Latest news with #SustainableDevelopmentGoal11
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
'Yes Bengaluru' challenge calls for innovative solutions for city's urban issues: Report
Bengaluru has taken a bold step toward becoming a model sustainable city by launching a global innovation initiative aimed at tackling pressing urban challenges. Following in the footsteps of San Francisco, the city has introduced 'Yes Bengaluru,' a start-up-driven challenge designed to uncover innovative solutions to civic issues, the Deccan Herald reported. Bengaluru is known for its infamous traffic woes and substandard infrastructure.(PTI) The initiative, officially launched on July 8 by Karnataka's Department of Electronics, IT, and Biotechnology, is set to empower emerging start-ups to co-create a more liveable and eco-friendly Bengaluru for generations to come. READ | Bengaluru tunnel road between Hebbal and Silk Board to be toll-based, says DK Shivakumar Yes Bengaluru is a call to action for the city's innovators, said Sharath Bachegowda, Hoskote MLA and Chairman of KEONICS, who led a state delegation to the US recently, according to the report. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to cement partnerships with the World Economic Forum (WEF) and global consultancy firm Deloitte, the program's knowledge partner. In its inaugural meeting, more than 45 participants — including entrepreneurs, tech companies, and civic leaders — gathered to discuss over a dozen high-impact ideas. Roughly 10 to 15 of these were shortlisted for further development, the report stated. READ | Bengaluru-based Instagram page under fire for filming women on streets without consent, admin arrested The initiative will focus on urban challenges like air and noise pollution, waste management, traffic bottlenecks, and water treatment. According to Bachegowda, once viable solutions are developed, the city's municipal bodies such as BBMP will work with start-ups to implement them. Deloitte was working with the government to launch the challenge, which was expected to go live within two months. Minister for IT and BT, Priyank Kharge, highlighted the program's long-term vision, saying that Yes Bengaluru is their way of tapping into the creative energy of the start-up community to make the city more sustainable, efficient, and inclusive. Yes Bengaluru is inspired by the success of Yes San Francisco, launched in 2023 through a coalition involving the WEF, Deloitte, Salesforce, Citi, and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. That initiative invited entrepreneurs to propose transformative ideas aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 11 — to create cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, the report added.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia prepares to assume UN-Habitat presidency, eyes broader urban development role
PUTRAJAYA: As Malaysia prepares to assume the presidency of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly for the 2025–2029 term, the government aims to leverage this role to deepen international cooperation and promote sustainable urban planning practices both domestically and abroad. In a statement today, the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) said the appointment is expected to create opportunities for strategic partnerships, enhance Malaysia's participation in global urban policy discussions and support more coordinated efforts to address urban challenges. 'This is the first time Malaysia will hold the presidency of the UN's highest urban development platform, marking a significant international recognition of the country's commitment to advancing the global urban development agenda,' the statement said. KPKT added that the role aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which focuses on building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. During this term, Malaysia will serve as president and hold a seat on the Executive Board alongside the United Arab Emirates, jointly representing the Asia-Pacific region. Upon his return from Nairobi, Kenya, where the election was held during the recent UN-Habitat Assembly, Minister Nga Kor Ming was welcomed by ministry staff in a brief gathering to mark the milestone. The ministry noted that this leadership role offers a platform to share Malaysia's experiences while also learning from international best practices. Nga expressed gratitude to the ministry and its agencies for their support in strengthening Malaysia's urban development policies and initiatives on the global stage, as well as for their efforts in developing frameworks that promote livable and sustainable urban spaces. 'This is not just KPKT's success, but a victory for all Malaysians. We will shoulder this responsibility together for the future of our cities,' Nga said.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia prepares to assume UN-Habitat presidency
PUTRAJAYA: As Malaysia prepares to assume the presidency of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly for the 2025–2029 term, the government aims to leverage this role to deepen international cooperation and promote sustainable urban planning practices both domestically and abroad. In a statement today, the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) said the appointment is expected to create opportunities for strategic partnerships, enhance Malaysia's participation in global urban policy discussions and support more coordinated efforts to address urban challenges. 'This is the first time Malaysia will hold the presidency of the UN's highest urban development platform, marking a significant international recognition of the country's commitment to advancing the global urban development agenda,' the statement said. KPKT added that the role aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which focuses on building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. During this term, Malaysia will serve as president and hold a seat on the Executive Board alongside the United Arab Emirates, jointly representing the Asia-Pacific region. Upon his return from Nairobi, Kenya, where the election was held during the recent UN-Habitat Assembly, Minister Nga Kor Ming was welcomed by ministry staff in a brief gathering to mark the milestone. The ministry noted that this leadership role offers a platform to share Malaysia's experiences while also learning from international best practices. Nga expressed gratitude to the ministry and its agencies for their support in strengthening Malaysia's urban development policies and initiatives on the global stage, as well as for their efforts in developing frameworks that promote livable and sustainable urban spaces. 'This is not just KPKT's success, but a victory for all Malaysians. We will shoulder this responsibility together for the future of our cities,' Nga said.
