Malaysia Emphasises Need To Boost Partnerships To Deal With Global Crises

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has emphasised the need to boost partnerships to achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030, especially when dealing with global crises during the second session of the UN Habitat Assembly 2023 that is currently taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from June 5 to 9.

In a statement released by the Local Government Development Ministry tonight, its minister Nga Kor Ming shared the country’s policies and best practices in sustainable development, which is being implemented in three main components - housing, solid waste management and sustainable initiatives - at the assembly themed “Sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in times of global crises”.

“Malaysia would like to stress the country’s commitment to preparing adequate, affordable housing of quality in line with the National Housing Policy that aims to prepare half a million affordable homes by 2025.

“Until now, Malaysia has built 250,000 units and the national homeownership rate is over 77 per cent,” he said.

Circular Economy Framework in Solid Waste Management will be a reference document in accelerating the implementation of circular economy initiatives that also include the development of an integrated waste management facility (IWMF) that provides various treatment facilities including Waste to Energy facilities. While the Waste to Gold initiative is expected to contribute to boosting the Recycling Rate from 33.17 percent to 40 percent by 2025.

Malaysia also expressed support for environmental sustainability under the Central Forest Spine Ecology Network Masterplan (PIRECFS) which aims to boost forest biodiversity and coverage from 43 percent to 50 percent by connecting all forests while increasing the preparation of 11,773 public parks and planting 100 million trees until 2025.

Nga also gave the keynote address in a side event entitled “The Need for Balance: Affordable Living and Adequate Affordable Housing for All”, where he shared Malaysia’s housing initiatives, including preparation, ownership, financing and programmes implemented by the government, especially for the B40 and M40 groups.

Panellists from Pakistan, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia represented by PR1MA Corporation Malaysia (PR1MA) along with housing experts from UN Habitat were also present at the side event.

Nga also took the time to officiate Rumah Malaysia, the Malaysian exhibition space at the assembly, which showcased his ministry’s products and services, especially in the fields of housing and solid waste management.

The Malaysian delegation, led by Nga, was one of two countries selected to meet with Kenyan president Dr William Samoei Ruto at the assembly.

Malaysia will also hold bilateral sessions with several UN member countries, including China, the UAE, Columbia and Egypt.

-- BERNAMA