Antalya:Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to global climate action by officially opening the Malaysia Pavilion at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Antalya, Turkiye.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the pavilion operates under the theme "Climate Action Now Driving Resilient Growth" and will showcase 49 programs centered on three interconnected pillars Capital Mobilisation, Carbon Transition, and Community Resilience. The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, inaugurated the pavilion, with the Tengku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, also in attendance.
In his address, Al-Sultan Abdullah emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing climate change. He highlighted the need to balance economic growth with environmental conservation, focusing on Malaysia's biodiversity, rainforests, and ecosystems. He noted the impacts of extreme weather, rising sea levels, and biodiversity loss as reminders of the urgent need for action, stating that preserving these natural treasures requires involvement from governments, businesses, and communities, including Indigenous peoples.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) deputy secretary-general (Environmental Sustainability), Datuk Nor Yahati Awang, stated that Malaysia has made progress on its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) commitments since COP30. Nor Yahati, leading the Malaysian delegation to COP31, mentioned that efforts are supported by key policy, institutional, and implementation measures, aiming for emissions to peak between 2029 and 2034, followed by a reduction of 15 to 30 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2035.
Nor Yahati also highlighted initiatives such as the National Carbon Market Policy, the proposed National Climate Change Bill, and the Malaysia National Adaptation Plan. These actions reflect COP31's spirit as the "Implementation COP," focusing on moving beyond declarations towards tangible and measurable climate actions.
Throughout the summit, Malaysia aims to advocate for fair and equitable climate action that considers the different circumstances and development priorities of developing nations. The pavilion will host dialogues, talks, technology showcases, and cultural performances to support and foster strategic partnerships alongside formal UNFCCC negotiations. The Malaysia Pavilion is led by NRES, with the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation as the implementing agency, supported by strategic partners and private sector contributors.