Lee (left) engaging with United Nations Environment Development Programme head Miriam Hinostroza (centre) and Asia-Pacific regional lead Akiko Yamamoto at APCW 2023. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
Asia-Pacific Climate Week 2023 (APCW 2023), which was hosted by Johor for the first time, has ended but the conversation on climate action must go on, says state investment, trade and consumer affairs committee chairman Lee Ting Han.
He said more than 3,800 people from 108 countries took part in over 200 sessions at the event held from Nov 13 to 17.
“More than 300 speakers engaged in discussions concerning indigenous communities, climate financing, carbon credit, carbon market and other environmental problems.
“We hope that APCW 2023 will not be the end of such conversations.
“The ball should be kept rolling as some 40% of the participants are Malaysians.
“When they go back to their respective organisations and agencies, we hope they can bring new opinions and knowledge picked up at the conference to address climate change.”
Lee was speaking to the media after the closing ceremony of the conference at Persada Johor International Convention Centre.
He also said that APCW 2023 held a special significance for Johor as it provided the state with a powerful platform to establish itself as a leading force in the fight against environmental degradation.
He highlighted one of the state government’s endeavours – the Johor Green Deal.
This is a comprehensive framework that outlines the state’s approach to achieving environmental sustainability.
Asked how the state would ensure that the topic of climate change is discussed not only by top-level government officials, Lee said the local government and related agencies would engage with stakeholders and the public according to the five pillars of the Johor Green Deal.
The five pillars are energy; transport and mobility; land use, nature and water; low carbon cities; and industry, Lee elaborated.
