Malaysian Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, delivered a national statement at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) on February 29, 2024, highlighting Malaysia’s dedication to addressing global environmental challenges.
Nik Nazmi emphasised Malaysia’s implementation of policies and initiatives aligned with its national development agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. He reiterated Malaysia’s commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other Multilateral Environment Agreements.
During the 28th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (UNFCCC COP28) in Dubai, UAE, Malaysia reaffirmed its firm commitments on climate change, emphasising the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Nik Nazmi outlined Malaysia’s intentions to reduce economy-wide carbon intensity by 45% in 2030 compared to 2005 levels, as stated in its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement.
Additionally, Malaysia aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 under the National Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy.
Nik Nazmi addressed Malaysia’s vulnerability to climate change impacts such as flooding, coastal erosion, and droughts, highlighting the development of a National Adaptation Plan (MyNAP) funded by the Global Climate Fund under the UNFCCC.
Furthermore, Malaysia has been actively supporting the global biodiversity agenda by incorporating the spirit of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into its National Policy on Biological Diversity. Strengthening biodiversity conservation efforts, Malaysia has enforced the Wildlife Conservation Act (Amendment) 2022 and passed the National Forestry Act (Amendment) 2022.
Nik Nazmi emphasised the importance of addressing plastic pollution, urging member states to support the development of an internationally legally binding instrument on plastic pollution as per UNEA Resolution 5/14.
“Malaysia expresses its sincere hope that all Member States will collectively find a way to ensure that UNEA-6 yields outcomes which we can all be proud of. I look forward to our continued collaboration and effective multilateralism to ensure the well-being of our planet and that of our future generations.” he added, emphasising the importance of collaboration and effective multilateralism in ensuring the well-being of the planet and future generations.
