NEW YORK, September 25 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on developed countries to fulfill their commitment to provide US$100 billion annually to support developing nations’ climate aspirations, while recognizing that trillions of dollars per year will be needed in the future. He said scientists have confirmed that the world has just experienced the hottest summer in history. We have just heard the Secretary-General seriously declare that ‘climate damage has begun.’
Moreover, Malaysia is witnessing an increase in the adverse effects of climate change, with rising temperatures, rising sea levels, worsening monsoons, and unpredictable weather patterns threatening lives and degrading local ecosystems. Therefore, we cannot afford to waste time, he said in the Malaysian National Statement at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) General Debate here today. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said Malaysia plays its part by developing low-carbon and renewable energy transition plans to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies.
The newly launched National Energy Transition Roadmap should help us achieve our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), in addition to guiding us towards our net-zero aspirations,” Anwar said. He emphasized that discussions on climate aspirations without equity, justice, and resources to help and empower countries to take greater climate action are futile. As part of each country’s responsibility toward global climate goals, Malaysia has revamped its NDC to reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 45 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
Efforts toward achieving the NDC have been incorporated into the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and the National Energy Policy 2022-2040 (NEP 2020). This marks Anwar’s first appearance as Prime Minister at this annual gathering. The theme of this year’s 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.”
During his official visit to join world leaders at the 78th General Assembly, Anwar was accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir; Interior Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail; Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa; as well as several Members of Parliament and government officials.
