Cities: Possibilities 2025 – Malaysia

8:00 | Registration

9:00 | Welcome remarks by Eco-Business

Speaker

   Meaghan See
   Chief Commercial Officer, Eco-Business
   

9:15 | Opening address by Guest-of-Honour

Speaker

  
   Y.B. Tuan Nga Kor Ming
   Minister of Housing and Local Government of Malaysia

9:30 | Morning tea break

10:00 | Opening plenary – Unleashing smart and mobile cities

Mobility is integral to smart and sustainable city networks, holding the key to address major issues such as traffic congestion, air pollution and resource inefficiency.    

With 90 million people expected to move to cities in the Asean region alone between 2018 and 2030, including major cities like Kuala Lumpur, sustainable mobility needs to be front and centre of urban development strategy.  

From EV-powered transport and on-demand buses to harnessing data analytics, local governments and industry are envisioning new ways for people to access and move about in cities.  

The challenge will be ensuring smart city development and mobility are intricately linked rather than pursued in isolation, while contending with legacy issues – infrastructure built around car mobility – and varying resource capacity across local councils.    

This plenary session convenes leaders working in the intersection between smart and mobile cities to tackle the questions: How do we leverage data and technology to rethink mobility in cities? And what integrated planning frameworks are needed to ensure new developments are connected, integrated and accessible?  

Speakers

   
   Y.B. Tuan Rajiv Rishyakaran
   ADUN, Bukit Gasing

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   Benjamin Soh
   Founder and Managing Director, ESGpedia

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   TPr. Ts. Norliza Binti Hashim
   Chief Executive Officer, Urbanice Malaysia

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   Ashok Panchalingam
   Head of Business, Prasarana Integrated Development Sdn Bhd (PRIDE), Prasarana Malaysia

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Moderator

   Meaghan See
   Chief Commercial Officer, Eco-Business

11:00 | Plenary 2 – Post-carbon cities: From energy to nature and water

Building sustainable cities demands a fundamental rethinking on how we consume energy, manage water and integrate nature into the urban environment.    

While decarbonising the built environment is integral to the low-carbon transition, post-carbon cities require looking beyond energy to include urban water security and nature-based solutions.  

City planners, property developers and tech firms are increasingly focusing on the intersection between energy, water and nature in urban development to unlock resilient and liveable cities.    

The challenge is building policy, finance and partnerships around this intersection, especially in the face of competing development priorities.  

This plenary convenes key stakeholders in urban development to tackle the questions: How do we accelerate the shift to renewable energy while simultaneously future-proofing urban water systems? How do we integrate nature within urban spaces through green design and policy? And how do we leverage the synergies between energy, water and nature for sustainable urban development?

Speakers

   Ar. (Dr.) Serina Elizabeth Bt Hijjas
   Principal Director, Hijjas Kasturi Associates and President, Malaysia Green Building Council

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   Sharifah Bakar Ali
   Head of ESG, UEM Edgenta Berhad

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   Dr. Pieter E. Stek
   Senior Lecturer, Asia School of Business (ASB)

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Moderator

   TPr. Amelia Neoh Siew Yin
   Local Project Officer, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

11:55 | Special presentation: Future ready cities for people, planet, prosperity and peace

Cities sit at the heart of ASEAN’s economic future, yet they are also the region’s frontlines for climate risk, ageing populations, digital disruption and widening inequality. With almost 70 per cent of ASEAN’s population expected to live in urban areas by 2050, the way we plan, finance and govern our cities will determine whether the region remains competitive, investable and resilient.

Urban transformation today demands more than infrastructure upgrades. It requires building cities where people can thrive across their life cycle, where climate and nature are treated as economic assets, and where digital and AI tools enhance, not erode trust and inclusion.

At the same time, industry seeks predictable governance, investable pipelines and talent ecosystems able to power green, digital and visitor-economy transitions.

This special presentation outlines how UNDP facilitates governments and industry to shape cities that deliver People-centred services, planet-positive growth, shared prosperity and social peace, with finance, digital systems and responsible AI as critical enablers. The challenge ahead is ensuring these dimensions advance together rather than in silos while addressing entrenched gaps such as care burdens, housing stress, climate vulnerability and institutional fragility.

This keynote brings together the latest regional insights to answer two strategic questions for ASEAN’s future: How do we build cities that are inclusive, nature-positive and economically competitive? And what partnerships, technologies and financing models are needed to make them investable, human-centred and future-ready?

Speaker

   Edward Vrkić
   Resident Representative, UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam

12:30 | Networking lunch

13:30 | Plenary debate – This house believes that eco-tourism is integral to sustainable growth

Eco-tourism has the potential to channel critical resources into the preservation of natural assets, directly linking economic growth to environmental conservation.  

Malaysia is expected to welcome 35.6 million international tourists in 2026 with a projected spend of RM147 billion, underpinned by nature-based tourism – from islands and beaches to ecological and green sites.  

This “commodification” of nature, though helping to reduce reliance on governmental funds, comes with high risks.    

Increased tourism is linked to higher travel emissions while concentrating funds towards select ecological sites, potentially detracting attention away from other at-risk sites. The influx of tourist visitors can further inflate living costs and displace local communities if the latter are not involved in decision-making processes.    

Is eco-tourism a genuine vehicle for sustainable development, or does it merely commodify nature at the expense of environmental integrity and local communities? Do the economic benefits outweigh its environmental and social risks?  

