The UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Seema Malhotra, launched two new climate adaptation initiatives with Malaysia at the Forest Learning Centre in Kuala Lumpur on 6 October. The event was also attended by Datuk Mas Rizal bin Mohd Hilmi, Deputy Secretary General of Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability. These initiatives aim to strengthen Malaysia’s capacity to respond to climate impacts such as flooding and heat stress while promoting sustainable development.
Under the first initiative, the UK will partner with UNDP Malaysia to support climate adaptation efforts through innovative financial tools. These tools are designed to attract green investment from businesses and banks, enabling climate-related projects that protect communities, ecosystems, and local economies. This collaboration builds on UNDP’s ongoing programmes, including the Climate Finance Network and MyClimateFinHub, to channel finance toward practical solutions that leave no one behind.
The second initiative involves a partnership with Monash University Malaysia to help local leaders in Selangor make informed decisions regarding water, energy, and food consumption. The project will develop economic models to illustrate the interconnected impacts of infrastructure and policy choices—such as hydropower development on farming or wetlands—supporting decisions that balance community well-being, environmental conservation, and economic resilience.
These joint projects form part of the UK’s Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) programme, demonstrating the UK’s broader commitment to climate resilience in Asia. Representatives from UNDP Malaysia and Monash University Malaysia attended the ceremony to exchange grant agreements and outline their project plans. The initiatives mark a significant milestone in UK-Malaysia climate cooperation ahead of COP30, where Malaysia is expected to play a prominent role in regional climate discussions.
UNDP’s Resident Representative, Edward Vrkić, highlighted the urgency of climate adaptation in Malaysia, emphasizing the importance of scaling up climate finance to safeguard communities and ecosystems. Professor Stephen Boyle from Monash University Malaysia underlined the project’s integrated approach, aiming to optimise resource systems while conserving natural ecosystems, reflecting a comprehensive strategy for climate adaptation.
