SARAWAK is being positioned at the forefront of global disaster‑preparedness efforts with the Malaysian state on Borneo set to host an international conference aimed at strengthening the nursing profession’s capacity to respond to large‑scale crises, including natural disasters and public health emergencies.
The 9th International Research Conference of the World Society of Disaster Nursing (WSDN 2026) is scheduled to take place at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching September 17-19.
WSDN 2026, which was launched at a press conference in the Sarawak state capital yesterday, is expected to bring more than 500 delegates from around the world and serve as a critical forum for advancing resilient, technologically enabled approaches to emergency preparedness across healthcare systems.
Centred on the theme “Accelerate Networking: A Catalyst to Go Over the Horizon”, the conference will examine emerging technologies, innovative response models, and practical strategies that can be deployed during natural disasters, pandemics, and humanitarian crises. Organisers say these insights are increasingly vital as climate‑related disasters and global health threats grow in frequency and complexity.
Beyond its professional agenda, WSDN 2026 is also projected to generate strong economic benefits for Sarawak. Local officials estimate a contribution of MYR4.1 million (approximately USD1.02 million) to the regional economy, supporting more than 300 jobs across tourism, hospitality, and related service sectors.
“From natural disasters to public health emergencies, Sarawak understands the importance of preparedness and resilience,” said Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Premier of Sarawak and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak.
“WSDN 2026 aligns strongly with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 by strengthening resilient, inclusive, and future-ready systems in the field of public health,” Sim said.
“While disaster response differs across regions, this conference allows us to build a common understanding of more sustainable ways to protect lives and support communities during disasters.”
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Jason Tan Chin Foo, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), emphasised the event’s dual focus on global collaboration and community‑level empowerment.
“Beyond advancing the global medical and disaster nursing agenda, WSDN 2026 provides a platform to examine how local communities can play an active role in disaster preparedness and response.
“This emphasis on shared outcomes, capacity building, and long-term value reflects Sarawak’s commitment to collaborative, impact-focused business events that deliver meaningful benefits for people and communities,” Tan said.
A key feature of this year’s programme is a deeper integration of technology into simulation‑based training. WSDN 2026 Conference Chair, Dr Nurul’Ain Ahayalimudin, said the introduction of Augmented Reality in Tabletop Exercises (AR‑TTX), would offer participants a more immersive and realistic method of testing emergency decision‑making.
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“AR-TTX allows participants to strengthen responses and facilitate better decision-making in real emergencies,” Ahayalimudin said. “We believe technology plays a critical role in strengthening how we prepare for and respond to emergencies, hence innovation and technology in disaster nursing and emergency response are one of the key focus areas of WSDN 2026.”
The conference is organised by the Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, with support from the World Society of Disaster Nursing, Business Events Sarawak, the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, and the Association for Malaysian Emergency Nurses.
Main picture… Sarawak deputy PM and health minister, Sim Kui Hian (centre), flanked by BESarawak acting CEO Jason Tan and Sonoe Mashino, of the University of Hyogo, with WSDN2026 organisers, the Kulliyyah of Nursing at the International Islamic University Malaysia, and the University of Malaysia, Sarawak, one of the conference’s supporting organisations
