Resident Coordinator's speech: Official Launch of the APPGM-SDG Annual Report 2025

Yang Berhormat Dato’ Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah, 

Deputy Minister of Economy,

Yang Berhormat Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, 

Chairperson of APPGM-SDG,

Yang Berhormat Members of Parliament,

Yang Berbahagia Professor Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria, 

Head of Secretariat of APPGM-SDG,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Selamat Tengah Hari 

It is a great honour to join you today for the launch of the APPGM-SDG Annual Report 2025.

I am honoured to be here with Parliamentarians, government representatives, civil society, academia and partners who are working every day to advance sustainable development. 

Our ability to achieve the SDGs – here in Malaysia and across the world – depends on partnerships like these: on elected representatives, public servants, and engaged citizens to deliver change on the ground. 

Let me begin by congratulating APPGM-SDG on this important Annual Report.

This report is more than a publication.

It reflects Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring that development reaches every community.

It tells a story of partnership.
It tells a story of participation.
And most importantly, it reflects the principle at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals:

Leave no one behind.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

We are at a critical moment for the 2030 Agenda.

With only four years remaining, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals remains uneven. Communities around the world continue to face rising inequalities, economic pressures, climate challenges and barriers to essential services.

The question before us is not whether the SDGs matter.

The question is:

How do we move faster?
How do we reach further?
How do we ensure that progress touches every person, every community and every generation?

Because development is not measured only by national averages.

It is measured by whether a child in a rural community has access to quality education.

Whether a person with a disability can participate fully in society.

Whether a family facing hardship has opportunity and dignity.

Whether communities have a voice in shaping their own future.

This is why the work of APPGM-SDG matters. The United Nations system in Malaysia is proud to have been closely associated with APPGM-SDG since its inception six years ago.

The SDGs succeed when global commitments become local action.

When policies are informed by people’s realities.

When communities are not simply recipients of development, but partners in creating solutions.

APPGM-SDG represents an important model of this approach.

Its strength lies in its ability to bring people together — Parliamentarians from across political parties, communities, government agencies, civil society, academia and other partners — to strengthen dialogue, accountability and collaboration.

This reflects the spirit of Sustainable Development Goal 16: building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.

The role of Parliament is essential not only through legislation and oversight, but also through listening. Through understanding. Through ensuring that the voices of communities are reflected in national conversations.

At the heart of this work is localisation.

Through its issue mapping approach across 143 parliamentary constituencies, APPGM-SDG has captured the lived experiences, priorities and challenges of communities across Malaysia.

This is development grounded in evidence.
Development grounded in people.

It is an approach to policymaking that begins with listening, is shaped through meaningful consultation, and responds to the rights, needs and aspirations of women, young people, persons with disabilities and all those it serves.

The Annual Report demonstrates how these local insights can be transformed into action — informing community interventions, strengthening partnerships and contributing to better policy decisions.

Because those closest to challenges are often closest to solutions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The United Nations is committed to supporting Malaysia’s national priorities and sustainable development ambitions.

I was particularly impressed to read about APPGM-SDG’s Micro SDG Projects — community-based development projects and food security initiatives supported through small grants of RM40,000.

These modest investments have generated significant impact: 1,587 projects have been completed, supported by 1,009 grassroots project solution providers across communities.

This is a powerful reminder that solutions do not always begin at the national level. Often, they begin with communities themselves — with people who understand their own challenges and who have the ideas, commitment and determination to create change.

Many of these successful initiatives have the potential to be scaled up and reach even more communities.

This is where the Malaysia-UN SDG Trust Fund can play an important role.

Established in collaboration with Yayasan MySDG and with the support of the Ministry of Finance, the Trust Fund provides a platform to accelerate impactful, community-driven solutions aligned with Malaysia’s sustainable development priorities.

Since 2024, the Fund has awarded USD 8 million to support 30 projects across Malaysia, benefiting more than 72,000 people.

These initiatives are creating meaningful impact in areas that directly shape people’s lives — including health, education, livelihoods, social cohesion and environmental sustainability.

Building on this momentum, we launched the Fund’s third Call for Proposals just two weeks ago. We warmly encourage APPGM-SDG’s grantees and community partners across the country to explore this opportunity to scale successful initiatives and continue driving solutions that are locally led and nationally relevant.

The Trust Fund demonstrates what is possible when government, the United Nations, civil society, communities and partners come together around a shared purpose.

And I believe we can do even more together.

This whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach will remain essential as Malaysia advances its development priorities, including the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan and its commitment to evidence-based sustainable development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The launch of this Annual Report is not only a moment to recognise achievements.

It is a moment to renew our shared commitment.

The SDGs are not the responsibility of one institution.

They belong to all of us.

To Parliamentarians who represent communities.

To policymakers who shape priorities.

To civil society organisations that work on the ground.

To businesses that create opportunities.

To young people who will inherit the future we build today.

The true measure of our progress will not only be found in reports, targets or statistics.

It will be found in the lives improved.

In the communities empowered.

In the opportunities created.

And in whether those who are most vulnerable feel that they are seen, heard and included.

I congratulate APPGM-SDG, its leadership, Secretariat, Members of Parliament and all partners who have contributed to this important work.

The United Nations in Malaysia looks forward to continuing our partnership in support of Malaysia’s sustainable development journey.

Together, we can ensure that development is not only faster and more sustainable — but fairer, more inclusive, and truly leaves no one behind.

Thank you.