PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is calling for stronger global cooperation and greater urgency in tackling the world’s worsening urban and housing challenges, as it launches a new regional platform aimed at accelerating sustainable urban development across the Asia-Pacific.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (pic) said urbanisation must be approached through a human-centred lens, adding that cities are ultimately about people and dignity rather than statistics alone.
“Let us commit to Human-Centred Urbanism, and work collectively to bridge the estimated US$5.4 trillion annual financing gap for climate-resilient infrastructure,” said Nga, who is also president of the UN-Habitat Assembly.
Speaking at the opening of the Malaysia Pavilion at the 13th World Urban Forum in Baku, he said the newly launched Asia Pacific Urban Agenda Platform (AP-UAP) would help transform fragmented urban efforts across the region into a more coordinated and action-oriented ecosystem.
“Born from a strategic partnership between the government of Malaysia and UN-Habitat, this platform is more than an initiative; it is a mission.
“It unites like-minded Member States to embed the New Urban Agenda into the very fabric of national development in all countries,” he said.
The AP-UAP, developed through collaboration between Urbanice Malaysia and UN-Habitat, aims to strengthen cooperation and accelerate the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals across 58 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
At a press conference, Nga said nearly 2.8 billion people worldwide are affected by the global housing crisis, warning rapid urbanisation, climate pressures and widening inequalities require urgent and coordinated action.
He said Malaysia’s home ownership rate has reached 77%, while more than 1.1 million affordable homes have been delivered under this government.
He added that over 115 million trees have also been planted as part of the government’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
