The fifth Malaysia Urban Forum (2023), scheduled from 4th to 8th November in Kuching, Sarawak bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders, policymakers, experts, academia and practitioners to deliberate on urban issues and sustainable development. This annual gathering is an inclusive national-level platform that brings multiple stakeholders together around for dialogue, knowledge exchange and collaboration aimed at addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by urban areas in Malaysia that aligns with the National Urban Agenda (NUA) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
It’s also a great pleasure that Dr. Khamarrul Azahari, the director of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Center at Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, has been invited as a panelist for a series dialogue session as follows:
- Women’s Assembly – Fostering Change: Women, Gender & Development
- Children’s Assembly – Eating Healthy and Playing Smart: Empowering Children’s Voices
- Resilience and Richness: Harnessing Cultural Capital for Sustainable Development
- Special Session 10: Impact Climate Change to Marginalized Group
In conjunction with Malaysia Urban Forum (MUF) 2023, DPPC had an opportunity to explore smart partnerships in disaster risk management and gain firsthand insights into the strategies, challenges and innovations from related stakeholders. Here’s a breakdown of the new opportunities and partnerships in future between DPPC and DRR Stakeholders in Sarawak during collaborative meeting:
- YBhg. Datu Dr Chai Khin Chung, Director of Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit Department of Premier of Sarawak
- YS PPj (PA) Mokhtar bin Samat, Director of Civil Defence Force (APM) Sarawak State
- YBrs. Mr Mohammad Haffizie bin Putit, Director of National Security Council (MKN) Sarawak State
- YBhg. Datu Khiruddin bin Drahman @ Hussaini Director of Fire and Rescue Department Malaysia, Sarawak State
In conclusion, the amalgamation of the Malaysia Urban Forum 2023 with a series of courtesy visits to agencies specializing in disaster risk management in Kuching, Sarawak, marks a significant step toward holistic sustainable urban development. This combined initiative offers a unique platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the formulation of resilient strategies necessary to safeguard urban areas from multi-hazard disasters. By leveraging the insights garnered from these engagements, stakeholders can pave the way for a more resilient, adaptive, and sustainable urban future in Malaysia.
As participants engage in these events, they contribute not only to the discourse on urban resilience but also to the practical implementation of strategies that can truly make a difference in ensuring the safety and well-being of urban populations in the face of adversities.