Kuala lumpur: Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution were the main focus of the three-day 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18) here, to ensure sustainable development efforts are achieved in line with international commitments. Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing climate change, emphasizing Malaysia’s role in global efforts.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Johari stressed the urgency of addressing biodiversity loss, particularly due to logging and deforestation activities that are diminishing the country’s forest resources. He noted that losing biodiversity as a result of deforestation is a critical issue that needs immediate attention.

On the topic of pollution, Johari pointed out the environmental challenges posed by plastic usage. He remarked on the difficulty of decomposing plastics and reiterated his commitment to addressing the plastic issue. He further mentioned the government’s decision to halt the import of plastic and waste from abroad, underlining that Malaysia should not become a dumping ground for global plastic waste.

Johari also shared that this stance has the support of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is committed to preventing Malaysia from being used as a plastic waste dumping site. The AMME-18 meeting, which commenced on Tuesday, gathered ASEAN environment ministers and senior officials to discuss regional cooperation aimed at sustainable and inclusive environmental management.