ISKANDAR PUTERI: Malaysia will use Asean as a platform to call for a greater push in addressing climate change, when it assume its chairmanship next year, says Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
The Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister said sustainability has to transcend national boundaries as climate change is a threat to all nations.
“All nations must come together to forge new, more sustainable ways for development and commerce. This idea is not alien to Malaysia as we have never been an isolationist country,” he added.
Nik Nazmi said this in his speech when officiating the Youth Sustainability Forum 2024 held at a hotel here on Saturday (Aug 17).
He added that Malaysia is a founding member of Asean, as the country’s leaders forged the Bangkok Declaration in 1967 that gave birth to Asean.
Nik Nazmi said through many challenges but also triumphs, Southeast Asia has largely remained a region of peace, progress and neutrality thanks to their vision and their willingness to pursue harmony in diversity.
“Today, we face challenges of a different kind, though no less stern. Geopolitical conflict rubs shoulders with climate change and the challenge of closing social polarisation as threats to nations and regions alike.
“And in the face of this, I will argue that Asean is an undeveloped and untapped platform that we ought to utilise to face these challenges,” he added.
Nik Nazmi also said the region is home to more than 650 million people and added that the economic gravity is shifting to Asia, and Southeast Asia would be at the forefront of this.
He added the natural resources and manufacturing potential necessary to power the new economic paradigms were to be found in abundance within its shores.
Nik Nazmi also said that despite its rich economic potential, it would come to naught if countries do not face down the threat of climate change.
“Just as Malaysia embraced, upheld and led Asean in navigating the Cold War and its aftermath, we believe that it must step up to help Southeast Asia to meet the challenge of climate change.
“Moreover, we are committed to working closely with our Asean neighbours to create a regional framework for sustainability that leverages our collective strengths.
“During Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2025, we have a historic opportunity to chart a sustainable path forward for our region,” he added.
Nik Nazmi also said Malaysia acknowledged the severe impact of climate change already being felt across Southeast Asia and added that the country emphasises the urgent need for the region to present a united front on the global stage to address climate crisis.
“Asean is our future and we need to steer Malaysia to be at the forefront of the region moving forward. We must aspire to serve and also lead the region.
“We hope to pursue an Asean approach to the COP process especially in relation to a more just climate financing when Malaysia assumes Asean chairmanship next year,” he added.
Nik Nazmi said that Malaysia sees its role as a bridge to connect the diverse cultures and perspectives of Asean, and fostering a shared vision for a sustainable future.
“By embracing our diversity and working in harmony, we can pioneer new pathways to sustainability that will benefit generations to come,” he added.
