TOYOTA CITY, Japan: Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng represented Malaysia on the global stage when he presented a paper on Sarawak’s circular economy journey at the United Nations International Mayors Forum 2025.
The event, held from October 14 to 16 in Toyota City, Japan, was organised by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) under UN DESA, and carried the theme ‘Actions Today for a Resilient Future – Localising the SDGs and Advancing the Pact for the Future’.
It brought together city leaders, policymakers, and sustainability experts from 39 countries to share best practices on advancing the Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030.
Wee served as a panellist in Session 3: Circular Solutions, Resource Efficiency, and Sustainable Waste Management towards Cleaner Cities, co-organised by UNCRD, UNOSD, and UN-Habitat.
The session focused on implementing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through circular economy approaches that promote zero waste and environmental resilience.
Wee highlighted how Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has advanced sustainable waste management through innovation and public participation, presenting his paper titled ‘Promoting a Circular Economy Towards Zero Waste and a Resilient Society: The Kuching Experience’.
He cited initiatives such as the iBuyBack recycling app, community-led waste reduction campaigns, and data-driven waste monitoring, which have successfully transformed waste management practices while fostering civic responsibility.
“These programmes show how technology, collaboration, and citizen engagement can create tangible environmental, social, and economic benefits.
“Sustainability begins at the local level. When citizens, industries, and governments work together, we can transform waste into worth and challenges into opportunities for future generations,” Wee said.
Wee also shared Sarawak’s ongoing circular economy innovations, including efforts to convert oil palm kernel waste into biomass, animal feed, and biofuel, as well as the exploration of hydrogen production from livestock waste.
“These initiatives demonstrate Sarawak’s strong commitment to sustainability through innovation, public-private partnerships, and inclusive participation,” he said.
The International Mayors Forum served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among local governments worldwide, strengthening their roles in localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building climate-resilient cities.
