WITH just five years left to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Malaysia is intensifying efforts to accelerate inclusive and sustainable progress.
At the inaugural Yayasan MySDG Impact Conference 2025, held today in Petaling Jaya, leaders from the government, private sector, academia, philanthropy and civil society came together to strengthen partnerships and drive collective action towards the SDGs.
Malaysia currently outperforms the global average, with 43 per cent of its 248 indicators projected to be achieved by 2030, compared with 17 per cent globally.
Themed “The Final Sprint: Accelerating Inclusive SDG Action in Malaysia”, the conference focused on bridging remaining gaps in healthcare, education, social protection and environmental resilience.
The event was graced by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, who delivered the royal address as the guest of honour.
“Our nation’s progress must be measured not by the wealth of a few, but by the well-being of all,” said Her Majesty. “Only when everyone living in Malaysia has the means to live with dignity can we claim to have truly prospered.”
Yayasan MySDG chairman Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar reaffirmed the foundation’s mission to promote a whole-of-nation approach in achieving the SDGs.
“The SDGs are not merely global ambitions, they are Malaysia’s blueprint for a fairer, more resilient future. This conference is a call to action to move faster, work smarter and ensure that every Malaysian shares in the nation’s progress,” he said.
The conference featured global sustainability experts, including Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, president of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, executive director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health.
Professor Sachs commended Malaysia’s leadership in aligning sustainability with equity, while Jemilah underscored the need for a “planetary health” approach that integrates environmental protection with social well-being.
“People should have the ability to lead decent lives, supported by the remarkable technologies that enable a world of eight billion people to be free of poverty,” said Sachs.
Exhibitions held alongside the conference showcased projects supported by the Malaysia–UN SDG Trust Fund and the MySDG Grants Programme. These included initiatives providing clean water access to rural communities in Kelantan, sustainable poultry farming for the Jakun and Semelai Orang Asli in Pahang, and skills training for women in underserved communities.
Projects by the Malaysian Red Crescent and the International Labour Organisation were also featured, focusing on improving healthcare access and expanding employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in the open labour market.
The conference was supported by Mah Sing Group Berhad and Telekom Malaysia Berhad, recognised for their contributions to green innovation and digital inclusion. Other supporting partners included Kenanga Investors Berhad, IM Corporation Berhad, Maybank, Bank Muamalat, AEON Bank Berhad and OSK Foundation.
In a joint message, the foundation’s chairman and chief executive officer said the conference marked a significant milestone in uniting all sectors towards the 2030 goals.
“We stand at a critical juncture, one where innovation, compassion and collaboration must converge. Together, we can forge pathways that empower people, protect our planet and sustain progress for generations to come,” they said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
