UN Habitat Award: MBI Continues To Commit To Building Resilient, Sustainable City - Ipoh Mayor

IPOH, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- The Ipoh Doughnut Economics Programme, which won the 2024 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, is proof of how cities, when guided by an innovative framework, can grow within ecological limits while improving the well-being of their communities.

Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said the importance of the achievement lies not only in the award itself, but the commitment of the Ipoh City Council (MBI) to transform Ipoh into a sustainable, inclusive and resilient city.

"It reflects a strong impact in applying the Doughnut Economics model, which integrates economic, social, and environmental dimensions to achieve a balanced and sustainable development path.

"We intend to continue to work in aligning our development with ecological limits while strengthening the social foundation of the Ipoh community," he said in a joint statement with MBI and Sunway University's Sunway Centre for Planetary Health (SCPH).

Yesterday, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming congratulated MBI and its partners for successfully winning the 2024 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award for the Ipoh Doughnut Economics Programme.

The Ipoh Doughnut Economics Programme is a joint initiative involving SCPH, Institut Darul Ridzuan (IDR), People of Remarkable Talent (PORT) and MBI.

Launched in March 2023 with a grant from the Yayasan Hasanah, the programme aims to make Ipoh a "Doughnut City" that focuses on sustainable development.

Rumaizi said in line with the goal of FLAGSHIP 15 in the Perak Sejahtera 2030 Plan, MBI strengthened its commitment to establish cooperation with stakeholders to build a resilient, healthy and sustainable Ipoh.

"Ipoh aims to be a pioneering example for other cities in the country and ASEAN in adapting a regenerative and sustainable urban development model," he said.

Meanwhile, SCPH executive director Tan Sri Dr. Jemilah Mahmood in the same statement said the achievement reflects Sunway University's continued commitment to planetary health.

"It is also the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and highlights the university's dedication to being a 'Campus with a Conscience,' which actively drives sustainable solutions and nurtures responsible global citizens," she said.

Earlier the Ipoh Doughnut Economics Programme, based on the nine principles of the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL), won the 2024 UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour Award, for its efforts to transform Ipoh into a regenerative "Doughnut City" that focuses on health, the environment, and sustainable development.

This is the third time Malaysia has received this award which recognises excellence in urban development.

The award will be presented at the "Beyond the 2030 Agenda" event in Queretaro, Mexico held from Oct 8 to 10.

-- BERNAMA