Malaysia Pushes Sustainable Urban Agenda in ASEAN-China Cooperation

Malaysia is championing the agenda of sustainable urban development, quality housing, and inclusive communities as priorities for ASEAN-China cooperation in 2026. This focus will be central to the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Housing and Urbanization (ACMROCH).

Minister of Housing and Local Government, Nga Kor Ming, stated that the conference serves as a crucial platform for regional countries to align their strategies in tackling the challenges posed by rapid urbanization. He noted that over 57 percent of the global population now resides in urban areas, with Asia's urbanization rate exceeding 54 percent. China's rate stands at 67 percent, while Malaysia's is at 78 percent, highlighting the urgent need for more sustainable urban planning.

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The demographic shift also puts pressure on infrastructure, housing stock, and energy systems. The need to create sustainable cities, affordable housing, and development resilient to climate change are current challenges.

"This demographic shift also puts pressure on infrastructure, housing stock, and energy systems," Nga said. "The need to create sustainable cities, affordable housing, and development resilient to climate change are current challenges." He made these remarks while officiating the ACMROCH 2026 conference in Ipoh, which gathered approximately 300 participants from 11 ASEAN member states and China.

Themed "Sustainable Cities, Quality Housing, United Communities," the conference aims to strengthen strategic cooperation in housing and urban development. Nga emphasized that a nation's strength is measured not just by physical progress but by its ability to provide safe housing, ample opportunities, and prosperous communities. Key priorities include accelerating energy-efficient and climate-responsive housing, promoting value-based housing, fostering inclusive urban growth, enhancing urban services and sustainable infrastructure, and building stronger communities through safe and inclusive neighborhoods.

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The strength of a country is not only measured by physical progress or skyscrapers, but by the ability to provide safe housing, wider opportunities, and a prosperous community.