Welcoming remarks by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, NRECC Minister at Malaysia Pavilion COP28 Launch in Dubai

Good afternoon and Salam Sejahtera to all.

I want to welcome you all to an important event in catalysing the agenda to promote sustainable energy, green technologies and practices. I wish to thank our UAE hosts for their warm hospitality.

We are also deeply honoured that Seri Paduka Baginda, The Yang diPertuan Agong and Seri Paduka Baginda, The Raja Permaisuri Agong have graced us with their presence today. His Majesty has been a tireless advocate for conservation. Thank you, Tuanku for your passion and for helping to bring sustainability to the mainstream of our national life.

I must also congratulate the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change (NRECC) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) on their hard work in putting together the Malaysia Pavilion.

THE MALAYSIA PAVILION

The Malaysia Pavilion vibrantly showcases our nation’s climate initiatives. It is grounded in a whole-of-nation approach under the theme "Going Beyond: Green Growth, Resilient Community, and Sustainable Planet."

Our Pavilion this year is packed with diverse, engaging activities, trade missions, and collaborative initiatives that unite various facets of society. All share a common goal—contributing to a greener Malaysia.

MALAYSIA’S CLIMATE GOALS

We must also acknowledge the dedicated efforts of our negotiation team currently engaged at the negotiation hall. Our focus is on key issues such as carbon markets, a just transition, climate finance, mitigation work programme and others.

Malaysia recognises that the outcomes of the global stocktake will shape the course of our global response to climate change. We hope that it will be a catalyst for transformative action, propelling us toward a world that is resilient and sustainable. Let us keep in mind the urgency of the situation and the lives that also depend on the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund.

Malaysia has addressed the crucial role of finance in climate change by urging the developed nations to contribute USD100 billion annually, which was highlighted in Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s address at the UN General Assembly in September. Separately, developing a long-term mitigation strategy will be key to guiding sectoral and crosssectoral policy planning in line with the Paris Agreement goals. Malaysia is hence formulating a Long-Term Low Emissions Strategy (LT-LEDS) and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Roadmap, which will serve as a comprehensive guideline towards our achieving net-zero emissions as early as 2050. Among Malaysia's priorities is the drafting of a climate change bill, the establishment of a national adaptation fund, and the development of a carbon market mechanism.

WHAT MALAYSIA IS DOING

We have also embarked on a “just transition” via recently announced policies like the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP). These frameworks will ensure an inclusive shift to a sustainable and low-carbon economy.

The NETR details our pathway towards sourcing 31% of power from renewables by 2025 and 40% by 2040. Malaysia is bringing in significant investments needed for responsible energy transition, with RM2 billion to seed the National Energy Transition Facility. We have likewise empowered the National Energy Council to monitor NETR’s progress while encouraging private-sector involvement.

To conserve forest and marine life, we have increased the allocation of the Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation (EFT) to RM200 million in 2024 to incentivise Malaysia’s states to protect and increase coverage of their forests. We have also rationalised electricity tariffs, protecting most households while ensuring the wealthiest pay their fair share while also strengthening energy efficiency, including via new legislation.

These are just some examples of what Malaysia is doing to help mitigate climate change within our borders, including via biodiversity, energy management and creating a sustainable ecosystem.

Your Majesties, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

CONCLUSION: COP28 ASPIRATIONS

Our hope for COP28 is to see countries coming together with ambitious and concrete commitments to address climate change.

There must be a sense of urgency and a willingness to work together. As we navigate the complexities of climate negotiations, let us be mindful that our decisions today shape the world that our future generations will inherit.

Through innovative solutions, sustainable practices, and collaborative initiatives, our nation will proudly showcase its role as a regional leader in addressing climate challenges at the Malaysia Pavilion.

Our Pavilion is not just a structure. I also like to think it reflects our nation’s commitment, its spirit of gotong-royong, of people in the community coming together to achieve common goals or in times of difficulties. That spirit must prevail in Malaysia’s climate action and we hope that it will likewise be a call for the world to come together.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the dedication and hard work of the NRECC as the national focal point and MGTC as the executing agency. I appreciate the presence and involvement of our champions, government officials, private sector representatives, civil society, and all stakeholders in shaping the world for our better, collective future.