The Star
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia prepares to assume UN-Habitat presidency, eyes broader urban development role
PUTRAJAYA: As Malaysia prepares to assume the presidency of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Assembly for the 2025-2029 term, the government aims to leverage this role to deepen international cooperation and promote sustainable urban planning practices both domestically and abroad. In a statement Wednesday (June 4), the Housing and Local Government Ministry said the appointment is expected to create opportunities for strategic partnerships, enhance Malaysia's participation in global urban policy discussions and support more coordinated efforts to address urban challenges. "This is the first time Malaysia will hold the presidency of the UN's highest urban development platform, marking a significant international recognition of the country's commitment to advancing the global urban development agenda," the statement said. The ministry added that the role aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which focuses on building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. During this term, Malaysia would serve as president and hold a seat on the Executive Board alongside the United Arab Emirates, jointly representing the Asia-Pacific region. Upon his return from Nairobi, Kenya, where the election was held during the recent UN-Habitat Assembly, Minister Nga Kor Ming was welcomed by ministry staff in a brief gathering to mark the milestone. The ministry noted that this leadership role offers a platform to share Malaysia's experiences while also learning from international best practices. Nga expressed gratitude to the ministry and its agencies for their support in strengthening Malaysia's urban development policies and initiatives on the global stage, as well as for their efforts in developing frameworks that promote livable and sustainable urban spaces. "This is not just the ministry's success, but a victory for all Malaysians. We will shoulder this responsibility together for the future of our cities," Nga said. – Bernama
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
20,000 seniors to benefit from Shah Alam's free parking scheme
SHAH ALAM: More than 20,000 senior citizens will benefit from the Shah Alam City Council's free parking initiative, launched in conjunction with the city's silver jubilee. Mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said today that the Golden Parking initiative aims to make the city more inclusive to the elderly and serves as a gesture of appreciation for their contribution to the community. The initiative applies only to parking areas under the council's jurisdiction. He said applicants must meet five eligibility criteria for the free parking, including being at least 60 and being an assessment taxpayer under the council's jurisdiction. "The car's grant must be under the name of the senior citizen. Each elderly person can register for only one car via the Smart Selangor Parking system or Flexi Parking. "This can be used during its validity period, which is two years. Applications need to be renewed every two years. "This initiative began this month. MBSA has received positive feedback. A total of 628 applications were submitted, with 499 approved. "The remaining applications were not approved due to outstanding assessment tax, unpaid compounds and traffic fines. "These must be settled before reapplying for the initiative. "Once approved, they can park normally and the authorities will verify their eligibility through the registered vehicle number in the council's records." He said this after the council meeting at Wisma MBSA. However, Fauzi said, the initiative does not apply to five areas: PRIVATE parking spaces; DISABLED parking bays; SPECIAL parking spots; TWO-HOUR parking zones, and, VEHICLES parked on the roadside – not in parking boxes provided under the Road Transport Order (Provision of Parking Places) 2007 . He added that 117,202 users aged 60 and above have paid for parking under the council. "Based on Flexi Parking data, 37,817 senior users have made parking payments in MBSA's jurisdiction." He said the council hopes this will contribute to building a senior-friendly and sustainable community, in line with the goals of Sustainable Development Goal 11: to create inclusive, safe, resilient and age-friendly cities. He added that the application form for the initiative can be downloaded from the MBSA portal at "Completed forms can be submitted to the temporary MBSA counter in May, located at the Discussion Room, LG Floor, Wisma MBSA, Section 14, Shah Alam, between 9am and 4pm on weekdays. Applications can also be emailed to tik@ he said. For enquiries, contact the Revenue Management Section at 03-55133919 (direct line), extensions 1540 or 1521.
