NGA SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH UN-HABITAT TO PROMOTEGREEN SPACES, BUILD MORE PARKS IN MALAYSIA

Putrajaya (November 8, 2024): Housing and Local Government Minister
Nga Kor Ming has called for collaboration with the United Nations Human
Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to promote green spaces and
develop more public parks across Malaysia.

This follows a bilateral meeting with UN-Habitat Executive Director
Anacláudia Rossbach during the 12th World Urban Forum, held in Cairo,
Egypt, from November 4 to November 8.

Nga highlighted Malaysia’s commitment to building and upgrading 100
public parks annually over the next decade, aiming to complete 1,000
new or upgraded parks by 2034.

He stressed the urgent need for green public spaces, particularly in
fast-paced urban areas, to provide residents with essential mental health
benefits and improve overall well-being.

While Malaysia is committed to funding these initiatives, Nga suggested
that UN-Habitat establish standardised guidelines to create a global
benchmark for recognising and endorsing high-quality green spaces.

This could include the introduction of certification or awards to highlight
these spaces, ensuring their global recognition as well as quality
preservation.

In the 2025 Budget, the ministry received an allocation of RM100 million
to develop or upgrade 100 Madani recreational parks.

Also present at the bilateral meeting were Director General of
PLANMalaysia Datuk TPr Alias bin Rameli, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk
Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, and Chief Executive Director of Urbanice
Norliza binti Hashim.