Ismail Sabri makes offer for UN-Habitat to set up office in KL

NEW YORK: The United Nations has been offered the opportunity to set up a UN-Habitat regional office in Kuala Lumpur so it can be “close” to the rapid process of urbanisation happening in South-East Asia.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said UN-Habitat should have an office in the Asean region as member countries are experiencing fast-paced development, which could also lead to environmental issues.

“I made this offer during my meeting with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He did not make any commitment but said he will look into the matter,” Ismail Sabri told the Malaysian media here on Sunday (Sept 25) after the meeting.

UN-Habitat, or the UN Human Settlement Programme, is an agency focussing on human settlements, mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities.

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Former Penang mayor Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif is its current executive director.

The Prime Minister said Malaysia would continue to support and cooperate with all UN-Habitat sponsored programmes and believed that the body would continue to excel in implementing programmes related to sustainable development goals.