Malaysia's SDG Achievement to Hit 43 Per Cent By 2030 -- Minister Hanifah Hajar

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 (Bernama) -- Based on the latest analysis using 2022 data, the target achievement rate for the country's sustainable development goals (SDGs) by 2030 is projected at 43 per cent compared to the global average of 17 per cent, said Deputy Economy Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib.

She said that 12 out of the 17 SDGs show a positive trend.

Hanifah said that among the better-performing SDGs is SDG 1: No Poverty, which has seen a 6.2 per cent reduction in absolute poverty.

"This is followed by SDG 5: Gender Equality, with the enforcement of the Sexual Harassment Act 2022 and the operation of the Sexual Harassment Tribunal starting March 2024.

"SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - has seen encouraging performance regarding access to electricity at 99.7 per cent and renewable energy usage at its highest level of 19.7 per cent.

"This (SDG 7's performance) is contributed by efforts such as new hydro-energy production and the construction of the largest floating solar farm in Sarawak," she told the Dewan Rakyat (Malaysian Parliament) on Wednesday.

The deputy minister was responding to a question from a Member of Parliament regarding Malaysia's achievements in each of the 17 aspects of the United Nations (UN) SDGs and the challenges in realising all those goals.

Hanifah said that among the challenges faced in realising the SDGs are governance and the high level of dependence on the government in planning and implementation.

"Collaboration among all stakeholders needs to be enhanced and coordinated to help reduce overlaps and optimise resource use.

"Both aspects of capacity, limited financing, technological advancement including varying levels of awareness and SDG practices," she said.

Hanifah said that implementation challenges, such as issues that overlap different ministries and states, require a comprehensive approach from all stakeholders.

She added other challenges involve external and uncontrollable issues such as climate change and geopolitical threats, as well as infrastructure matters that require significant allocations in the transition to renewable energy use.

The next round of analysis on the progress of achieving the SDGs will be conducted in 2026 using data from 2025.

-- BERNAMA