Selangor Poised To Strengthen ASEAN Collaboration In Building Inclusive, Sustainable Cities

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- Selangor is prepared to strengthen collaboration with ASEAN member states in promoting inclusive, sustainable and connected urban development, as the state rolls out transformative economic and social initiatives under its long-term planning framework.

Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) deputy director of the Local Authority Section Norazlina Yusof said the state was committed to sharing best practices and learning from its regional counterparts, in line with ASEAN’s vision of creating resilient, people-centred cities.

Speaking during the special session titled ‘Thriving Together: Cities Leading the Way in Inclusion and Sustainability’ held in conjunction with the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF), Norazlina said Selangor’s policies were guided by the principle that “no one should be left behind” while balancing economic growth with environmental preservation.

“Selangor contributes more than 26 per cent to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) and has positioned itself as a smart, global and low-carbon state. Our mission aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ASEAN’s inclusive growth agenda,” she said.

Among the state’s flagship projects, she said, are the Selangor Greater Klang Valley (SGKV) metropolitan initiative, the Integrated Development Region in South Selangor (IDRISS) focusing on aerospace and industrial growth, and the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) to revitalise river ecosystems.

Norazlina also highlighted the recently launched Selangor Climate Adaptation Centre (SCAC), the first state-level climate governance hub in Malaysia that will drive low-carbon strategies and waste-to-energy technologies, creating green jobs and reducing burdens on low-income communities.

“Selangor stands ready to collaborate with our ASEAN neighbours. We are already sharing experiences, and while it may not be perfect, our progress is adaptable.

“We look forward to further engagement to work hand-in-hand for a sustainable regional future,” she said.

In addition to sustainable and connected urban development, she also highlighted social programmes such as the Intizam Selangor Penyayang, consolidating 46 welfare initiatives for targeted groups, the Rumah Selangor affordable housing scheme, and the free SMART Selangor bus service now transitioning to electric vehicles.

The special session, moderated by the URBANICE Malaysia chief executive officer Norliza Hashim, also featured Fatma Sahin, the Mayor of Gaziantep, Turkiye; Megumi Fujita, the Planning and Coordination director from the Office of the Governor for Policy Planning, Tokyo Metropolitan Government; and Dyan Currie, co-chair of the UN-Habitat Advisory Group.

Fatma also shared her city’s experience in responding to and recovering from the devastating Turkiye earthquake, highlighting the importance of resilient infrastructure, community preparedness, and strong urban governance in crises.

Fujita, on the other hand, outlined Japan’s approach to seismic resilience, noting that strict building regulations and continuous urban planning have significantly reduced risks in disaster-prone areas.

-- BERNAMA