By Aufa Mardhiah | The Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia is urging ASEAN member states to take a stronger, more unified stance on climate action as it assumes the regional bloc’s chairmanship this year.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Malaysia is committed to leading ASEAN’s sustainability agenda, particularly through the Guidelines for Implementing ASEAN Sustainable Initiatives (GPPIAL).
With the theme “ASEAN One Voice: Accelerating Climate Action for Shared Protection, Partnership, and Needs”, Nik Nazmi emphasised the importance of collective action in ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
He stressed that climate change is not just an environmental issue but also closely linked to security, economic stability and regional wellbeing.
“As a community, ASEAN must speak out more firmly and assertively on the international stage.
“We must ensure that our region’s interests receive the attention they deserve in global negotiations while also strengthening regional cooperation through sustainable initiatives,” he said at the Majlis Balai Raya NRES at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) today.
Malaysia will host two major ASEAN environmental meetings this year, namely the 36th ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment Meeting (ASOEN) from July 28 to Aug 1 and the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Environment (AMME) from Sept 1 to 5, both to be held in Langkawi, Kedah.
ASOEN, one of ASEAN’s primary environmental cooperation platforms, focuses on tackling transboundary challenges such as haze pollution, coastal erosion and marine plastic waste.
Nik Nazmi further highlighted the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution, which facilitates cross-border cooperation in managing haze caused by forest fires.
Meanwhile, AMME, held biennially, serves as a platform for ASEAN environment ministers to finalise regional policies and programmes based on ASOEN’s recommendations.
Concurrently, Nik Nazmi said Malaysia is working towards securing a formal ASEAN climate declaration during its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship, but the effort faces hurdles due to ASEAN’s consensus-based decision-making process.
“We will update soon once there is progress on the matter. The goal is to have the document signed while Malaysia is chairing ASEAN. That is what we are working towards,” he said.
He also acknowledged that achieving consensus among all member states remains a stumbling block.
“There are some differing viewpoints, as expected, but at the working level, discussions have been very positive. We are now moving to the next stage, and so far, it looks promising,” he added.
Source: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2025/02/05/malaysia-calls-for-stronger-asean-climate-action/
