The GreenCity Investment Forum 2024 (GCIF2024) united experts and investors to transform intermediary cities into eco-friendly, climate-resilient hubs. Hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT), the forum emphasized the GreenCity Action Plans (GCAPs), promoting bottom-up projects and capacity building.
I was honored to be invited to the #GreenCity Investment Forum #GCIF2024, a high-level gathering held at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. Initiated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT), this forum focused on the #GreenCity Action Plans (#GCAPs) framework, serving as a hashtag#roadmap for transforming intermediary cities into eco-friendly, climate-resilient hubs through #empowerment (bottom-up projects) and capacity building.
Strategically positioned at the crossroads of #Indonesia 🇮🇩, #Malaysia 🇲🇾, and #Thailand 🇹🇭, this regional initiative involves potential public-private-people partnerships (#PPPP) and aims to economically integrate the concerned region. Accordingly, a business council has been established to foster collaboration in this region, which also shares a similar language (Bahasa).
Key sessions included unveiling investment opportunities in Malaysian cities, discussions on sustainable finance, and integrating blue economy principles (#SDG14) into green city agendas, as well as #smart innovations and carbon pricing. The closing declaration announces a shared commitment to advancing urban sustainability goals in #Malaysia 🇲🇾.
One of my key #takeaways from the forum is the challenge of multi-level #governance, especially the limited #autonomy at the local level in #Southeastasia 🌏 where the government structure tends to be more administrative than political. The new mayor of #KualaLumpur, Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif, who urged to “walk the talk,” highlighted that building clean cities also involves striving for “clean” #governance. Could often-discussed integrated policies be part of the next update of the #GCAPs (2.0), considering the comprehensive framework of the #SDGs and potential #smartcity solutions?
For my #consultancy work, this event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with key stakeholders and gain valuable insights into #sustainability-focused urban initiatives in the region, which align perfectly with my #consultancy areas. To wrap things up on a bright note, I had the pleasure of joining an unexpected picture 📸 with Kiyau Loo Lee, Director of Special Programme at #EXPOMAL International, who was in charge of this 2-day organisation!
