Fijian PM participating in sustainable urban future forum in Malaysia

GEORGE TOWN, Oct 11 -- Fijian Prime Minister, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, will be among the dignitaries taking part in the 7th Asia-Pacific Urban Forum (APUF7) at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre (SSCC) in Bayan Lepas from Oct 14 - 18. 

Penang Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman, Jagdeep Singh Deo, said it will be the first time a head of government and wife will be participating in the forum.

“We will also be welcoming more than 10 ministers and deputies from countries like India, Bangladesh, Russia, Afghanistan, Korea, Indonesia, Kiribati and Laos," he said, while adding that more than 6,000 participants – and counting -- from 60 countries have confirmed their attendance.

Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has been invited to officiate the forum themed ‘Future of Asia and Pacific Cities: Transformative Pathways to Achieve 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. 

Jagdeep told a press conference that urban territorial planning, urban resilience, data and technology for smart cities, and urban finance will be among the topics discussed.

He highlighted that dialogue on innovative policy and technical solutions for a sustainable urban future will take place, with Housing and Local Government Minister, Zuraida Kamaruddin, attending a high-level session on Oct 15.

The forum’s curtain-raiser will be the Cycling Mayor event on Oct 14 where mayors from several cities will ride their bicycle 14.7km from the Batu Maung Waste Transfer Station to SSCC.

The forum will wrap-up with participants going on a tour of the Penang capital and then to Padang Kota Lama for a closing ceremony that will include a cultural performance and food festival on Oct 17.

-- BERNAMA