6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
UN-Habitat presidency cements Malaysia's standing in sustainable urban development
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's election as president of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly for the 2026–2029 term, representing the Asia Pacific region, marks a significant milestone that reaffirms the country's leadership role in shaping global discussions on sustainable urban development.
In a statement today, the Foreign Ministry said Malaysia was unanimously elected during the UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 30 to serve as president of the Assembly from June 2025 to June 2027.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming will represent Malaysia and preside over the Assembly during the two-year presidential term.
The ministry added that Malaysia will also serve as one of the 36 members of the UN-Habitat Executive Board for a two-year term from June 2027 to June 2029.
"The UN-Habitat Assembly and the Executive Board are the primary mechanisms of the United Nations that set policy direction on sustainable urban development and human settlements.
"The ministry wishes to thank all 193 Member States of the UN-Habitat Assembly for their overwhelming support and confidence in Malaysia to lead the Assembly and steer the Executive Board towards advancing the implementation of the United Nations New Urban Agenda for the period 2025 to 2029.
"The ministry, especially through the High Commission of Malaysia in Nairobi as the Permanent Representative to UN-Habitat, will continue to work closely with the Housing and Local Government Ministry to ensure Malaysia's tenure in the governance of the UN body is a sterling success," the statement said.
In a separate statement yesterday, Nga had said that the appointment marked the first time Malaysia would assume a leadership role in UN-Habitat, a responsibility the country is fully prepared to undertake as it showcases its achievements and offers practical solutions to global urban challenges.
The four-year presidency follows UN-Habitat's system of regional rotation.
Malaysia, he said, will succeed Mexico, which has represented Latin America and the Caribbean from 2019 to 2025.
