BAKU (AZERBAIJAN): Malaysia aims to establish itself as a leading hub for green investments to drive sustainable growth, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

“Through the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), Malaysia aims to establish itself as a leading hub for green investments by promoting supportive policies and fostering strategic collaborations to drive sustainable growth,” he stated during the country’s address at the Ministerial Roundtable on Urbanisation and Climate Change.

In delivering the country’s statement, Nga also urged the global community to put ideas into actions, saying, “We will not be remembered for what we have said but for what we have done and left for future generations.”

“We cannot change the past, but collectively, we can determine the future. So let’s do it together,” he stressed.

He emphasised that the scale of urban climate challenges calls for intensified action and greater financial support, noting that only 27% of nationally determined contributions globally currently include comprehensive urban strategies.

In addition, Nga expressed Malaysia’s strong support for the Declaration on Multisectoral Action Pathways (MAP) to Resilient and Healthy Cities.

“Its focus on fostering multi-sectoral collaboration is critical for addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change, especially in urban settings where these impacts are most pronounced,” he said.

“In fact, MAP aligns closely with our national priorities such as the Low Carbon and Climate Change Resilient Urban Planning Guidelines spearheaded by the Housing and Local Government Ministry,” he added.

Nga has further reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to preparing the Third National Urban Policy (NUP3), which will incorporate climate-conscious strategies to address urbanisation challenges.

“We are now preparing the NUP3 for inclusive and balanced development, which emphasises on creating cities that are not only economically vibrant but also liveable and sustainable,” he said.

Nga also shared that the ministry is integrating climate-resilient design features into its affordable housing projects to ensure the urban poor are not left behind in the transition to greener cities.

“Furthermore, we aim to build and upgrade at least 100 public parks each year to scale up our nature-based solutions,” he added.

The Housing and Local Government Ministry is part of Malaysia’s delegation to COP29, also known as the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, which focuses on tackling climate change challenges amid rapid urbanisation.