NEW YORK, Sept 22 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged developed countries to fulfil their commitment of mobilising US$100 billion (RM468.7 billion) a year to support the climate ambition endeavours of developing countries, while recognising that trillions of dollars per annum will be needed in the near future.
Scientists have confirmed the world has just experienced its hottest summer in history.
“We have heard the Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) gravely declare that ‘climate breakdown has begun’.
“Even Malaysia is seeing an increase in the adverse impacts of climate change, with increasing temperature, rising sea levels, intensified monsoons and erratic weather patterns disrupting livelihoods and degrading local ecosystems. As such, we have not a moment to lose,” he said in his National Statement at the General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said Malaysia is doing its part by developing low-carbon and renewable energy roadmaps to implement mitigating and adaptation strategies.
“The newly launched National Energy Transition Roadmap should aid us in achieving our NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), as well as lighting the path towards our net zero aspirations,” he said.
Anwar stressed that discussions on climate ambition in the absence of equity, justice and the necessary means to assist and empower countries to undertake greater climate action is an exercise in futility.
As part of the responsibilities of each nation towards overall global climate targets, Malaysia has revised its NDC to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45 per cent, by 2030 compared with 2005 levels.
Efforts towards achieving the NDCs have been incorporated into the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and the National Energy Policy 2022 – 2040 (NEP 2040).
This is Anwar’s first appearance as prime minister at the annual gathering.
This year’s theme for the General Debate is Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability For All.
The session was chaired by the Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations Datuk Ahmad Faisal Muhamad.
Also present at the United Nations were his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa, as well as several MPs and government officials.
— Bernama
