KUCHING, 30 June 2025 – The 28th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) concluded last night with a spectacular closing performance by Sarawak’s own At Adau — marking not just the end of a festival, but the celebration of a global community brought together by rhythm, resilience, and shared purpose.

Held from 20–22 June 2025 at the iconic Sarawak Cultural Village, RWMF 2025 brought together music lovers and cultural practitioners, alongside eco-conscious travelers and first-time visitors. Themed “Connections: One Earth, One Love”, this year’s edition underscored the power of music as a force for environmental stewardship, cultural diplomacy, and meaningful tourism.  The second day of the festival was especially significant with the ceremonial launch by YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts. The Minister conducted a walkabout on-site, engaging with festival partners,visiting the Green Ruai, and officially launching the Alunan Tukang Artisan Zone. His placement of the final eco-brick into the sculpture stood as a symbolic gesture — a seal of Sarawak’s commitment to circular sustainability and local empowerment.

“The Rainforest World Music Festival is more than a celebration of sound, it is a movement of purpose. Through world music, we are fostering a deeper conversation on conservation, culture, and connection,” said YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim. “RWMF 2025 showed that Sarawak is not just a destination; we are a thought leader in responsible, inclusive, and regenerative tourism.”

Sustainability was embedded in every aspect of the festival experience. From structured waste segregation systems and BYOB water refill stations to solar-powered lighting and composting technology developed by STB’s Innovative Creative Circle, RWMF demonstrated what a climate-smart festival can look like. The Green Ruai was once again the environmental heart of the grounds — featuring WWF’s wildlife conservation hub, PATA’s carbon tracker booth, and hands-on recycling education with Miri Secondhand Dealers and Recyclers Association.

“This year’s theme, ‘Connections: One Earth, One Love’ was lived in every corner of this festival,” said Puan Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Tourism Board.  “We brought together generations, cultures, communities, and values. We made space not just for performance, but for purpose. RWMF 2025 reaffirmed that meaningful tourism is not about transactions — it’s about transformation.”

Day 2 also featured the iconic Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay, bringing infectious energy to a sea of dancing fans beneath the rainforest canopy. Day 1 saw Siberian Indigenous powerhouse Otyken open the festival with an unforgettable debut in Malaysia, while Day 3 belonged to At Adau, Sarawak’s musical torchbearers, whose emotionally charged closing act stirred pride and unity, bringing the festival’s journey full circle.

RWMF 2025 also welcomed participants of the just-concluded Rainforest Youth Summit (RAYS), a three-day gathering that brought together young climate leaders from across ASEAN to explore sustainability, Indigenous knowledge, and environmental action. Their continued presence at RWMF reflected a shared commitment to culture, conservation, and connection — bridging ideas with experience in a meaningful way.

This year’s edition recorded a total of over 22,000 festival-goers. More notably, the festival saw a meaningful rise in family attendance — with parents, children, and even grandparents sharing in the RWMF experience. From cultural workshops to eco-educational spaces, the festival’  multigenerational appeal reflected its evolution into a family-friendly celebration rooted in music, learning, and connection.

Through dynamic programming, expanded sustainability efforts, and meaningful cross-cultural exchanges, RWMF 2025 reaffirmed its standing as one of the world’s most unique music festivals — a living showcase of what tourism, when done right, can truly achieve.

The Rainforest World Music Festival returns from 26–28 June 2026.

One Earth. One Love. One unforgettable legacy.