Kuala lumpur: Kuala Lumpur aims to lead efforts among ASEAN capital cities in tackling solid waste management, with a strong focus on practical actions rather than mere declarations, said Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif. As Malaysia chairs ASEAN this year, she noted that Kuala Lumpur is hosting key urban discussions, including the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of ASEAN Capitals (MGMAC 2025), where waste management is expected to be a top agenda item.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Maimunah expressed the city's commitment to action over declarations. 'Sometimes we have so many declarations, but we want to declare our action. We want to do solid waste (management), we also want to do mitigation, and we want to do maybe public spaces and nature-based solutions,' she stated during an interview on Bernama TV's ASEAN Dari Kuala Lumpur Ke Dunia programme.

Maimunah said Kuala Lumpur is pushing for a 'Kuala Lumpur Joint Leaders' Statement' among the mayors of ASEAN capital cities. The goal is to establish an agreed action plan with timelines and commitments, which can be followed up at the next regional meeting in Manila, the Philippines. MGMAC 2025, to be held in the Malaysian capital, is expected to gather up to 8,000 participants and will run alongside two other urban-focused events -- the ASEAN Mayors and Governors Capital Meeting and the ASEAN Sustainable Urbanisation Forum.

Maimunah, who will chair the meeting, said it is not just a platform to showcase achievements but also to share the challenges faced by Kuala Lumpur and other cities. She emphasized the opportunity for Malaysia and all stakeholders in Kuala Lumpur to highlight their struggles, achievements, and growth, as well as share their challenges.

On Kuala Lumpur's position in the region, Maimunah noted that the city is comparatively ahead in terms of development planning and infrastructure, citing its comprehensive plan, infrastructure, and role as a hub of talent and investment. She also highlighted ongoing efforts to preserve Kuala Lumpur's historical heritage under the Warisan Kuala Lumpur plan, backed by RM700 million in funding from Khazanah Nasional.

Addressing climate change, Maimunah mentioned Kuala Lumpur's climate change policy and action plan, which aims for carbon neutrality by 2050. She noted the development of a digital twin model to support data-driven urban management and the operation of the Kuala Lumpur Command and Control Centre (KLCCC), equipped with 5,000 CCTV units supported by artificial intelligence.

Maimunah also stressed the importance of public participation in city planning and budgeting, noting that DBKL has conducted over 70 engagement sessions for its Local Plan 2040 and is implementing gender-responsive participatory budgeting. She expressed her commitment to fostering two-way public engagement in city initiatives.

In her message to the people of Kuala Lumpur during Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship, Maimunah expressed her hope to make the city a livable and lovable place to stay, and a city for all.