During my three-month exploration of Malaysia, I engaged with key urban players, shared insights on smart cities, and forged impactful connections. From national congresses to global forums, I laid the groundwork for transformative collaborations. As the year concludes, I’m grateful for the support received and look forward to an exciting 2024.
I have just wrapped up a second three-month trip to #Malaysia 🇲🇾🌴, which was an enriching journey. I explored the cities of #Kuching, #Malacca, #JohorBarhu and #Penang, and learned more about the country and its regions, its people and its cultures. It was also the Hindu #deepavali festival 🎇, the triumph of light over darkness! This time, I built on the connections I had made during my previous visit and focused mainly on actions and #visibility.
I was privileged to be a speaker on #smartcity at the national congress of Malaysian planners, to be a member of an international jury at the #UN-level, and to be interviewed twice by the Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) on my vision of smart and sustainable cities.
I attended various events on technology and demand – such as WCIT | IDECS 2023, World Congress On Innovation & Technology, International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia, SMART MELAKA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, Malaysia Urban Forum, National Planning Congress of Malaysia, Asia Pacific Climate week, and E-Mobility Asia (EMA) – and made new contacts, especially with senior urban planners, state-level representatives, and several mayors.
Thanks to my academic network in #Malaysia, I was invited to attend an insightful seminar on #airquality at the facilities of the national public urban transportation operator. Besides, I had the opportunity to discuss modal shift policies with them. In the realm of #smartmobility, I could connect with a start-up specialising in #multimodality, which is quite unique in #Malaysia.
As a European expert 🇪🇺 in my field, I met British 🇬🇧, German 🇩🇪 and Spanish 🇪🇸 potential partners but most importantly, federal agencies’ experts 🇲🇾, at the highest levels such as vice presidents. I also had the opportunity to have an in-depth exchange with higher-level regional and global actors: the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia, the ERIA: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia , the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and the United Nations ESCAP representatives.
Mission accomplished 🎯. I now have a comprehensive #vision of the Malaysian context and a deep knowledge of the key players and their interactions (or lack thereof), not only in #kualalumpur but also in the regions where I met many great new contacts, which have opened up potential missions for 2024. After #exploration and #development phases, next year will be my “moment of truth” time.
Thank you for your support and kindness this year 🙏. Season’s greetings and best wishes for the new year 🍀! Selamat tahun baru 🇲🇾 !
