PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is on track to realising its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ahead of 2030, thanks to several policies implemented by the Government, says Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan (pic).
The Minister in Prime Minister's Department in charge of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) said that Malaysia has taken five crucial steps to execute these goals to improve the livelihood of the people.
In his presentation on the progress of the 2030 SDG Agenda at UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, US on Monday, Rahman said the steps included establishing a multi-stakeholder and participatory governance structure spearheaded by the National SDG Council, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"(We have also) organised SDG symposiums and forums to promote participation of stakeholders, conducted studies on data readiness and gap analysis, undertaken a mapping exercise involving non non-governmental, civil society organisations and the private sector to align SDGs with the 11th Malaysia Plan initiatives and formulated a National SDG Roadmap to guide the implementation of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs," he said.
Rahman said the success of the New Economic Model (NEM) formulated by the Prime Minister also showed Malaysia's commitment to sustainable development.
Apart from that, he said Malaysia had also recorded the biggest reduction on the percentage of population under poverty line amongst ASEAN countries according to the Asian Development Bank.
"Malaysia also has sustained efforts to supplement dietary needs of children from poor families, raised self-sufficiency levels (SSL), and is now preparing for the impact of climate-related disasters in efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.
"Malaysia has provided basic health care into remote settlements using "flying doctor" services and is currently focusing on tackling 'second-tier' health issues comprising non-communicable diseases," he said.
Rahman also contributed Malaysia's progress to the increasing participation of women in decision-making roles in the public sector.
"Malaysia has achieved the 30% target of women in decision-making roles in the public sector and a respectable 7.3% increase of working women at primary level. Initiatives in the private sector also helps increasing women's representation in the board of directors," he said.
He said Malaysia also ensured that continuous efforts were made to promote enterprise and social innovation through collaboration between industries and institutions, and community empowerment.
To achieve these goals, he said Malaysia had actively partnered with other developing countries by participating in and strengthening south-south cooperation.
In terms of transport development, Malaysia's rail network has been boosted with mega projects such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) to connect developing and highly-developed capital areas, and the first ever Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) to enhance the comprehensive intra-city network, he said.
"Malaysia, meanwhile has established 63 marine protected areas accounting for 3.4% of the coastal and marine areas, where specific mandatory management protocols have considered conservation, rehabilitation, and alternative livelihoods for communities.
"Malaysia too has maintained its pledge at the East Summit 1992 of at least 50% of land under forest cover with 55.2% under various forms of protection, in 2015. Current efforts include drawing up of the list for threatened species, paired with implementation of innovative methods," he said.
Rahman then stressed that Malaysia's deep resolve to aggressively undertake sustainable development.
"The SDG principles are entrenched in every facet of our development carried out under the 11th Malaysia Plan," he said.
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