Abang Johari: Sarawak interested to work with any country on sustainable energy
KUCHING, Sept 6 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today said the state is interested in working with like-minded countries, organisations or entities that are similarly committed to a sustainable energy future for the region and world.
He said Sarawak is offering sustainability and renewable energy opportunities to any country and organisation that is equally committed.
“It is our shared responsibility to work together to balance current and future energy demand with sustainability principles,” he said in his keynote address at the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here.
He said with rising energy demand in Southeast Asia, interconnections and intraregional partnerships will be extremely important moving forward, with some reports indicating energy demand in the region has increased on average by around 3 per cent per year over the past two decades.
“Accommodating this growing demand while meeting sustainability requirements will require us to work together, even more closely.
“Each country has their own energy transition plans, tied to their respective needs and circumstances, and within countries, each region, state or province will also have their own pathways,” the premier said.
He stressed as policymakers, they must do their part, providing the necessary political frameworks and programmes to facilitate public-private partnerships and encourage collective action.
“In the face of global warming and a growing climate crisis, it is essential for us to align ourselves and make a shared commitment to balancing people, planet and profit to ensure continued and sustainable prosperity for all,” he said, adding that no one can or should be left behind.
“Whether you are from civil society or the public or private sector, whether you are a politician or a normal citizen, we must all demonstrate leadership and a commitment to work together going forward.
“The decisions we make and actions we take will impact the lives of present and future generations, just as decisions made in the past have led us to our complicated present,” he said.
Abang Johari said as the premier of Sarawak he assures all the delegates from overseas and locally attending the forum that his government is committed to realising a prosperous and sustainable future that is also inclusive and just.
