Latest news with #ASUF
The Sun
8 minutes ago
- Business
- The Sun
Selangor boosts ASEAN ties for sustainable urban development
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor is ready to enhance cooperation with ASEAN nations to advance inclusive, sustainable, and connected urban development. The state is implementing transformative economic and social initiatives under its long-term planning framework. Norazlina Yusof, deputy director of the Local Authority Section at the Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN), emphasised the state's commitment to exchanging best practices with regional partners. She spoke during the special session 'Thriving Together: Cities Leading the Way in Inclusion and Sustainability' at the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF). Norazlina stated that Selangor's policies prioritise leaving no one behind while balancing economic growth with environmental protection. She said, 'Selangor contributes more than 26% to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) and has positioned itself as a smart, global and low-carbon state.' Key projects driving Selangor's sustainable agenda include the Selangor Greater Klang Valley (SGKV) metropolitan initiative, the Integrated Development Region in South Selangor (IDRISS), and the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG). These aim to boost aerospace, industrial growth, and river ecosystem revitalisation. The state also launched the Selangor Climate Adaptation Centre (SCAC), Malaysia's first state-level climate governance hub. It focuses on low-carbon strategies, waste-to-energy technologies, and green job creation. Norazlina added, '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.' Social initiatives like Intizam Selangor Penyayang, the Rumah Selangor affordable housing scheme, and the SMART Selangor electric bus service further support inclusive urban development. The session also featured insights from Fatma Sahin, Mayor of Gaziantep, Turkiye, and Megumi Fujita from Tokyo Metropolitan Government, discussing disaster resilience and urban governance. – Bernama
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Urban development must be balanced, sustainable, and inclusive in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Urban development in Malaysia must be implemented inclusively with the involvement of all stakeholders to ensure sustainability and community well-being, said Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu. She emphasised that this approach is crucial to achieving balanced urbanisation while considering environmental preservation, climate change challenges, and the needs of vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and professionals. 'We want urbanisation to be developed sustainably while preserving the environment despite challenges like climate change. 'At the same time, the needs of every urban individual must be addressed, not just based on top-level visions but what communities truly require,' she said after the Stakeholder Assembly for the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF) 2025 here today. In her speech, Aiman Athirah highlighted the vital role of women, particularly at the grassroots level, as agents of resilience and innovation in tackling climate change challenges. Youth, she added, play a pioneering role in digital transformation, while the business community acts as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth through investments and sustainable urban models. She noted that programmes like ASUF 2025 provide a platform for stakeholders to share ideas, build collaborative networks, and support the implementation of the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at the local level. As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia will prioritise people-centred urbanisation, aligning with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which positions cities as key areas for realising this vision. - Bernama
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
AZAM Sarawak youth leaders to showcase projects at ASEAN forum
KUCHING: Three youth leaders from Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (AZAM Sarawak) will represent the state at the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF) Youth Assembly 2025. The event, held in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 10 to 15, will feature discussions on environmental conservation, digital innovation, and inclusive governance. AZAM Sarawak confirmed the participation of its Young Souls (AYS) wing members, including president Theron Then Kai Yuan, secretary Muhammad Shahrizan, and executive committee member Micheal Larry. The organisation stated that this opportunity highlights its leadership in youth empowerment and participatory communication. URBANICE Malaysia, under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), is organising the forum to foster regional dialogue on sustainable urbanisation. AZAM Sarawak's involvement underscores its commitment to youth-driven sustainable development in ASEAN. The group aims to amplify Sarawak's youth voices and aspirations on a regional platform. Mohd Hassnal Hakim, AZAM Sarawak's strategic communication manager, emphasised the importance of collaboration in advancing sustainability efforts. He noted that grassroots initiatives like green enterprises and digital empowerment prove youth are active solution-drivers today. AZAM Sarawak's participation reinforces the state's growing influence in regional sustainable development. The statement added that AYS serves as a benchmark for youth-led innovation, shaping progressive policies in ASEAN. This engagement further solidifies Sarawak's reputation as a model for sustainable urbanisation. - Bernama
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Shaping resilient cities
MALAYSIA will host three landmark regional events from Aug 10 to 15 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, placing cities at the heart of Asean's sustainable development journey. The Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF), Asean Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF), and Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals (MGMAC) will serve as flagship components of Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship 2025. Convened by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, Urbanice Malaysia, and the Asean Secretariat — in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) as the host city, and United Cities and Local Governments Asia-Pacific and United Nations Human Settlements Programme as co-convenors — the three forums will bring together over 8,000 participants from more than 500 cities in Asean. These include governors and mayors from all 10 Asean capitals, 156 local authorities from Malaysia, as well as leading voices from government, civil society, professionals, business, academia, youth, and