Latest news with #AseanSmartCitiesNetwork
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
M'sia urges concrete action in global city partnerships
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is calling for a bold shift in global city cooperation, urging mayors and urban leaders to move beyond discussions and act on shared challenges through concrete urban partnerships. The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) said Minister Nga Kor Ming (pic), in his capacity as the UN-Habitat Assembly president, made the call in his special address during the World Cities Summit 2025, which is being held in Vienna, Austria. Nga, in addressing over 75 mayors and city leaders from around the world, underscored the urgency for city-level action rooted in local implementation and backed by innovation. 'Collaboration must lead to projects that solve real urban challenges. We must institutionalise knowledge-sharing and back our intentions with innovation funding, technical hubs and measurable outcomes,' he said in a Bernama report that is based on the KPKT statement yesterday. Nga outlined a forward-looking approach that encourages cities to work together through mechanisms such as joint innovation funding, regional coordination on shared urban concerns, and standardised urban metrics to track the effectiveness of their initiatives. He stressed that these are not mere theoretical but tested strategies grounded in Malaysia's own experience. 'Through platforms such as the Malaysia SDG Cities Roadmap, the Asean Smart Cities Network, and the Asia-Pacific New Urban Agenda Platform, we actively promote knowledge exchange and scalable solutions for sustainable urban development,' he added. In reinforcing his call, Nga highlighted transformative urban models from around the world, including Barcelona's Superblocks, Yokohama's Zero Waste policy, and Curitiba's Bus Rapid Transit, describing them as examples of urban innovation that achieved global impact through networked learning. Kuala Lumpur mayor and adviser on Sustainable Urbanisation Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif also shared several key insights on delivering affordable housing during her intervention speech at the Mayors Forum on Thursday. She said affordable housing is more than a development target, it is a reflection of the government's social compact with the people. 'Real affordability takes more than policy, it demands shared conviction ... a truly inclusive city is one that listens, adapts, and responds in order to build a genuine sense of belonging with its people,' she said.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia urges global shift towards action-based urban cooperation
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia calls for a bold shift in global city cooperation, urging mayors and urban leaders to move beyond discussions and act on shared challenges through concrete urban partnerships. In a statement today, the Housing and Local Government Ministry said its minister Nga Kor Ming, in his capacity as the UN-Habitat Assembly (UNHA) president, made the call in his special address during the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2025, which is being held in Vienna. Nga, in addressing over 75 mayors and city leaders from around the world, underscored the urgency for city-level action rooted in local implementation and backed by innovation. "Collaboration must lead to projects that solve real urban challenges. "We must institutionalise knowledge-sharing and back our intentions with innovation funding, technical hubs and measurable outcomes," he said. Nga outlined a forward-looking approach that encourages cities to work together through mechanisms such as joint innovation funding, regional coordination on shared urban concerns, and standardised urban metrics to track the effectiveness of their initiatives. He stressed that these are not mere theoretical but tested strategies grounded in Malaysia's own experience. "Through platforms such as the Malaysia SDG Cities Roadmap, the Asean Smart Cities Network, and the Asia-Pacific New Urban Agenda Platform, we actively promote knowledge exchange and scalable solutions for sustainable urban development," he added. In reinforcing his call, Nga highlighted transformative urban models from around the world, including Barcelona's Superblocks, Yokohama's Zero Waste policy, and Curitiba's Bus Rapid Transit, describing them as examples of urban innovation that achieved global impact through networked learning. According to the statement, Kuala Lumpur Mayor and Advisor on Sustainable Urbanisation Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif also shared several key insights on delivering affordable housing during her intervention speech at the Mayors Forum yesterday. She highlighted that affordable housing is more than a development target, it is a reflection of the government's social compact with the people. "Real affordability takes more than policy, it demands shared conviction... a truly inclusive city is one that listens, adapts, and responds in order to build a genuine sense of belonging with its people," she said.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean flag deserves a spot next to Jalur Gemilang
How many Malaysians can readily identify the Asean flag, the emblem that represents unity, strength and shared identity among Southeast Asian nations? Not many. Yet in recent weeks, the flag has gained prominence, being displayed in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia hosts the 2025 Asean Summit, alongside the summit's logo and theme of sustainability and inclusivity. Amid the hustle and bustle usually associated with such high-level meetings, the Asean flag stands as a silent yet powerful reminder of Malaysia's deep-rooted connection to this organisation. But should our recognition of the flag be limited to Asean Summits held every decade or the annual Asean Day celebrations on Aug 8? Certainly not. Malaysia's identity in Asean deserves more than fleeting visibility. It should be ingrained in our national consciousness, just as deeply as our Jalur Gemilang. The Asean flag is more than a decorative emblem; it represents tangible opportunities for Malaysians. For young professionals in Malaysia, it can signify the importance of the Asean Mutual Recognition Arrangements that enable engineers, nurses and tourism specialists to work in Asean nations with recognised qualifications. It also ties into the Asean Smart Cities Network, which drives urban development and digital connectivity in the region. For business owners and corporate executives, Asean offers vast opportunities across multiple sectors, thanks to its regional trade agreements, economic integration and strategic location. Malaysia's strong economic performance, strategic location and trade agreements make it a key player in Asean's growth. Businesses can leverage these opportunities to expand regionally and globally. A key driver is the Asean Free Trade Area, which allows for tariff reduction, thus making Malaysian exports more competitive. Malaysia's trade with Asean reached RM765 billion in 2024, accounting for 26.6 per cent of the country's total trade. With Asean's digital economy growing, it offers new business models for Malaysian firms. And there's also the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which provides expanded market access to Asean and the Asia Pacific. If Malaysians lack awareness of Asean's significance, how can they seize these opportunities? The answer lies in stronger visibility and education about Asean's presence, starting with recognising its flag and all it stands for. To decode the symbolism of the Asean flag, let's look at the elements: Dark Blue Background: Represents peace and stability, a commitment shared by member nations; Bright Red Circle: Mirrors the courage and dynamism of Asean, signifying collective strength in facing challenges; and, White Circle Enclosing the Emblem: A symbol of unity and harmony, proving that despite diversity, Asean nations stand as one. The 10 yellow stalks of rice represent Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,and Vietnam, bound together in solidarity and striving for regional prosperity. Rice, a staple food in Asean, further emphasises that shared culture. In promoting the flag's visibility, we must remember that under the Asean Charter, the flag is not limited to embassy grounds; it can be flown in government buildings, ministries, universities and event venues. Asean member states are encouraged to display it alongside their national flags, signifying commitment to the bloc. But there must be protocol for flag display to ensure diplomatic and symbolic respect. The national flag should always take the position of honour. The Asean flag should be of equal size and height when flown with the national flag and should never be placed higher than a national flag, ensuring respect for sovereignty while reinforcing Asean's collective identity. Malaysia, as an integral member of Asean, can normalise the presence of the Asean flag beyond official gatherings. Increased awareness starts with education, visibility and conversations about Asean's role in shaping Malaysia's future. Flying the flag isn't just about symbolism. It t's about acknowledging the economic, cultural and diplomatic benefits Asean provides. If Malaysians are encouraged to embrace it, they will begin to see Asean not as a distant entity but as a powerful force shaping their opportunities and progress. The Asean flag should not be reserved for ceremonial occasions, but should be flown daily as a reminder that Malaysia stands in unity with its neighbours.
