Latest news with #Asuf
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Push for local action on global environmental policie
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will, for the first time, push to integrate the New Urban Agenda into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a landmark move aimed at ensuring that global environmental policies translate into action at the local level. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming yesterday launched the Kuala Lumpur Call to Action for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), to be presented at the UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil in November. 'This initiative will be the central engine driving our collective efforts. 'I urge everyone to not just participate, but to actively lead and champion this cause. We must ensure that no one and no place is left behind in our urbanising world,' he said at the closing ceremony of the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (Asuf), Asean Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF) and Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals (MGMAC) 2025. The week-long gatherings brought together more than 9,000 participants from across Asean and beyond, culminating in commitments to strengthen cooperation in building sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient cities. Nga, who also serves as UN-Habitat Assembly president, said the meetings were proof of Asean's shared recognition that urbanisation is no longer just the backdrop to development, but 'the driving engine of our future.' 'Urban leadership is not a choice, it is a necessity. Local voices are not peripheral, they are pivotal. 'The future of Asean must not be written from the top down, but co-authored by our cities, our communities and our people.' He added that the region's collective commitment safeguards the well-being of nearly 700 million people in Asia against challenges such as climate change, housing affordability and urban sprawl. The following are key outcomes from the forum. Asuf – Reaffirmed alignment with the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy and Asean Community Vision 2045. Malaysia will establish an Asean Smart and Sustainable Centre, led by Urbanice Malaysia, to support innovative, scalable projects and facilitate city-to-city partnerships under the Asean Smart Cities Network. AGMF – Adopted shared commitments to promote greater inclusion of women and youth in urban governance, reinforcing the importance of bottom-up approaches to sustainability. MGMAC – Adopted the Joint Communique of MGMAC 2025, agreed to establish a permanent secretariat in Jakarta, formalised the MGMAC City Network, advanced Voluntary Local Reviews and issued a call for international investment at the local level, including from the UN and World Bank. 'These milestones are not just agreements on paper, but living commitments to build cities that are sustainable, people-centred and climate-resilient.' On behalf of the participants, Nga also formally submitted the Kuala Lumpur Sustainable Declaration on Localising Asean Community Vision 2045 as an official input to the 47th Asean Leaders' Summit in October. 'This declaration sends a message that without action, we risk fracturing our cities and increasing disparity in equity distribution.' His proposal to integrate the New Urban Agenda into UNFCCC would mark the first time urban priorities are formally embedded within the climate change framework, ensuring that global environmental policies translate into actionable measures for local governments. He said the Kuala Lumpur Call to Action for COP30 would drive this mission forward and serve as a rallying point for governments, cities and communities ahead of the UN climate talks in Brazil. The next AGMF and MGMAC would be held in Manila in 2026, while Kuala Lumpur would welcome international visitors for Visit Malaysia 2026. He also said the gatherings this week are 'a testament to the strength of Asean cooperation' and a step toward shaping cities that are 'inclusive, innovative, sustainable and united in purpose.' He added that Malaysia would continue to mobilise its 156 local governments to align climate policies with local development plans, budgeting and on-ground projects, reinforcing its position as a global best practice in multi-level governance.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
KL Declaration to be submitted to Asean Summit, says Nga
KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Sustainable Declaration on Localising Asean Community Vision 2045 will be submitted to the 47th Asean Summit in October as official input, said says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. Nga, who is also UN Habitat Assembly (UNHA) president, said that the declaration sends a clear and urgent message that urban leadership is essential and that local voices are central to shaping Asean's future. "These milestones are not just agreements on paper, they are a promise of stronger regional cooperation and a shared resolve to build cities that are resilient, sustainable and people-centred. "As president of UNHA, I take note of the need for action on the ground. I call for constructive and innovative action to ensure that cities and member states work together to realise the Asean Vision 2045," he said. Nga pointed out this at the joint closing ceremony of the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (Asuf), Asean Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF) and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals (MGMAC) 2025. The events, held over three days, were attended by more than 9,000 participants from across Asean and beyond, and addressed pressing urban challenges such as climate change, housing affordability and urban sprawl. Apart from the declaration, Nga also launched the KL Call to Action for COP30, calling it the "central engine" to drive Asean's collective climate response. The initiative aims to integrate the New Urban Agenda into the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process so that environmental policies are implemented effectively by local governments and communities. At the same time, it will push for the integration of the New Urban Agenda into the UNFCCC process, ensuring environmental policies are effectively implemented at the local level. Nga said the Asuf reaffirmed its alignment with the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Strategy (Asus) and Asean Community Vision 2045, with Malaysia set to launch an Asean Smart and Sustainable Centre led by Urbanice Malaysia to drive scalable projects and city-to-city partnerships. The AGMF, on the other hand, adopted shared commitments including promoting greater inclusion of women and youth in urban governance, while the MGMAC agreed to establish a permanent secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. "Among its key commitments are the formalisation of the MGMAC City Network, the advancement of Voluntary Local Reviews, and a united call for greater investment at the local level from international institutions such as the United Nations and the World Bank," he said. Meanwhile, in her speech, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif stated that the establishment of the secretariat in Jakarta would monitor and report on commitments and support for the Philippines, which is the upcoming Asean host. "With the generous support of the Governor of Jakarta, The Honorable Pramono Anung, the secretariat will help us coordinate, share resources and manage projects on the ground," she said. – Bernama