women's groups. DRIVING ASEAN'S URBAN AGENDA FORWARD As Asean urbanises rapidly, more than 52 per cent of the region's nearly 700 million people now live in urban areas. Cities have become critical engines for innovation, growth, and social wellbeing, yet they also face rising inequality, infrastructure strain, and climate threats. These events offer a regional platform to forge new strategies, partnerships, and actions towards a greener, more inclusive and resilient urban future. "These forums are more than meetings," said Urbanice Malaysia chief executive officer Norliza Hashim. "They are an expression of Asean's collective ambition to ensure that urbanisation becomes a force for resilience, equity, and sustainability." ASUF: ADVANCING A PEOPLE-CENTRED URBAN FUTURE ASUF will feature high-level dialogues, technical sessions, and stakeholder assemblies aligned with Asean Community Vision 2045, Asean's Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy and the Asean Smart Cities Network. Key themes include: CLIMATE-RESILIENT Cities, INCLUSIVE, Healthy and Caring Cities, DIGITAL Transformation and Innovation, and COLLABORATIVE Pathways to Sustainable Cities. Notably, four stakeholder assemblies — focusing on women, youth, professionals, and business leaders — will surface local solutions and shape inclusive pathways for regional cooperation. Outputs from these tracks will feed directly into the forum's outcome documents and future programming. AGMF: STRENGTHENING LOCAL LEADERSHIP IN ASEAN Since its recognition in 2018, AGMF has become the region's leading platform for local urban leadership. AGMF 2025 will facilitate policy exchange on governance, finance, innovation, and service delivery — culminating in the AGMF 2025 Declared Actions: "Towards People-Centred, Resilient and Sustainable Asean Cities by 2045." This declaration will capture shared priorities and local commitments across the Asean urban landscape. MGMAC: AMPLIFYING THE VOICE OF ASEAN CAPITALS MGMAC will convene the captains of capital cities for strategic deliberations on shared challenges, from urban mobility, waste management and housing to climate adaptation and digitalisation. A key outcome will be the Joint Communiqué of MGMAC 2025, articulating coordinated actions and regional alignment among Asean capitals. MORE THAN DIALOGUE: A CELEBRATION OF URBAN INNOVATION The six-day event will also feature: More than 100 exhibition booths showcasing urban innovations and partnerships, Workshops, roundtables, as well as capacity-building sessions, and Children's programme featuring Ronda-ronda Kotaraya for children aged 10 to 15 with DBKL, Prasarana and Unicef during KL's Car-Free Day. These community-based initiatives reinforce Malaysia's commitment to participatory governance and bottom-up transformation. KUALA LUMPUR STATEMENT TO THE ASEAN LEADERS' SUMMIT The combined outcomes from ASUF, AGMF, and MGMAC will be consolidated into the Kuala Lumpur Statement on Sustainable Urbanisation 2025, which will be submitted as official input to the 47th Asean Leaders' Summit this October. This milestone ensures that local voices and urban priorities are reflected in Asean's highest policy decisions. TOWARDS A RESILIENT AND PEOPLE-CENTRED ASEAN With the convergence of policy leaders, city managers, and grassroots actors, these forums mark a pivotal step in shaping Asean's urban future. They reaffirm Malaysia's leadership in advancing the regional urban agenda and chart a vision for cities that are both future-ready and future-proof. "Sustainable urbanisation is not just a national policy, it is a shared promise to the rakyat — a promise to shape neighbourhoods and cities that reflect our hopes, honour our diversity, and prepare our children for the challenges of tomorrow. "Whether in kampungs, PPR flats, or rapidly growing urban centres, our responsibility remains the same — to build cities that care, cities that empower, and cities that belong to everyone.
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia takes lead in shaping cities of tomorrow
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is set to lead the region's urban development agenda as it prepares to host three landmark events under its 2025 Asean Chairmanship, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. He said the events would serve as strategic platforms to strengthen city-level diplomacy, promote policy innovation and position Malaysia as a regional thought leader in sustainable urbanisation. 'We are unveiling three landmark events – the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF), Asean Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF) and Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals (MGMAC) – that will shape Asean's urban future, turning Kuala Lumpur into a regional hub for innovation. 'As the Asean chair and newly appointed UN-Habitat Assembly president, Malaysia embraces the dual role as a regional convener and global advocate for sustainable urban development,' he said during the pre-launch ceremony and the unveiling of Prasarana and GoKL buses as official transport partners yesterday. Held under the theme 'Asean Future Cities and Regions: Inclusivity and Sustainability', the events are expected to draw over 8,000 participants, including governors, mayors, policymakers, youth and private sector leaders. Nga said the forums will focus on four key pillars: climate resilience, inclusivity and public well-being, digital transformation and sustainability through partnerships. 'They are not merely abstract ideals, but blueprints grounded in real case studies, actionable solutions and policy recommendations, empowering leaders to respond to urban challenges with clarity and commitment.' The programme will include eight technical visits, five stakeholder assemblies, a 100-booth urban exposition and over 150 sessions and forums led by more than 200 experts from Asean and beyond. Nga emphasised the ministry's commitment to inclusivity, noting that 6,000 participants have already registered, with 200 Asean youth volunteers selected from countries including Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. 'This is a true expression of democratic urban governance. The event belongs to everyone – from governors and mayors to children, youth, women, academics and the private sector.' During the ceremony, he introduced Prasarana and GoKL buses as 'moving ambassadors' for the upcoming forums, aimed at raising public awareness and engagement in the lead-up to August. Nga also paid tribute to KL Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif for taking on the role of host city, commending KL City Hall's commitment to ensuring seamless execution across infrastructure, logistics and outreach. 'With just 30 days to go, I urge all stakeholders to move forward with unity and pride in making ASUF, AGMF and MGMAC 2025 a milestone for sustainable and inclusive urban growth in Asean.'
