UNDP Launch of Human Development Report
“Sustainability and Equity, a better future for all”
25th November 2011
KL
Josie M. Fernandez
Secretary General, TI-M
Sustainability and Equity
A mother in Bhutan feeds her children while working in the fields. Defending the Future,
IIED/Earthscan, 1991 (Source: Poverty: Rallying for Change – World Consumer Rights Day
1998, Consumers International)
Malaysia embraces sustainable
development
Two factors influenced Malaysia to embrace
sustainable development:
• The first was the country’s growing diplomatic
influence. Economic success had earned Malaysia
the respect and confidence of the developing world,
and as a leader of the Group of 77
• The second factor that drew Malaysia towards
sustainable development was the allegation of
wanton deforestation, voiced by the international
community.
The plight of the Penan people in Sarawak, whose
homelands were being indiscriminately logged, had
gained notoriety ……
Ad hoc national policy processes
• The National Steering Committee (NSC) on
Sustainable Development was established in
1990 with wide-ranging membership of key
national planning and line agencies.
• A surge of media attention to sustainable
development established the concept in the
general public awareness.
• The need to strengthen interagency coordination
was also recognized with a plan to set up a
National Council for the Environment (Malaysia,
The Six Malaysia Plan, 1991-1995). Not followed
up
Forestry and biodiversity
• Malaysia also undertook a review of its policy
framework resulting in amendments to the
National Forestry Act in 1993
• A comprehensive study of the nation’s green
policy, the National Conservation Strategy, was
completed in 1993
Multilateral environmental agreements
• Malaysia is a party to a number of multilateral
environmental agreements (MEAs), which
have been important drivers of environmental
policy implementation within the country
Foreign aid
• An important new aspect during this phase was
the catalytic role played by foreign aid.
Commencing in 1994, the Danish Cooperation
for Environment and Development (DANCED)
played an important role in improving Malaysia’s
policy process and capacity for environmental
planning.
The future of sustainable development and
equity in Malaysia
• An independent evaluation of the
implementation of Agenda 21 in Malaysia for the
World Summit of Sustainable Development
(WSSD) by a consortium of non-governmental
organizations in Malaysia concluded (MNF for
Rio+10, 2003) that:
“In essence, the words are in the right place but in
truth the actions are not. The commitment and focus to
implement sustainable development practices is not
forthcoming.”
Focus on economic growth hampering
sustainability and equity?
• The Third Outline Perspective Plan (20012010) maintains that the nation will pursue
‘environmentally sustainable development
to reinforce long-term growth’
• Economic growth is still the overarching
objective
Recommendations for Joint
Sustainability / Equity Approach in
Sustainability Development Policies
• Redefine sustainability
• Political will and commitment needed for policy
integration that reflects sustainability and equity
approach with indicators
• A comprehensive reform of environmental and
natural resource legislation to include
sustainable development and equity
• Develop and implement sustainability and equity
plans for climate change impact
Cont…
• Build the regulatory capacity of staff
• Address abuse of power/corruption in
forestry/land/water/energy
• Institutionalize Sustainability/Equity
(Community empowerment, policy
integration….)
Sustainability and Equity cannot remain a
marginal consideration, but must be
accepted as core imperatives in policy
and governance.
Thank You...