Meeting SDG goals on the ground
Maimunah (right) unveiling the KL SDG plaque at Menara DBKL. Looking on are (from left) Marshall, Hanum, Anita and Norliza. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is stepping up efforts to meet United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, marking a critical phase in the city's push for sustainable and inclusive urban development.
These efforts include localising SDGs through community-driven programmes, citywide planning initiatives and targeted flagship projects designed to turn global goals into practical, everyday actions for Kuala Lumpur residents.
Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said she aimed to make 2025 the year of implementation and action.
'We want to focus on getting people to truly embrace SDGs.
'These are global goals, but the real work happens at local level,' she said.
City Hall, she said, aimed to enhance the city's sustainability, inclusivity and liveability via 15 flagship programmes in five main areas – plan-led development; inclusive communities; green and sustainable city; effective communication; and good governance.
'These are specific, detailed initiatives that align with the SDGs and reflect our approach to localisation.
'For example, we need to gazette KL Local Plan 2040 so that the city's development is plan-led.
'Without a proper plan, the city risks becoming a sprawling mess,' she said.
Since 2013, DBKL had implemented various initiatives in line with sustainable development goals, including the 'KL Car-Free Morning' programme, construction of dedicated bicycle lanes, publication of KL SDG Roadmap, establishment of KL SDG Centre and implementation of the Voluntary Local Review.
Maimunah said many of these projects had been well-received, such as the KL car-free programme which runs every Sunday from 7am to 9am.
'I have even had requests from people wanting us to extend the timing, which we are looking into.
'DBKL is also expanding dedicated bicycle lanes, from the current 79km to over 100km.'
The mayor was speaking after the launch of a KL SDG plaque at Menara DBKL in Jalan Raja Laut.
There are similar plaques installed at 21 other locations, highlighting the 17 SDGs and sustainable practices carried out in those areas.
'We are proud that Kuala Lumpur has fully adopted all 10 targets under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
'From delivering 20,000 affordable homes, improving first-and-last mile connections and reducing flood-prone areas to expanding green spaces which now cover 9.5% of our city, we are not just complying but leading,' Maimunah added.
Dr Richard Marshall, senior economist with the UN office in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, highlighted the crucial role of local action in achieving SDGs.
'SDG progress data announced by the UN secretary-general in late 2024 shows that the world collectively faces a very daunting task.
'Of the 169 SDG targets, the UN estimates that only 17% are on track for achievement, a further 18% are lagging, some 48% show moderate to severe deviation, and most troublingly, 17% actually show regression, meaning the position has deteriorated on the 2015 Baseline.
'These findings make clear the urgency of scaled-up actions across all countries and at all levels,' he said in his speech.
Marshall commended DBKL for raising awareness and integrating the goals into urban policy and services.
Also present were Urbanice Malaysia chief executive officer Norliza Hashim, MySDG Foundation chief executive officer Anita Ahmad and DBKL Project Implementation and Building Maintenance Department director Hanum Ain Zainal.
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