WELCOMING REMARKS

BY
DATO’ NORIYAH AHMAD
DIRECTOR GENERAL, ECONOMIC PLANNING UNIT
PRIME MINISTER’S DEPARTMENT

“REGIONAL WORKSHOP: STRENGTHENING PLANNING CAPACITY

FOR LOW CARBON GROWTH IN DEVELOPING ASIA”

27 JANUARY 2011
KUALA 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 life’s 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.

Ladies and Gentlemen

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
Malaysia’s 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 Malaysia’a 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 Malaysia’s 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.

Ladies and Gentlemen

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 today’s 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.