KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 — Asean countries need to work together to address climate change challenges and sustainability issues, said Singapore Water Association Vice President (General Affairs) Charles Quek.
Speaking to Bernama, Quek said that as such issues have become global challenges, governments also need to work together.
“So I think it is important for Asean countries to come together more often to collaborate and co-create solutions to address sustainability challenges in climate change issues, including rising sea levels, floods, extreme weather, food, and access to clean water,” he said on the sidelines of the inaugural Sustainability Environment Asia (SEA) 2023 show here.
Quek, who is also HSL Constructor Pte Ltd chief executive officer, said that with its 650 to 700 million population in Asean, the manner in which its member countries work together to address climate change challenges will be critical to how Asean is going to develop in the next 30 to 50 years.
“I think if we don’t address this matter together, there will be tensions, whether social or political. This can also escalate into many other issues and create international tensions. So Asean should be a good platform, and I think businesses in Asia or in Asean countries must come together,” he said.
On Singapore’s participation in SEA 2023, Quek said 10 companies are here to showcase their expertise and experience in various sectors.
“I’m actually representing the Singapore Water Association, and this is the first time that the Singapore Water Association is managing the Singapore pavilion, and we bring a consortium group of companies, including HSL Constructor, Aquax Pte Ltd, Tigernix Pte Ltd, Pure Active Waterxx Pte Ltd and Novexx Pte Ltd.
These companies, he said, have built up great expertise in sustainability areas to share their experience and expertise in sustainability with the Malaysian and international business community.
“Through this event, we are looking for collaboration with entities such as the Malaysia Water Association, SPAN, and Air Selangor; there were already some exchanges among us… and we will deepen our discussions because there is interest in some of the technologies and the possibility of some adoption in Malaysia as well,” he said.
Apart from showcasing their expertise, Quek said they also organised a Singapore Business Forum to explore business-to-business matchmaking and business partnerships.
Quek said the SEA 2023 event is a great platform for business communities to move from competition to cooperation to collaboration as well as co-creation of solutions for the betterment of humanity.
SEA 2023 is taking place from Nov 22 to 24 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and is co-located with E-Mobility Asia.
— Bernama
