UM's Participation in the Malaysia SDG Summit 2024

The Malaysia SDG Summit 2024, held on September 17-18, 2024, marked a significant step forward in Malaysia’s journey towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Organized by the Ministry of Economy and co-organized by the National SDG Centre, this landmark event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders—including policymakers, business leaders, civil society organizations, and youth activists—to collaborate, share insights, and advance efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 

The Summit was organized around five key pillars, each addressing different aspects of sustainable development:

People: This pillar focused on human well-being and social equity, discussing SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Health and Well-Being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The sessions explored strategies to eradicate poverty, ensure food security, improve health outcomes, promote inclusive education, and advance gender equality.

Planet: Dedicated to environmental sustainability, this pillar covered SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Discussions emphasized the need for effective water resource management, sustainable consumption practices, climate action, and the conservation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Prosperity: This pillar addressed economic growth and infrastructure development through SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Key topics included promoting sustainable energy, fostering inclusive economic growth, and building resilient infrastructure.

Peace: Focused on governance and justice, this pillar concentrated on SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The discussions aimed to enhance peaceful and inclusive societies, ensure access to justice, and build effective and accountable institutions.

Partnerships: Highlighting the role of collaboration, this pillar addressed SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), emphasizing the need for revitalizing global partnerships to achieve sustainable development.
 

A major highlight of the Summit was the extensive exhibition showcase, featuring 17 SDG booths, including a dedicated Ministry of Economy booth and 30 booths from NGOs and non-profit organizations. These exhibitions provided valuable insights into innovative projects and successful initiatives in SDG implementation. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with these exhibits, gaining inspiration from best practices and exploring potential collaborations.
 

The Summit also included a diverse array of sessions, such as plenaries, workshops, and interactive side events. Topics covered ranged from poverty and governance to energy transition and community engagement. The interactive side events included cultural performances and dialogue sessions, which further enriched the discussions and provided a platform for engaging with local communities.

Key takeaways from the summit included the importance of localizing SDG initiatives to ensure they are relevant and impactful, the need for an integrated approach across all SDGs, and the critical role of governance and effective institutions. The event also highlighted the value of partnerships and collaborative efforts, the necessity of addressing socio-economic disparities, enhancing climate resilience, and exploring innovative financing solutions.

Overall, the Malaysia SDG Summit 2024 reaffirmed the nation's commitment to the SDGs and provided a dynamic platform for exploring local actions, sharing best practices, and strengthening partnerships. With a focus on inclusivity, resilience, and actionable outcomes, the summit set the stage for continued progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future for Malaysia.

We are delighted to note that three esteemed Universiti Malaya members contributed to the Summit as distinguished panelists and exhibitor:

Plenary 2 (Peace) – Governance
Topic: Governance for Development - Access to Justice for All 
Panelist: Datuk Dr. Anis Yusal Yusoff (Executive Director, International Institute of Public Policy & Management - INPUMA).

Plenary 3 (Prosperity) – Livability
Topic: Uplifting and Addressing Socio-Economic Disparities and Livelihood of Urban Dwellers
Panelist: Ms. Esther Ezhil Nanggai (Recipient of the Women’s National Prime Minister’s Youth Award 2024 & a first year student from the Department of International and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences). 

SDG Summit Exhibition:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Rosazlin Abdullah (Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science) as invited expert (exhibitor) at the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) - Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)'s Booth for her community farming project. 
 

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zeeda Fatimah Mohamad (UMSDC Director), Prof. Dr. Nik Meriam Nik Sulaiman (SDSN UM Chapter & SDSN Malaysia Leadership Council Member), Mr. Mohd Fadhli Rahmat Fakri (Research Officer) and Mr. Tew Jia Yu (Intern) participated in the Summit representing UM Sustainable Development Centre (UMSDC). 

This writeup is prepared by Tew Jia Yu, UMSDC Intern.

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