PRIVATE SECTOR KEY TO BRIDGE THE GAP FROM GOALS TO ACTIONS UNDER 2030 AGENDA
YB Dato Rashid Hasnon, Deputy Speaker: the private sector can play a greater role through partnership programmes with the government in efforts to achieve the aspirations of the national sustainable development goals
KUALA LUMPUR (PARLIAMENT), 11 SEPTEMBER 2019 – Private sector participation is crucial in enabling the achievement of the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as highlighted at the SDGs Expert Insight Series (Forum) on “Financing the SDGs: Malaysian Private Sector Role in Bridging the Gap from Goals to Actions,” at the Dewan Persidangan Parliament, today.
The Government and the United Nations in Malaysia, led by Mr. Stefan Priesner, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malaysia Brunei & Singapore supported the private-sector focused forum to catalyse action towards achievement of the SDGs under the 2030 Agenda.
The 2030 Agenda is the most transformative and ambitious plan ever crafted by the global community with 17 goals, 169 targets and 232 indicators – that balance the economic, social and environmental pillars of development. Malaysia is fully committed to the 2030 Agenda and SDGs.
The forum was organised jointly by the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), Global Compact Network Malaysia (GCMY), Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker’s Office and facilitated by Nottingham University Business School (Malaysia) and strategic partner – ENGAGE Sea, a reputation & Influence strategist firm.
YB Dato’ Mohd Rashid Hasnon, Deputy Speaker, Dewan Rakyat who delivered a keynote address at the forum said the Malaysian Government is highly supportive of the 2030 Agenda and the need for the private sector to play a key developmental role.
“The key components of the 2030 Agenda have already been included in the government’s manifesto and incorporated in the mid-term review of the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020): New Priorities and Emphases and the 2019 National Budget, which sets the development direction of the country moving forward.
“Despite this, there are areas that need further attention such as poverty eradication, environment and other developmental areas. The private sector can play a greater role in sustainable initiatives through partnership programmes with the government in its efforts to achieve the aspirations of the national sustainable development goals. This would an important step forward for the country,” Dato’ Mohd Rashid added.
Meanwhile, Mr Stefan Priesner said that the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development cannot be achieved by the member states alone. The commitment and alignment of the private sector is critical if nations are to attain the goals and targets set out in the world’s most ambitious development plan in history.
“The United Nations in collaboration with the Malaysian Government is therefore, establishing a TogetherforSDGs platform to get all stakeholders, especially businesses to invest, innovate and channel their resources towards SDG-related priorities in the country,” Mr Priesner said during his keynote address at the SDGs Expert Insight forum.
He also said that there are business opportunities and value – estimated to the tune of USD12 trillion (Business & Sustainable Development Commission) that SDGs have created, hence reiterating the need for private sector partnerships.
Mr Faroze Nadar, Executive Director of GCMY, who mooted the SDGs Expert Insight forum said that it is important for the private sector to step-up and play a key role in accelerating the SDG agenda.
“We want to see the Malaysian private sector as a key global stakeholder in leading the achievements of the SDGs and for this to materialise there needs to be strategic collaborations involving the government, GCMY, the private sector and civil society.
From strategies to measurable impact, such partnerships would be instrumental in transforming goals into action, thus benefiting both business growth and wellbeing of key stakeholders and the environment,” he said.
