BY ADELINE ANTHONY ALPHONSO

The theme underscored a national push to drive innovation and collaboration across key areas, including empowering cities, electrifying mobility, decarbonising energy systems, accelerating circular models, and safeguarding biodiversity.

The event was officiated by Minister of Plantation and Commodities and Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Seri Johari Ghani, who also closed the Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit( KLSS 2025) moments before launching IGEM.

SHAPING GREEN TRANSITIONS

The opening ceremony saw the attendance of senior government leaders, including Chief Secretary to the government Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Deputy Minister Dato’ Sri Huang Tiong Sii, Economy Deputy Minister Dato’ Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib, NRES Secretary-General Datuk Dr Ching Thoo Kim,( Environmental Sustainability) Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Nor Yahati Awang, and MGTC Chairperson Shareen Shariza Dato’ Abdul Ghani.

In his keynote, Johari warned that climate change had become a“ clear and present threat”, outpacing global efforts to contain it. He noted that last year’ s global temperatures surpassed the 1.5 ° C threshold for the first time, putting pressure on climate-sensitive regions such as Southeast Asia.

With rising seas, prolonged droughts and threats to food security, he stressed that Malaysia had no choice but to confront the crisis head-on.

During those two days, KLSS 2025 brought together policymakers, businesses, and experts to discuss issues ranging from energy systems and finance to food supply and water resilience. Johari told delegates that discussions alone were no longer enough.

“ The world has spent too long in conversation and too little in transformation.

GREEN MOMENTUM: The opening ceremony highlights the momentum behind Malaysia’ s transition to a lowcarbon, inclusive future.

NET ZERO DRIVE: Johari Ghani officiates IGEM 2025, calling for stronger climate action across Southeast Asia.

“ We must shift from words to work, from pledges to projects, and from awareness to accountability,” he said.

As ASEAN Chair for 2025, Malaysia placed sustainability at the centre of its regional agenda. Through KLSS, ASEAN had aligned its climate discourse around adaptation, mitigation and resilience. IGEM, he said, was designed to take that momentum forward by converting policy ideas into real opportunities.

The showcase brought together technologies and solutions ranging from renewable energy and sustainable mobility to wastereduction systems, carbon management tools and nature-based innovations.

Johari also emphasised that IGEM’ s role extended beyond major corporations. He described the exhibition as a platform for MSMEs, calling them the“ pulse of Malaysia’ s green transformation”.

Their inclusion, he said, ensured that the benefits of the low-carbon shift were felt widely, supporting job creation, community participation and home-grown innovation.

The minister also outlined several national

initiatives designed to strengthen Malaysia’ s long-term climate leadership. These included the National Climate Change Bill( RUUPIN) under the 13th Malaysia Plan( 2026 – 2030), which would institutionalise climate governance and lay the foundation for a national carbon market.

He reiterated that the government was finalising the National Carbon Market Policy, which would guide carbon trading frameworks, introduce phased compliance and voluntary markets, and establish rigorous measurement, reporting, and verification( MRV) systems.

Such efforts would support carbon credit projects in forestry, renewable energy, and nature-based solutions— creating income opportunities for state governments, communities, and investors.

He also highlighted that carbon-credit projects involving forestry, renewable energy and nature-based solutions could open new income opportunities for states, local communities and investors.

The recently passed Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage( CCUS) Bill further positions Malaysia as a regional carbonmanagement hub, with potential economic value estimated at up to USD 250 billion over three decades.

Malaysia had also completed its Third Nationally Determined Contribution( NDC 3.0), reflecting a more ambitious yet practical approach to emissions reduction under the Paris Agreement. The NDC would be submitted to the UNFCCC once approved by the Cabinet.

Malaysia, through events like IGEM, continues to demonstrate a structured, strategic, and sustained approach to green development— setting a regional example for how climate action can be effectively paired with economic growth and inclusivity. – @ green