KUCHING: Community waste management and efforts to make Kuching South more inclusive for children and older residents were among five initiatives shared at an international conference in Sydney recently.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) presented five papers at the Alliance for Healthy Cities (AFHC) Global Conference 2026 at the University of New South Wales.
According to a statement, the papers covered its ‘Bank Sampah’ programme, child-friendly city development, Takakura composting, healthy ageing, and circular economy efforts.
Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the initiatives shared a common goal of improving residents’ quality of life.
“From children and senior citizens to waste management and environmental sustainability, every initiative contributes towards making Kuching South a healthier and more liveable city,” he said.
He said building a healthy city went beyond healthcare to include surroundings that supported residents’ physical, social and environmental wellbeing.
MBKS’ three presenters were Senior Assistant Secretary Lilian Liew, Environmental Health oOfficer Aneesah Adam, and Agricultural Officer Chai We Jin.
All five abstracts were accepted by the conference’s scientific committee.
Wee said the council encouraged officers to document their work, assess its outcomes, and share lessons with other cities alongside implementing programmes.
“Our officers are able to share what we have done in Kuching South, learn from other cities, and bring new ideas and good practices home,” he added.
He said ‘Bank Sampah’ and the council’s organic waste programmes demonstrated how community involvement could help address environmental issues.
Meanwhile, its child-friendly and age-friendly city initiatives sought to ensure that urban development considered the needs and views of different generations.
Wee said the conference also allowed MBKS to compare its approaches with those of other cities and identify practices suitable for Kuching South.
“Our participation should not end with attending conferences.
“What is important is that we continue to learn, improve and translate that knowledge into actions that benefit our community,” he said.
