Kota Kinabalu: The Borneo pygmy elephant and orangutan symbolise Sabah’s spirit of collaboration and adaptability in positioning itself on the global Business Events (BE) map, said International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Chief Executive OfficerHe said the two iconic species reflect how Sabah lives and leads as a destination.
“People around the world often picture two images when they think of Sabah – the Borneo pygmy elephant and the orangutan,” he said, adding that the pygmy elephant represents collective progress, while the orangutan symbolises intelligence, adaptability and a deep connection to its environment.
He said the pygmy elephant reminds destinations that progress happens together, not in isolation, stressing that governments, industry, academia and communities must work collectively to move forward.
Meanwhile, he said the orangutan reflects the need for destinations to continuously learn, innovate and adapt in a rapidly changing global economy.
“These two ideas – collaboration and adaptation – define the future of Business Events,” he said when delivering his keynote at the official opening of the Third International Business Events Forum (BE in Sabah 2026) at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
Dr Senthil congratulated the Sabah Government, Sabah Convention Bureau and all stakeholders involved for successfully bringing together the local and global Business Events community, describing the initiative as a strong example of destination-wide collaboration.
He said Business Events are not about longevity but about showcasing a destination’s identity, adding that once a destination is confident in telling its story, global clients begin to take notice.
He noted that Sabah’s consistent hosting of BE in Sabah reflects the commitment of the Sabah Government and industry players in positioning the state internationally.
Dr Senthil said Business Events today are no longer limited to organising meetings, but serve as platforms for knowledge exchange, innovation, policy dialogue and long-term value creation.
“Destinations are no longer judged only by what they sell, but by the ideas they host, the partnerships they create and the future they help shape,” he said.
He added that international association conferences play a vital role in connecting policy, research, industry and global opportunity, noting that Sabah already serves as a bridge between Asia and the world, and between nature and innovation.
Citing ICCA’s intelligence system, Dr Senthil said the association tracks more than 240,000 international association meeting series annually, generating over US$30 billion and supporting about 275,000 jobs worldwide.
However, he said the true value of Business Events lies not only in economic spending, but in the flow of ideas, innovation, research, policy and talent across borders.
Dr Senthil said Sabah has strong potential to anchor global leadership in areas such as sustainability, biodiversity, marine and environmental sciences, medical and life sciences, indigenous knowledge and climate resilience.
“When global associations meet in Sabah, they engage with its living laboratory, universities, industries and communities. This is how destinations build relevance, reputation and long-term legacy,” he said.
He said destinations that succeed are not those with the biggest infrastructure, but those with the strongest alignment among stakeholders.
He added that ICCA works alongside destinations by connecting ministries, bureaus, venues, professional conference organisers, universities and associations into a single global conversation.
“When a destination community moves together like a pygmy elephant herd and adapts intelligently like the orangutan, Sabah does not just participate in the global economy – it helps shape it,” he said.