Leading experts working in this space dissect this dichotomy to explore how to position eco-tourism within sustainable development – across both urban and rural areas.  

Speakers

   
   Norhafiza Shafie
  Manager (Inclusive and Sustainable Economy Management), Governance and Local Development Division,
   UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam

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   Mariam Ghani
   Senior Programme Manager, The Habitat Foundation

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Moderator

   Nigel Wong
   President, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA)

14:15 | Plenary 3 – AI, tech and the quest for urban sustainability

Artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation offer unprecedented opportunities to accelerate sustainable urban development, from optimising energy grids and strengthening decision-making through data.    

AI forms a salient component of Malaysia’s AI City Initiative where the government will work closely with local councils and tech firms to integrate AI-enabled tools into urban systems.    

This rapid integration is not without its risks.  

Electricity demand from data centres in Malaysia is projected to reach 20.9 gigawatts by 2040 to support AI demand, while an an overreliance on automated systems risks diminishing essential human intelligence and oversight in urban governance.  

This plenary convenes leaders working in the intersection of tech and urban sustainability to tackle critical questions: How can we harness AI and technology to enhance urban sustainability while mitigating their environmental and social costs? And how do we create regulatory frameworks that ensure equitable access to these benefits?

Speakers

   Masaaki Hamada
   Managing Director, Asuene APAC

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   Dr. Sumitra Nair
   CEO - Futurex Solutions and Adjunct Professor of Industry - Asia Pacific University

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   Dr. Khairul Hafiz Sharkawi
   Head of Research and Product Development, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC)

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Moderator

   Kavin Raj
   ESG Intelligence Regional Lead, Eco-Business

15:10 | Afternoon tea break

15:25 | From Tech to Impact: Platforms Powering Resourceful Cities and Resilient Communities

Digital platforms are reshaping how cities grow, connect, and respond to change. Across Malaysia and the region, technology is unlocking new pathways for local entrepreneurship and more inclusive development.

This fireside conversation explores how technology can evolve from being seen as disruptive to becoming a collaborative force for building resilient, resourceful communities. It will highlight examples of how digital platforms have empowered residents to generate income close to home, revitalize underused urban and rural spaces, protect and preserve cultural heritage, and even mobilise emergency housing and support in times of crisis.

The discussion will also examine how these innovations can complement Malaysia’s priorities under ASEAN 2045 and advance its national framework for short-term accommodation.

At its core, the session asks: how do we collaborate and work together to distribute benefits, build trust, and strengthen the social fabric of cities? And what partnerships between government, industry, and communities are needed to ensure that technology helps cities become more livable

Speaker

   Mich Goh
   Director of Public Policy, Asia Pacific, Airbnb

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Moderator

   Arifah Sharifuddin
   Institute Director, Tech For Good Institute

15:45 | Beyond mega cities and towards a polycentric nation by Think City

Greater Kuala Lumpur is home to 30 per cent of Malaysia’s population and contributes nearly 40 per cent of its national economic output, solidifying its position as a global city and thriving hub for finance commerce.    

This concentration of growth, however, has led to the neglect of outlying regions and smaller towns, creating disparities and, in certain cases, placing strain on the city's own inhabitants. Large-scale developments also risk creating unhealthy competition rather than complementary growth.  

While having a robust capital is vital, there is an urgent need for a new framework to guide the nation's urban development. Hence the call for a polycentric nation – a network of smaller rural townships, medium-sized and large cities that are compact, resilient and well-connected through efficient transport systems.  

Within this model, economic activity will build on inherent strengths with neighbouring townships and cultural assets will be defended. Crucially, revival plans will be inclusive, drawing upon the knowledge, skills and values of longstanding residents.  

This session will examine the challenges of Malaysia's present urban trajectory, explore the advantages of a polycentric model and put forward actionable strategies to reconfigure the country's urban landscape for a balanced future.

Speakers

   Dr. Matt Benson
   Senior Director, Think City

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   Dr. Neil Khor
   Advisor to the President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly

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Moderator

   Zairin Adam Abdul Aziz
   Senior Associate, Think City

16:25 | Closing plenary – Unlocking finance for adaptive and resilient cities

Regional cities face mounting threats from flooding, heatwaves and sea-level rise, demanding urgent intervention.  

While local governments are integral to the response – sitting at the forefront of these climate risks with a keen understanding of local needs – their spending on adaptation is critically behind demand.    

In Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, local government expenditure falls well below the OECD average of 39.5 per cent, indicating an overreliance on national coffers.  

This traditional funding model is failing to keep pace with climate demands on urban infrastructure. New, innovative financial strategies are now essential to sustain investments in urban adaptation.  

This plenary convenes key stakeholders in Malaysia’s urban adaptation space to tackle critical questions: How can city governments utilise innovative financial mechanisms to derisk and scale investments? How do we build supportive policy and partnerships for resilience? And what role should investors and property managers play in reducing risks to the built environment?

Speakers

   Y.B. Tuan Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad
   Member of Parliament, Setiawangsa

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   Joel Khaw
   Head, Group Sustainability Strategic Management & Governance, RHB Bank

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   Diyana Mohd Amin
   Senior Vice President (Head) of Sustainability & ESG, Iskandar Investment

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Moderator

   Edmund Lau Chai Ming
   Head of the Sarawak Programme, UNDP Malaysia

17:20 | Closing keynote address

Speaker

   H.E. Jacques Werner
   Ambassador, Kingdom of the Netherlands to Malaysia

17:30 | Networking