Dato’ Noriyah Ahmad (EPU) Welcome Remarks - ADB Regional Workshop 27 Jan 2011

8/7/2019 Dato Noriyah Ahmad (EPU) Welcome Remarks - ADB Regional Workshop 27 Jan 2011

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WELCOMING REMARKSBY

DATO NORIYAH AHMADDIRECTOR GENERAL, ECONOMIC PLANNING UNIT

PRIME MINISTERS DEPARTMENT

REGIONAL WORKSHOP: STRENGTHENING PLANNING CAPACITY

FOR LOW CARBON GROWTH IN DEVELOPING ASIA

27 JANUARY 2011KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE

Dr. Zhuang Juzhong

Deputy Chief Economist of the Asian Development Bank

Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very good morning to all.

Selamat Datang to Malaysia, or Welcome to Malaysia and also to the

Regional Workshop on Strengthening Planning Capacity for Low Carbon

Growth in Developing Asia. It is indeed an honour and a privilege for

Malaysia to host this Regional Workshop.

2. On this occasion, I would like to thank the Asian Development

Bank (ADB) for their efforts in making this Regional Workshop possible

particularly, in gathering experts from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and

the Philippines, as well as Malaysia to discuss the very important global

issues relating to climate change and its mitigation measures.


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3. Promoting the low carbon growth to the developing economies in

the Southeast Asian region, to me, is indeed crucial at this point in time.

Today, as we are developing into a more knowledge-based society, our

lifestyle is changing too. This has inevitably altered our living

environment. Thus, it is important for us to keep both development and

environment in balance via the principles of sustainable development.

Ladies and Gentlemen

4. Just two days ago, the Economic Planning Unit conducted a

National Inception Workshop on Economics of Climate Change for

Malaysia, which was attended by about 100 participants from various

ministries, departments, agencies, States Planning Unit, academicians

and NGOs as well as representatives from ADB, United Nations

Development Programme, British High Commission and European

Commission. With the objective to analyse the economic costs and

benefits of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures to the

country, the outcome of the Economics of Climate Change for Malaysia

study and this regional study conducted by ADB will complement each

other in developing comprehensive adaptation and mitigation strategies

for addressing climate change.

5. Climate change is a multi-dimensional issue. It is as much a

science and technology issue as it is an economic and social

development issue. It poses a huge threat to our pursuit for sustainable

development as it affects all aspects of human development especially

people in the developing countries. The recent calamity such as floods

occurring in Australia, Brazil, Pakistan and Sri Lanka not only


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jeopardizing economic activities, properties but also lifes lost. Closer at

home, northern states in Peninsular Malaysia also experienced floods.

Despite having contributed least to greenhouse gas emissions, they are

likely to be the most affected by climate change. The impacts are felt by

the economy, existing society and future generation, as well as the

whole ecosystem chain.

6. Recognising the global challenge of climate change and its

impacts, Malaysia as a responsible global citizen, has taken necessary

steps to tackle the challenges brought about by climate change.

Malaysia has already adopted and is implementing the National Climate

Change Policy and the National Green Technology Policy, which is

aimed at moving towards a climate resilient and low-carbon economy. A

special framework was introduced to ensure the effective

implementation of the policies, which includes critical factors, namely

awareness, faculty, finance, infrastructure, research, and marketing

(AFFIRM). This is inclusive of the establishment of a Green Technology

Financing Scheme, amounting to RM1.5 billion, to promote and spur the

development of green technology in the country, especially market

creation and the penetration of green technology in the economy.

7. Malaysia has embarked on promoting efficient energy usage with

numerous energy efficiency initiatives being adopted such as enforcing

the Efficient Management of Electricity Regulation 2008 to ensure more

efficient use of electricity among large users; and promoting usage of

high energy-efficient appliances and equipment.Specific aspects of the

green technology have already been adopted in the government

administrative centre township, namely Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, to


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serve as a showcase for the development of other townships in the

country.


8. At the 15th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change on December 2009, our Honourable

Prime Minister, Dato Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Abdul Razak reiterated

Malaysias commitment by announcing that Malaysia is adopting an

indicator of a voluntary reduction of up to 40%, in terms of emissions

intensity of GDP by the year 2020 compared to 2005 levels, with

condition, on receiving the transfer of technology and finance of

adequate and effective levels from our Annex 1 partners.

9. Subsequently, in the Tenth Malaysia Plan, one of the 81 initiatives

to be undertaken is on developing a climate resilient growth strategy

through protection of our economic growth from impacts of climate

change; and reducing Malaysiaa carbon footprint. In reducing the

emission intensity, focus will be put on creating stronger initiatives for

investments in renewable energy, promoting energy efficiency,

improving solid waste management, conserving forests, and improving

the air quality. At the same time, we will also enhance the conservation

of our ecological assets as well as ensuring its sustainable utilisation.

10. Depleting energy sources, coupled with the rapidly increasing

energy demand by the country, has made Malaysia among the countries

which are at the fore-front of renewable energy exploration. In this

regard, Malaysia is targeting that renewable energy would contribute

about 5.5% of Malaysias total electricity supply by 2015 through


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stronger incentive system for investments, such as introducing a Feed-in

Tariff (FIT); and establishing a Renewable Energy Fund.


11. In striving towards a higher level of economic development, we

must be reminded that it should not be at the expense of the

environment and the quality of life of the citizens. As such, ensuring the

quality of life of the citizens should also be included in the economic

planning of each country. Green growth can thus be the driver to

accelerate the economy and to promote sustainable development.

12. I sincerely hope todays Workshop will lead towards

comprehensive strategies for achieving the low carbon economy goals in

Southeast Asia.

13. Before I conclude, I would like to take this opportunity to thanked

Asian Development Bank, the Government of Britain and the

Government of Japan in making this regional workshop possible. For all

the participants, I hope this workshop will be able to assist you in

developing low-carbon growth strategies in your country. It is also my

wish that participants would take this opportunity to enjoy what Kuala

Lumpur has to offer.

Finally, I wish you all a productive workshop.

Thank you very much.

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Dato’ Noriyah Ahmad (EPU) Welcome Remarks - ADB Regional Workshop 27 Jan 2011