Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition & Water Transformation, delivered the keynote address at FLOWS 2024 – Future Leaders of Water Sustainability. This event was organized by the UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB).
FLOWS 2024, themed “Accelerating Impact for Water Resilience,” underscored the importance of water security and the crucial role businesses play in sustainable water management and consumption. The event provided a platform for exploring cross-sector collaborations and innovative approaches.
“The Government’s Water Sector Transformation 2040 represents a national agenda aimed at transforming the water sector into a dynamic and vibrant economic segment. It is an urgent call for action for both public and private sectors to collaborate in implementing sustainable water management practices. I hope to see more Malaysian companies prioritize water resilience and translate their commitments into impactful actions,” stated Datuk Sri Fadillah.
He, along with Karima El Korri, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore, and Faroze Nadar, Executive Director of UNGCMYB, launched “Forward Faster”, an initiative focused on water resilience. This UN Global Compact initiative aims to enhance accountability and transparency by encouraging companies to publicly declare their sustainability commitments and outline their plans to achieve these targets. Duopharma Biotech Berhad became the first Malaysian company to join Forward Faster and publicly commit to water resilience.
“The Forward Faster initiative offers a pathway for businesses to enhance their sustainability performance on crucial topics like water resilience. At UNGCMYB, we promote ambitious collective actions by various stakeholders and support businesses in their Forward Faster journey to boost their sustainability impact and reputation both locally and globally. We are proud to see Malaysian companies emerging as global champions on essential sustainability issues,” said Faroze Nadar.
With over 300 policymakers, sustainability leaders, and business representatives gathered at the Connexion Conference and Event Centre in Bangsar South City, FLOWS 2024 built on its inaugural success. The discussions focused on understanding and developing strategies to improve water resilience. Attendees had the chance to engage with leading experts and practitioners, delving into the complex relationship between water quantity, quality, and security.
The first panel, titled “Water – A National Security Issue,” addressed the growing threats to access clean water, which are worsened by global water stress and climate change. Malaysia’s vulnerability to climate impacts, including floods and droughts, exacerbates these challenges and threatens water supplies. Urgent measures are required to manage water resources and promote sustainable conservation efforts.
Panelists included YB Michelle Ng Mei Sze, the State Assemblywoman for Subang Jaya and Chairwoman of the Selangor Water Resource Management Special Select Committee; Ir. Zulkiflee Omar, CEO of Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB); Charles Santiago, Chairman of the Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN); and Dr. Ir. Ts. Hj. Mohmad Asari Daud, President of The Malaysian Water Association (MWA), with Dr. Tunku Alina Alias serving as the moderator and Advisory Panel Member of UNGCMYB.
The second panel, “Building Water Resilience for Businesses,” highlighted the essential role of businesses in managing water sustainably. Industries such as hydropower, manufacturing, and food processing, which rely heavily on water, must adopt sustainable practices. Businesses are encouraged to adeptly navigate water-related risks, using water stewardship as a catalyst for innovation. Implementing water-conserving practices not only enhances resilience but also drives efficiency.
Speakers for this panel included Mohamad Irwan Aman, General Manager of Sustainability at Sarawak Energy Berhad; Renuka Indrarajah, Corporate Affairs & Legal Director at Heineken Malaysia Berhad; Khairul Effendy Tusam, COO of Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd; and moderator Shanta Helena Dwarkasing, Head of Programmes (Forward Faster Initiative) at UNGCMYB.
During the symposium, three presentations were delivered: Datuk Dr. Anas Alam Faizli, CEO – Corporate of Duopharma Biotech Bhd discussed ‘Good Practice Spotlight’; Suraya binti Sani, Deputy Director of the Sustainability Unit at Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) presented on ‘Nature-related Financial Risks in An Uncertain Future’; and Tan Zhi Ying, Head of Member Relations at UNGCMYB shared insights on ‘Accelerating Your Sustainability Journey with UNGCMYB’.
The symposium’s success was supported by partners including Sarawak Energy Berhad, Pengurusan Aset Air Berhad (PAAB), Ranhill SAJ Sdn Bhd, Duopharma Biotech Bhd, as well as supporting partners such as Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), Capital Markets Malaysia (CMM), Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies (MCMTC), Malaysia Association of Sustainable Supply Chain & Innovation (MASSCI), and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
Source: Malaysian Business. “UNGCMYB Organises Inaugural FLOWS Symposium Advocating for Water Sustainability and Resilience,” May 13, 2024. Read more: https://malaysian-business.com/index.php/wordpress/item/8880-ungcmyb-organises-inaugural-flows-symposium-advocating-for-water-sustainability-and-resilience.
