KOTA KINABALU: Coastal cities must balance economic growth with environmental protection while building climate resilience, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said on Monday (Oct 12).
In a speech read by Assistant Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai at the opening of the Kota Kinabalu International Mayors’ Dialogue (KKIMD) 2026, Hajiji said that trade and tourism hubs face heightened risks from rising sea levels, extreme weather, and marine pollution.
"We do not have to choose between prosperity and protection," Hajiji said, calling for climate adaptation, such as flood control, mangrove restoration, and nature-based solutions, to be integrated into daily city management to support the Blue Economy.
He highlighted the need for climate finance, public-private partnerships, and green infrastructure funding, noting that urban centres must collaborate across borders to address shared ecological challenges.
Hajiji cited Sabah’s Tun Mustapha Park as a model for balancing marine conservation with local economic needs.
He also underscored the state’s Blue Economy goals across fisheries, renewable energy, and coastal tourism, alongside Kota Kinabalu City Hall’s Smart City initiatives utilising digital tools for flood warnings and urban planning.
The KKIMD 2026 brought together delegates from 15 cities across eight countries, including South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States, to discuss digital governance, urban resilience, and international partnerships.
