Paris: Malaysia urges the international community to strengthen cooperation to address the global water crisis, a cross-border challenge that affects all countries regardless of whether they are rich or poor, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, emphasized the need for the global community to recognize water as a highly valuable resource for human survival and development.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah shared these insights while speaking at the opening plenary session of the Global Water Summit 2025, themed ‘Delivering the Economics of Water’. He called for strategic partnerships and aligned policy actions as priorities to ensure a sustainable and resilient water future for all. Fadillah remarked that “Water is the lifeblood of our planet that unites the global community in a shared responsibility,” and stressed the urgency of cooperation to tackle the global water crisis.
During the session, Fadill
ah highlighted Malaysia’s progressive approach to sustainable water management, showcasing the country’s commitment to serving as a model for nations facing similar water security challenges. He detailed the country’s achievements in water management reforms, moving from fragmented state governance to a more integrated federal-state partnership. Fadillah also reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to managing increasing water demand due to urbanization, climate change, and industrial use.
In his Facebook post, Fadillah discussed the Malaysia Water Sector Transformation Agenda 2040, which focuses on viewing water management as a vital and limited resource. The agenda includes strengthening private sector investment to drive innovation, enhancing flood prediction efficiency, and employing sophisticated modeling data for better preparedness against extreme weather events. He invited global innovators to invest and collaborate in new-generation water technology, highlighting Malaysia’s active role in regional efforts,
especially within ASEAN.
Present at the summit were the Malaysian Ambassador to France, Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim; Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (PETRA) secretary of Sustainable Energy Division, Asdirhyme Abdul Rasib; and Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Narendran Maniam.