ASEAN Urban Growth Must Balance Prosperity With Equity — Fadillah

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- ASEAN must ensure that the prosperity generated by rapid urbanisation is shared equitably among all communities and not achieved at the expense of the vulnerable, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He said urban areas in ASEAN are already home to over 370 million people, contributing 70 per cent of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) and powering a US$3.8 trillion economy in 2024 and by 2050, seven in 10 ASEAN citizens are projected to live in cities, making urban centres critical drivers of regional growth.

“However, prosperity is not evenly shared. We still see gleaming skyscrapers casting shadows over informal settlements, and infrastructure stretched beyond capacity.

“As ASEAN moves towards becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030, we must ensure urbanisation delivers not only growth, but fairness and opportunity for all,” he said.

He said in his keynote address at the opening of the 2025 ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF), ASEAN Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF) and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC) here today.

Also present were Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif and ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General for Community and Corporate Affairs Nararya Sanggramawijaya Soeprapto.

Fadillah who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said as ASEAN Chair, Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to deepening regional cooperation, advancing economic integration, and safeguarding peace and stability in Southeast Asia for the region’s communities.

He stressed that urbanisation must serve as a unifying force, urging urgent solutions to challenges such as housing shortages, mobility bottlenecks and climate risks, including recurring floods, choking smog and sinking streets.

“Inclusivity means no one is left behind. Women, youth, the elderly and persons with disabilities must all have a voice in shaping our future cities,” he said adding that accessible transport, affordable housing and digital connectivity for rural migrants are essential.

On sustainability, Fadillah said it was “not optional” but essential for survival, noting threats such as rising sea levels in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta and intensifying heatwaves across the region.

Praising proven ASEAN innovations in finding climate crisis solutions, Fadillah said Singapore’s green building standards and Indonesia’s renewable energy transition to Bandung’s digital governance and Brunei’s smart water management are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and respecting ASEAN’s diversity.

Fadillah also stressed the role of mayors and local governments as “frontline architects” of ASEAN’s transformation, urging that they be central to regional decision-making and equipped with advanced tools such as AI-powered urban planning, systematic knowledge-sharing and stronger cross-border networks.

“Your leadership will determine whether our cities become models of equity and environmental harmony, or cautionary tales of unchecked growth.

“Let us seize this moment to build partnerships, inspire bold policies and create a legacy of thriving, liveable communities for generations to come,” he said.

The three-day forum starts today with the theme “ASEAN Future Cities and Regions: Inclusivity and Sustainability”, aligns with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and brings together the ASEAN Smart Cities Network and ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy.

— BERNAMA