KUCHING: The inaugural World Green & Sustainability Summit
(WGSS) 2023 is scheduled for Sept 4 at the UCSI Hotel here.
Themed ‘Building a Better Future Through Green Growth’, the summit aims to bring together visionaries, experts and leaders across sectors to drive innovative pathways toward global sustainability.
This event is a collaboration between KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI), United Nation Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB), World Green Organisation, World Business Chamber, ASEAN Economic Club, and World Digital Chamber.
KSI President Tan Sri Michael Yeoh emphasised that the summit aims to rally businesses, including SMEs, to endorse and adopt a circular economy and enhance Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals, particularly in the realms of environment and governance.
“KSI is fully committed to the 4Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, and Partnership to ensure sustainable growth, and we urge businesses and civil society organisations to emphasise the 4Ps in their programmes and business models.
“They need to work together in partnership to achieve the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” he said in a statement today.
The summit’s sessions will cover critical topics such as ‘Greening the World,’ which involves global leaders discussing strategies for promoting worldwide sustainability.
Other sessions encompass ‘Green Energy, Green Technology,’ which delves into challenges and breakthroughs in energy transition, and ‘Green Cities and Green Mobility,’ focusing on sustainable urban development and infrastructure.
Moreover, the summit will spotlight achievements in scaling up ESGs, showcasing how organisations are integrating ESG principles into their core operations.
The keynote address will be delivered by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, highlighting Sarawak’s role as a hub for green investments and renewable energy.
Speakers include Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) H.E. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana; Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni.
Others expected at the summit are City Developments Limited Chief Sustainability Officer Esther An; ASEAN Studies Center of Chulalongkorn University Thailand Executive Director Prof Suthiphand Chirathivat; and UN ESCAP Chief Investment and Enterprise Development Tientip Subhanij.
The summit will also confer World Sustainability Excellence Awards, the World Sustainability Leadership Awards, and the World ESG Awards to several recipients, recognising their outstanding contributions in the field of sustainability.
The summit is sponsored by the Sarawak government, Sawit Kinabalu, Samling Group and Rimbunan Hijau Group.
