‘Balance prosperity with equity'

The Star

20 hours ago

Regional unity: Fadillah (centre, front row) posing for a group photo, flanked by Nga and Dr Zaliha at the opening of the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum, the Asean Governors and Mayors Forum and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean must ensure that the prosperity generated by rapid urbanisation is shared equitably among all communities and is not achieved at the expense of the vulnerable, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
The Deputy Prime Minister said urban areas in Asean are already home to more than 370 million people, contributing 70% of the region's gross domestic product and powering a US$3.8 trillion (RM16 trillion) economy in 2024.
He said 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,' Fadillah added.
He said this in his keynote address at the opening of the 2025 Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum, Asean Governors and Mayors Forum and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals here yesterday, Bernama reported.
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 that as Asean Chair, Malaysia reaffirms its unwavering commitment to deepening regional cooperation, advancing economic integration and safeguarding peace and stability in South-East Asia for the region's communities.
He stressed that urbanisation must serve as a unifying force, adding that urgent solutions are needed for 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 is 'not optional' but essential for survival, noting threats such as rising sea levels in Vietnam's Mekong Delta and intensifying heatwaves across the region.
He praised proven Asean innovations in finding climate crisis solutions, citing Singapore's green building standards, Indonesia's renewable energy transition and Bandung's digital governance, as well as Brunei's smart water management.
He said they are aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and respect Asean's diversity.
Fadillah also stressed the role of mayors and local governments as 'frontline architects' of Asean's transformation.
He said they should be central to regional decision-making and be 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 started yesterday with the theme 'Asean Future Cities and Regions: Inclusivity and Sustainability'.
It aligns with the Asean Community Vision 2045 and brings together the Asean Smart Cities Network and Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy.