KUCHING: Malaysia is enhancing its efforts to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by utilising the Voluntary Local Review (VLR), a tool designed to assess SDG progress at local level.
According to Deputy Minister of Economy, Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib, VLR is important in identifying both gaps and strengths in the country’s journey towards sustainable development.
“The Voluntary Local Review helps us gauge the level of participation of each state and local authority in the SDGs.
“It’s not about right or wrong answers but about identifying what’s missing and where our advantages lie. This allows us to provide more guidance and information to areas in need,” she said.
She said this to reporters at the Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (Perkim) Charity Half Marathon 2024, which was also attended by the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, at the Sarawak State Library today.
The VLR poses a set of questions related to each SDG, enabling the government to collect vital data.
This information will guide future policy decisions and highlight areas where Malaysia can strengthen its efforts, particularly in tackling critical issues like gender equality, social inequality, and poverty.
She said that gender equality remains an area requiring more focus, and the VLR will ensure targeted improvements.
“We need collective participation in raising awareness and contributing to these initiatives. The SDGs are not just global objectives but also reflect the local changes necessary to enhance lives,” she added.
In addition to the VLR, the Malaysia SDG Summit is scheduled for Sept 17-18 this year.
The summit aims to facilitate discussions among government officials, NGOs, and the public, gathering insights on enhancing SDG implementation across various states.
