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The 5th ASEZ WAO Chamber Orchestra Environmental Concert
Concerts Held in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and Singapore
ASEZ WAO, the Church of God Young Adult Worker Volunteer Group, held its 5th ASEZ WAO Chamber Orchestra Environmental Concert in Malaysia and Singapore, using music to raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection and encourage public interest and participation. The concerts were held on July 26, July 30, and August 2 at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC), Auditorium at Afiniti Medini in Johor Bahru, and the Gallery Theatre at the National Museum of Singapore, respectively. Approximately 1,200 people attended, including local ASEZ WAO members, members of the public, and representatives from political, government, business, academic, educational, and legal circles.
In his opening remarks, ASEZ WAO Representative Kim Yong-gap emphasized, “Protecting the environment means safeguarding not only nature but also our health, happiness, and possibilities for the future. To achieve this, it is important that we take action together.” He added, “I hope this concert will inspire everyone to recognize the importance of the environment and turn that awareness into action.” Carlos Castillo, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Peru in Malaysia; Yang Berhormat Datuk Haji Pandak bin Ahmad, Member of the Johor State Legislative Assembly for Kota Iskandar; and Dr. Charlene Chen, Member of Parliament of Singapore, also delivered congratulatory remarks, expressing their support for the purpose of the event.
The concerts also provided an opportunity to expand international solidarity for environmental protection. Figures from various sectors were appointed as advisory committee members for ASEZ WAO’s activities, and a signing ceremony was held in support of its environmental initiatives. ASEZ WAO also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Singapore’s Public Hygiene Council (PHC). The programs also included a lecture by environmental expert Dr. MuhColegio de Ingenieros del Perú amad Safwan bin Ishak of Raffles University in Malaysia, adding further significance to the events.
The performances featured a variety of musical selections and presentations carrying messages of hope. ASEZ WAO members performed to the organization’s environmental song “One Step” and presented vocal ensemble performances of “No More GPGP and “Together With ASEZ WAO,” drawing attention to environmental issues. The chamber orchestra, featuring violins, violas, cellos, flutes, oboes, and clarinets, filled the venues with beautiful melodies. Its repertoire included songs from animated films, such as “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Love Is an Open Door,” and “A Whole New World,” as well as “Nella Fantasia” and “Cinema Paradiso.” Audience members turned on their phone flashlights and waved them in time with the music, joining the performers in the experience.
Dr. Charlene Chen, Member of Parliament of Singapore, shared her impressions, saying, “I was deeply moved by how beautifully the music conveyed a genuine love for nature. ASEZ WAO demonstrates its passion for addressing environmental issues not only through words but also through action.” Dr. Gopinath Nagaraj, a Malaysian expert in fisheries and aquatic environments, emphasized the importance of public participation. “To bring about meaningful change, we need a movement involving many people, not just a small number of policymakers,” he said. “I hope young people will continue to take an interest in environmental issues and take consistent action, just as they are doing now.”
ASEZ WAO’s environmental initiatives extended beyond the concert halls. Members met with the Deputy Director General of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia and the Chairman of the Waste Management Association of Malaysia, among others, to discuss ways to cooperate in addressing climate change. ASEZ WAO will continue to build broader support for environmental protection among people from all walks of life and work toward meaningful change.
The 5th ASEZ WAO Global Forum Held in Lima, Peru
On August 5, the 5th ASEZ WAO Global Forum was held in Lima, Peru. The event took place at the auditorium of the Colegio de Ingenieros del Perú and drew approximately 600 participants, including current and former lawmakers, government ministers and vice ministers, figures from diplomatic, industrial, and academic circles, ASEZ WAO members, and local residents.
Speakers at the forum included environmental activist David Landa Tucto, former Vice Minister Edgar Romero La Puente of Peru’s Ministry of the Environment, and Carlos Alberto Zegarra Sánchez, Member of the Chamber of Deputies. They discussed pressing environmental issues, including the destruction of the Amazon caused by indiscriminate logging and illegal mining, and proposed possible solutions. The speakers emphasized that addressing environmental problems requires not only government action but also public awareness and active participation.
Colonel José Luis Lagos García of the Peruvian National Police praised ASEZ WAO’s efforts, saying, “ASEZ WAO’s proactive activities are a great source of motivation for everyone. Seeing young people work together gives us confidence in our future and the strength to keep moving forward.”
The Colegio de Ingenieros del Perú presented ASEZ WAO with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of its various volunteer initiatives, including environmental protection efforts, and its contribution to fostering leadership among young people in Peru. ASEZ WAO members are also working to expand environmental partnerships across a wide range of sectors. The day before the forum, they met with the President of Peru’s Chamber of Deputies and representatives of international organizations to discuss opportunities for further cooperation.
