OPENING ADDRESS FOR THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON THE MIDTERM REVIEW OF THE NEW URBAN AGENDA

OPENING ADDRESS

FOR

THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON THE MIDTERM REVIEW

OF THE NEW URBAN AGENDA

DELIVERED BY:

THE HONOURABLE MR. NGA KOR MING

PRESIDENT OF UN-HABITAT ASSEMBLY AND

MINISTER OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, MALAYSIA

16^th July 2026

UN Headquarters | New York, United States of Amerika

I. SALUTATIONS

1. Her Excellency President of the General Assembly, Madame Annalena Baerbock
2. His Excellency Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. António Guterres
3. Her Excellency Executive Director of UN-Habitat, Madame Anacláudia Rossbach
4. Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.

II. OPENING

1. Ten years ago, in Quito, Ecuador, we collectively endorsed the New Urban Agenda, a blueprint to accelerate inclusive urban action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Today, we have an opportunity to recommit to the New Urban Agenda. More importantly as we assess the gap between commitments and achievement, we are talking about the living conditions, dignity, and the future of billions of urban citizens.

2. Allow me to recall our collective resolve in a proverb from my homeland, Malaysia:

"Bulat air kerana pembetung, bulat manusia kerana muafakat."

Water is shaped by its contour but humanity is strengthened by  cooperation. We survive and thrive when we strengthen multilateral action, when we act as one.

III.  RECALLING THE JOURNEY

3. In the past decade, it is increasingly difficult to benefit from the urbanisation mega-trend. The world has become more complex with conflicts and a cost of living crisis affecting every region. The gaps in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda means we are moving backwards in the development field. But the Quadrennial Report makes clear that the key pillars of the New Urban Agenda remains relevant. Sustainable urban action helps drive social inclusion, eradicate poverty; support sustainable economic frameworks and catalyse climate-resilient spatial development.

4. I must express my deepest gratitude to the President of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, Her Excellency Annalena Baerbock, for chairing this High-Level Meeting; co-facilitators Poland and Malawi who steered the declaration consultations; and the UN-Habitat Secretariat, led by the Executive Director Ms Anaclaudia Rossbach, for the report and comprehensive preparations. Not forgetting the local and regional governments, civil society networks, and grassroots stakeholders who serve on the frontlines implementing the New Urban Agenda on the ground.

IV.  REINFORCING MALAYSIA’S LEADERSHIP

5. As the President of the UN-Habitat Assembly, Malaysia calls on Member States to strengthen the role of the UN-Habitat Assembly as the policy-making body for sustainable urbanisation and urban climate action. Here, the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnership (CHAMP) is playing a critical role in mainstreaming Zero Waste and other critical climate adaptation policies, helping to galvanise financing.

6. Alongside Member States, the Malaysian Presidency established the Asia-Pacific Urban Agenda Platform (AP-UAP). This vital instrument help operationalise the principles of the New Urban Agenda by localising sustainable development goals, facilitating cross-border knowledge transfers, and scaling up green infrastructure financing.

V.  PRESIDENT’S CALL TO ACTION: THE HORIZON OF 2030

Distingushed delegates,

7. A midterm review is meaningless if it merely documents our shortfalls. It must be an inflection point. I issue a global Call to Action: let us translate the political declarations we negotiate in these halls into brick, mortar, policy, and equity on the ground. We must address the global housing crisis, bridge the urban digital divide, and de-risk our cities against extreme climate events. I call upon Member States to provide critical resources to the Secretariat to ensure that multilateral action is coordinated and effective. Malaysia continues to provide earmarked funding of USD 200,000 per-annum to UN-Habitat including for the New Urban Agenda platform to ensure policy is translated into practice.

VI.  CLOSING

8. Distinguished delegates, as we turn towards the final stretch to 2030, let us reflect on the enduring wisdom of the great Eastern philosopher, Confucius, who taught us:

"The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools."

9. Excellencies, this Midterm Review is our opportunity to sharpen our tools. The blueprint is in our hands; the diligence must now be proven in our actions.

10. Let us leave this high-level meeting with more than just a renewed declaration. Let us leave with an unshakeable covenant to build cities that leave no one, and no place, behind.

Thank you, and terima kasih.