LANGKAWI: Asean has to take a stronger stance in global climate change discussions to ensure the region’s multilateral environmental agreements remain relevant, says Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
“We hope to strengthen regional cooperation on key environmental priorities through deeper cross-sectoral collaboration, especially among AMME, Asean Senior Officials on Environment (ASOEN) and sectoral bodies under Asean,” the acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said in his opening speech while chairing the 18th Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18) here on Wednesday (Sept 3).
Johari added that Asean would also finalise its common position ahead of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP30) later this year.
Asean environment ministers from 12 countries and representatives from the European Union are attending the AMME-18 over the next two days to discuss cooperation and issues affecting the environment in Asean countries.
“We must unite as a region to effectively influence global climate discussions. In this view, Asean can and should take a stronger stance on issues such as climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, just transition and the Global Goal on Adaptation,” said Johari, who is also Plantations and Commodities Minister.
The minister further said that he hoped the AMME-18 would also advance the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements that are relevant to Asean.
“This includes the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) of the Global Plastic Treaty.
“Let us use this opportunity to not only reflect on our past successes but also to push forward with impactful purpose. Together, we can build lasting partnerships, develop practical solutions, and demonstrate Asean’s leadership in creating a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future,” said Johari.
Malaysia is this year’s Asean chair and will host the summit under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability”. The 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur this October, is set to be one of the largest in the grouping's history.
