The Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit 2025, spearheaded by the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation, is making waves as a pivotal event for climate action in the ASEAN region. Launched by Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Malaysia’s Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, the summit gathers leaders from government, academia, and industry to forge pathways for sustainable development.
The summit, co-organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability and the Ministry of Economy, features high-level policy addresses reinforcing Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable growth. Deputy Minister of Economy, Dato Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib, emphasised the integration of sustainable development into national policies, whilst Secretary General Ching Thoo al Kim highlighted the need for public-private collaboration to build climate resilience.
Day one spotlighted global collaboration, with UN Special Adviser Selwin Charles Hart stressing shared responsibility in climate resilience. Maybank Foundation’s CEO, Izlyn Ramli, showcased partnerships driving inclusive green growth. The second day focused on translating ambition into action, with Bloomberg Intelligence’s Eric Kane leading discussions on cross-sector collaboration.
A significant outcome was the unveiling of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Climate Resilience, a national call to action uniting various sectors in climate adaptation efforts. The summit concludes with a message from Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, urging immediate climate action and positioning Malaysia as a leader in regional decarbonisation.
