UK-MALAYSIA GREEN TRANSPORT DIALOGUE DEEPEN CLIMATE-FOCUSED PARTNERSHIP

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- The United Kingdom (UK) and Malaysia are set to deepen cooperation in developing a more sustainable, integrated and future-ready transport system in Malaysia.

British High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma said the inaugural UK-Malaysia Green Transport Dialogue held from Feb 10 to 11 reflects the growing character of UK-Malaysia relations, which are increasingly defined by a shared commitment to addressing climate change.

“Drawing from decades of green transport policy development, institutional reform and operational expertise, the UK has proven industry experience in designing, managing and optimising multimodal transport systems that support sustainable urban development,” he said in a statement issued Wednesday.

Sharma said the UK stands ready to support Malaysia’s vision to scale up low-carbon public transport, accelerate electrification and embed sustainability into urban development.

The statement stated that building on the momentum from this inaugural event, the UK and Malaysia will continue exploring how shared insights and expertise might support Malaysia’s long-term aspirations for an integrated and sustainable transport system.

The two-day dialogue was jointly organised by the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s Transport Ministry (MOT) and the Malaysia Rail Development Corporation (MRDC).

It served as a key platform for the open exchange of ideas on policy approaches, planning frameworks, technological innovation and operational best practices in green transport.

Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including integrated transport governance, transit-oriented development, first and last mile connectivity, sustainable rail development, modern tram design, bus network optimisation and financing.

Experts from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme, including Transport for London, Crossrail International and Connected Places Catapult, shared lessons from the UK’s experience in delivering sustainable transport solutions.

The event was attended by the Division Secretary of the Strategic and International Planning Division at MOT Malaysia, Dr Siti Muhaza Sh Zainal, as well as policymakers, transport authorities and industry leaders from both countries.

The dialogue was supported by the UK’s Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme (GCIEP), a UK government initiative that assists partner countries such as Malaysia in delivering sustainable, climate-resilient urban infrastructure by leveraging the UK’s technical expertise to catalyse investment in greener and more inclusive cities.

-- BERNAMA