Malaysia Global Business Forum launches Sports Diplomacy Series with Malaysia–Türkiye Round
Against this backdrop, organisers believe that stronger business relationships, people to people engagement and sports diplomacy can play an increasingly important role in building trust, resilience and long term cooperation.
KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF) will launch its new Sports Diplomacy Series on 9 September 2026 with the inaugural Malaysia–Türkiye Round, bringing together business leaders, diplomats, policymakers and the sporting community to examine how corporate soft power can strengthen international partnerships in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Held under the theme "Corporate Soft Power in the Age of Crisis", the executive networking lunch at the VIP Room, Istanbul Café, reflects the growing recognition that business, media and sport have become important instruments of diplomacy alongside traditional government to government engagement.
The event comes at a time when geopolitical tensions, shifting supply chains and growing economic competition are reshaping international commerce. Against this backdrop, organisers believe that stronger business relationships, people to people engagement and sports diplomacy can play an increasingly important role in building trust, resilience and long term cooperation.
The Malaysia–Türkiye Round also celebrates more than a decade of the Malaysia–Türkiye Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2015 and has helped bilateral trade grow to approximately USD5.66 billion in 2025. Malaysia and Türkiye continue to expand cooperation across manufacturing, food, tourism, defence, technology, services and investment, while palm oil remains one of Malaysia's leading exports to Türkiye.
Founding Chairman of the Malaysia Global Business Forum, Nordin Abdullah, said the initiative recognises the convergence of interests between governments, businesses and athletes.
"Governments cannot build international relationships alone. Companies are looking for meaningful platforms to enhance their visibility and develop new business opportunities, while countries are seeking innovative ways to strengthen strategic partnerships. At the same time, our athletes need greater support to compete internationally. The Sports Diplomacy Series brings these objectives together in a practical and impactful way."
The programme will begin with registration and networking at 11.00am, followed by welcome remarks from Nordin Abdullah and a special address is expected by an invited representative of the Embassy of Türkiye.
A panel discussion titled "Celebrating a Decade of the Malaysia–Türkiye Free Trade Agreement (2015–2025): Building the Next Chapter through Business, Diplomacy and Sport" will examine how economic cooperation can be complemented by sports diplomacy and corporate engagement.
The event will also see the launch of the digital publication, The Bilateral Review – Malaysia–Türkiye, before sponsors and supporters are recognised during a photo opportunity with athletes representing the SportExcel Foundation Fencing Programme. An executive networking lunch will conclude the programme.
Registration is open to individual delegates at RM500 per person, which includes the executive networking lunch and a tax deductible contribution to the SportExcel Foundation Fencing Programme.
A Corporate Delegate with Publicity package is available at RM1,500 and includes event participation, acknowledgement during the programme, one article of media coverage across News Desk Asia and APHD media platforms, together with a tax deductible contribution to the SportExcel Foundation.
The Malaysia Global Business Forum said the Sports Diplomacy Series has been created as a recurring platform connecting ambassadors, diplomats, corporate leaders, government agencies, sporting organisations, academics and the media to explore how sport can contribute to economic engagement and international cooperation.
Each edition will focus on a different bilateral or regional relationship while creating business networking opportunities and raising funds to support Malaysian athletes in the SportExcel Foundation fencing programme.
The initiative is supported by a dedicated media ecosystem comprising News Desk Asia, APHD, The Bilateral Review digital publication and The Bilateral Review Podcast, providing participating organisations with sustained visibility before, during and after each event.
Following the Malaysia–Türkiye Round, future editions of the Sports Diplomacy Series will focus on Malaysia–Africa Business & Sports Diplomacy, Malaysia–South America Business & Sports Diplomacy and Selangor to the World, reinforcing Malaysia's role in connecting business, diplomacy and sport through soft power and international engagement.
