Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must consolidate partnerships on climate action across all sectors to promote sustainable development growth amidst complicated geopolitical landscapes across the globe, according to a Malaysian official.
In a pre-recoded keynote address at the Financing Asia’s Transition Conference on May 7, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stressed that unified actions across ASEAN are necessary following the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its tariff plans that could affect climate change response efforts.
No country can face the climate crisis alone but together ASEAN can lead, he stressed, given the bloc’s abundant natural resources, growing markets and young population. ASEAN member states must build on their common strengths and enhance partnerships across governments, businesses, civil society, and academia.
Malaysia stands ready to cooperate and share experience in the environmental sector, he said, reiterating the country’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Malaysia, he said, views the green transition as an economic stimulus, particularly in areas such as energy efficiency, solar photovoltaic panels and electric vehicle manufacturing, green hydrogen, and nature-based solutions.
According to the Asian Development Bank, ASEAN will require an estimated 210 billion USD annually until 2030 to support climate-aligned infrastructure./.
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At the 46th ASEAN Summit to be hosted by Malaysia, ASEAN-BAC will present the PEDs along with several other reports to regional leaders.
