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by AZALEA AZUAR
THE government will focus on urban biodiversity as a strategic investment, says Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Speaking to reporters at the Urban Biodiversity Conference 2025 (UBC2025) on Aug 5, he said urban biodiversity is linked to return on investment, as it enhances property value and quality of life.
“Property values will increase because people are not just buying houses — they are buying homes in clean, green, livable environments.”
Investing in urban biodiversity also yields environmental returns, including the development of recreational parks and potential to attract investors and tourists.
Fadillah, who is also the deputy prime minister (DPM), said Putrajaya as well as Taman Tasik Titiwangsa and Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, as successful examples of urban biodiversity projects.
“It can be converted into business opportunities to attract not only tourists. More importantly, these will be areas where we can educate our young people,” he said.
As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia will be spearheading the ASEAN Smart Cities Network Action Plan (2026-2035), a long-term strategy to align urban development across the region.
It will focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies, sustainable governance and community-driven solutions.
“Together, we can shape an ASEAN that is not only economically integrated but also ecologically responsive — one that protects the wellbeing of all 680 million people in our region,” he said.
During the event, Fadillah also witnessed a signing of a five-year partnership between Sime Darby Property Bhd and Tropical Rainforest Conservation and Research Centre to promote urban biodiversity to promote urban biodiversity conservation in the City of Elmina in Shah Alam, Selangor.
The one-day event attracted nearly 500 participants comprising federal and state policymakers and agencies, city planners, environmental experts, industry players, NGOs and community leaders — reflecting broad support for the sustainability agenda.
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