leadership
00:57in advancing sustainable urbanisation.
01:03ASEAN is home to some of the world's fastest growing cities,
01:07with over 70 million people expected to be added to our urban population by 2030.
01:13The total is projected to reach 373 million.
01:21This rapid growth places immense pressure on housing, infrastructure and sustainability.
01:29Yet within this challenge lies a remarkable opportunity to lead the world in developing real estate models
01:36that are smart, inclusive and climate conscious.
01:41We believe in innovation, not as a luxury but as a necessity for resilience and progress.
01:49From advancing green buildings and climate adaptive design to deploying digital land systems and prop tech solutions,
01:59innovation must be the engine that powers our housing policies and urban strategies.
02:06It is how we make our cities smarter, our developments more efficient and our communities more liveable.
02:16We advocate for integration, not merely of markets but of mines and missions across borders.
02:24We think that the future of ASEAN's strengths lies in our shared history and our shared future.
02:31By fostering cross-border investments, enhancing regional knowledge exchange and working toward regulatory harmonisation,
02:40we can unlock the full potential of a unified ASEAN real estate ecosystem,
02:46one that encourages sustainable growth, attracts quality investment and raises standards across the board.
02:57Above all, we believe in delivering impact that is targeted toward the diverse segments of the ASEAN population
03:05because our progress means little if it does not reach those who need it most.
03:12We must ensure that the benefits of development are equitably shared so that the urban poor, the young, the elderly and the marginalised are not left behind.
03:26This conference encourages robust knowledge sharing and interactive dialogue, drawing on the insights of both policymakers and industry practitioners.
03:38By fostering a strong and dynamic network between the public and private sectors at the regional level, we aim to bridge theory and practice.
03:51At the heart of ARAC 2035, which will convene participants from across Southeast Asia, China and Timor-Leste is a high-level dialogue featuring housing ministers, city mayors,
04:06leading developers and sustainability experts.
04:09These discussions will explore best practices and bold ideas to shape a more inclusive, interconnected and future-ready ASEAN through innovative approaches to urban living.
04:24The integration of ARAC within Archidex is both timely and strategic.
04:29As Asia's leading architecture and built environment exhibition, Archidex attracts over 56,000 visitors from more than 110 countries, providing ARAC with an influential international platform
04:45to elevate ASEAN's real estate and housing agenda to a global audience.
04:52This powerful convergence position Malaysia at the forefront of regional cooperation while showcasing ASEAN's urban development priorities to the world.
05:06Ultimately, our goal is to support the development and publication of practical, actionable and impactful strategies that reflect the unique social, economic and environmental context of ASEAN's housing landscape.
05:22Ladies and gentlemen, the industry players and stakeholders should cease this opportunity in this four-day event to showcase new and emerging real estate innovations and foster collaboration amongst the industry players.
05:40This unparalleled connectivity should bring in tremendous benefits, which include increased people-to-people connectivity,
05:51repeat information sharing, and the growth of new business opportunities and business expansions at both regional and international level.
06:01This conference is a beginning, a launchpad for stronger regional cooperation, for data-driven action, and for people-first urban strategies.
06:15So, I therefore, call upon all ASEAN member states, our industry partners, and international organizations to keep this momentum alive through working groups,
06:28joint research, investment facilitation, and annual progress reviews.
06:34The synergy between ASEAN and ASEAN and ASEAN present a powerful platform that positions Malaysia at the forefront of ASEAN's real estate and urban development landscape.
06:47While ASEAN drives high-level policy dialogue and strategic insights from housing ministers, city leaders, and developers,
06:54architects, architects complement it as ASEAN's leading exhibition that showcases cutting-edge products, materials, and solutions for architecture and the built environment.
