Sunway Campus With A Conscience: Local Action for Global Goals 2023 Festival

His Highness Tengku Amir Shah ibni Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah AlHaj, The Crown Prince of Selangor

Professor Dato' Elizabeth Lee, Group Chief Executive, Sunway Education Group

Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President, Sunway University

Good Morning.

I am delighted to be back at Sunway University and join you all in the Sunway Campus With A Conscience, Local Action for Global Goals 2023 Festival.

Thank you for inviting the United Nations to join this very special occasion happening during a very special week both here at Sunway and at the United Nations Headquarters.

Marking the kick-off of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-level Week, and the mid-point to 2030, the UN convened the SDG Summit on 18-19 September bringing together world leaders, preceded by an SDG Action Weekend, a platform for  engagement of thousands of stakeholders.

On Monday of this week, the Summit adopted a political declaration reaffirming Member States’ continued resolve and shared commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to the SDGs and to leaving no one behind.

The declaration highlights progress made but also the challenges that have made progress slow and uneven. It is a call to action to create a new momentum for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships. 

As the world faces multiple crisis, we must turn moments of crisis into moments of opportunity, collective engagement and action on six main transitions with catalytic and multiplier effects across the SDGs. These include: (1) food systems; (2) energy access and affordability; (3) digital connectivity; (4) education; (5) jobs and social protection; and (6) climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. 

The Summit declaration charts the way forward to 2030. It specifically addresses youth and future generations, for whom the SDGs have expressly been designed.

Youth (You) are agents of change, and your energy, creativity, and passion are indispensable to deliver a sustainable and equitable future.

You have played a key role in boosting progress at community, local and national levels. By advocating for change, and fostering innovation, you hold the power to make a lasting impact.

I encourage you to embrace this opportunity:

Firstly, as advocates for progressive change and as participants in policy debates and discussions. 

New avenues for youth participation in policy making have opened-up in Malaysia. It is encouraging to see that the Government is creating opportunities for youth engagement through greater consultation and inclusion, under the banner of Malaysia Madani.

The second major route is through direct actions to secure SDG progress. The past eight years of SDG implementation have demonstrated the value of local action. Local action can be in your home, your neighborhood, your university, and through NGO actions.

Whether by self-adoption or by influencing new behaviors in others, your role is critical.

You have new forms of influence and advocacy at your fingertips. Technological solutions and out-of-the-box ideas can be powerful tools.

At the United Nations in Malaysia, more than 20 UN agencies are actively supporting SDG efforts.

Our presence here today is to reaffirm that your energy inspires us, and we stand ready to further engage with academic institutions that are ready to walk the talk.

I know that the past few days have seen thousands of people from across all communities, age groups, nationalities, and ethnic groups. All united together to support sustainability, inclusion and shared prosperity.

The week isn’t over yet, so I invite you to engage in events and activities all over Campus with a Conscience. Visit the booths, talk among yourselves and to sustainability champions supporting this event. Voice your wishes and reaffirm your determination to be part of the change the world needs.

As the day and this amazing festival come to a close, I congratulate Professor Dato Elizabeth Lee (Group CEO of the Sunway Education Group) and Professor Sibrandes Poppema (President of Sunway University) and all their wonderful teams who have made this event such an astounding success.

We can achieve the SDGs by 2030. Make it happen, and until we meet again next year, have a wonderful time.

And with that message I declare the Campus With A Conscience 2023 officially closed.

Thank you.