COP28: MALAYSIA HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN WASTE MANAGEMENT

Malaysia expressed the importance of transitioning from a linear to a circular economy in waste management during the Urbanisation and Climate Change Ministerial Meeting at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28).

Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming, who co-chaired the meeting, said the establishment of Malaysia's National Circular Economy Council will oversee the implementation and progress of this emerging economic sector.

"Malaysia has actively implemented high impact initiatives to reduce the amount of solid waste, such as the Drive Through Recycling Centres where the public could trade trash for cash incentives.

"Waste-to-energy technology is also a viable solution for Malaysia to reduce solid waste," he said.

According to Nga, poor mobilisation and lack of transparency in climate financing impede developing nations from achieving mitigation and adaptation initiatives.

"This is a global problem which needs a global commitment to immediately hammer out a transition plan to use renewable energy and help fund vulnerable nations.

"Malaysia reiterates the importance of the transparent and immediate mobilisation of the loss and damage fund to fully empower vulnerable cities and local governments to be at the forefront (of fighting) this climate crisis," he added.