MALAYSIA has proposed its international development architecture be further strengthened to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda), which began in 2015.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, in Malaysia’s statement at the high-level dialogue on global development, said there are many developing countries that have programmes and agencies with wide experience in development.

“As an example, China has the China International Development Co-operation Agency (CIDCA), while the Malaysian technical co-operation programme (MTCP) was established more than four decades ago to benefit more than 34,000 participants from 140 countries.

“The programmes and agencies need to assist other developing countries based on the concept of trilateral co-operation,” he said last night at the international dialogue.

The prime minister also proposed the international community strengthen the multilateral system including funds channelled to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to achieve sustainable development objectives.

He said the focus of these bodies must be according to the needs of developing countries and not the agenda of the contributing countries.

Through the third proposal in the dialogue, Ismail suggested that developed countries fulfil their commitment to address environmental crises and climate change.

“Efforts need to be intensified in meeting interrelated challenges through innovative improvements and financing, technology sharing and capacity building that support the transition towards a greener global economy,” he said.

He cited the example of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, which are among the richest countries in the world, allocate only 0.33% cent of their gross domestic product as Official Development Assistance (ODA) based on a report on April 12 last year.

According to the prime minister, developed countries have not yet reached the US$100 billion (RM442 billion) a year commitment for climate financing, so Malaysia urged these commitments to be achieved immediately as the world is far different from when the 2030 Agenda was approved seven years ago.

In the three-hour dialogue, which began at 7.45pm, the prime minister also said that Malaysia remained committed to driving progress in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) as found in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

Ismail said phase two of the national sustainable development roadmap (2021-2025) is being drafted to identify priority areas, besides implementing the SDGs at local level.

“This is an innovative model that brings together MPs and local stakeholders to work together to find solutions to challenges,” he said.

Ismail said Malaysia intends to promote more investments based on sustainable development by increasing access to green financing and the creation of 12 new markets.

“However, Malaysia cannot make this effort alone. The countries involved in this summit have their own advantages. Therefore, it is very important for us to work together in achieving the 2030 Agenda,” he said.

According to Ismail, Malaysia expressed its continued support for efforts to drive global development toward a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable world. – Bernama, June 25, 2022.