By P. Chandra Sagaran
Delegates from ASEAN countries are now focussed on the town of Ipoh, the host of the 3rd City Windows Series with the theme ” Transforming Smart Green City Solutions Through Blended Finance'” from April 21 to 23 here.
The forum organised by United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Ipoh City Council would see the participation of 150 delegates from 10 ASEAN countries including Indonesia, Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Singapore.
In a press conference prior to the opening of the forum, Perak Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman Sandrea Ng Shy Ching said, “It is a proud moment as it is the first time Malaysia has been chosen to host the event.
“The Smart Green ASEAN Cities (SGAC) is not just a conference but a regional platform for city leaders, practitioners and development partners to come together and exchange solutions to the challenges of urbanisation, sustainability and resilience.
“In Perak we are actively advancing policies that promote smart governance,green development and community based planning.
“Whether it’s traffic systems, public housing, or waste management ,we believe cities must be efficient, inclusive and responsive to change,” she added
Ng also pointed out SGAC 2025 also marks an important collaboration:Ipoh’s engagement with the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Ipoh is one of the ASEAN cities to work with UNCDF to design local financing mechanisms and this partnership is already bearing fruit.
Through UNCDF’s support,Ipoh is in the process of securing a performance-based grant to implement projects such as Unified Enforcement System (UES) a digital platform that improves enforcement, increase compliances and generates sustainable revenue
Ng also stressed that with Malaysia holding the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, SGAC is also a platform to reaffirm Malaysia’s leadership in promoting sustainable urbanisation across the region.
Later Ng who represented Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani in delivering his opening speech said:”the conference should ignite new ideas, forge new partnerships, demonstrate empathy and inspire bold steps forward.
“To our international partners I extend a sincere invitation to collaborate with us, work with our cities, share your expertise and invest in our future”, she added.
Also present were newly appointed Ipoh City Mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah, representatives from ASEAN Secretariat, European Union,UNCDF and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability.