Strategic Partnership formed between state govt & UN-Habitat to achieve SDG

Admin

THE Penang state government through the Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) and George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC) had formed a strategic partnership with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to advocate as well as to promote the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the latter.

 

Speaking at a press conference on Oct 6 which also witnessed the signing of the MoU, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow described the partnership as being in line with the vision and goals he had set for the state of Penang when he launched Penang 2030 in late August.

 

“This MoU is the first of its kind between a Malaysian state government and the UN-Habitat. The latter is one of the main proponents of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015, that Malaysia is committed to fulfilling by 2030,” the chief minister said.

 

“In line with the aspiration of the Penang state government to achieve its Vision 2030 to transform Penang into a ‘Family Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’, both parties have agreed to collaborate as both share the common objectives to improve liveability, upgrading the economy and empowering communities,” he added.

 

According to the press release of CMI, the NUA is a framework that guides efforts around urbanization and development such as local fiscal systems, urban planning and basic services and infrastructure to ensure sustainable development. SDG 11 focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

 

Also present were UN-Habitat executive director Datuk Seri Maimunah Sharif, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, CMI deputy general manager S. Bharathi and representatives from Think City and Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP).

 

“This (effort) is very important to formulate integrated and holistic policies needed to achieve sustainable development goals at state level, the local level as well as the national level, of course. When we work at the urban level, it is vital that we include people, locations and city conditions to ensure that no one and no place is left behind,” Maimunah said.

 

The state government, according to Chow, is providing US$250,000 as initial funding for studies and any other related matters to achieve what’s spelt out in the SDG.

 

Story by Victor Seow
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud