KUCHING: The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) 2023 will provide new insights to transform Sarawak’s economy through its impact assessment and leadership.
In stating this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that building an increasingly resilient Sarawak was an ongoing journey with the results hinging on the combined efforts of the government, communities and stakeholders.
He added that beyond robust physical infrastructure, resilience was also about inclusive society; this meant that the government had to work closely with its communities and stakeholders to provide all Sarawakians with equal opportunities to participate in the state’s overall development and enjoy equitable distribution of wealth through jobs and business opportunities.
“This IAIA 2023 will give new insights into how impact assessment and leadership can accelerate the transformation and sustain resilience in a world marred by adversities that require immediate, impactful solutions,” he said.
Abang Johari said this in his speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during IAIA’s 42nd Annual Conference held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today (May 8).
He said the conference, which carried the theme of ‘Resilience through Impact Assessment and Leadership’, would discuss environmental and social sustainability, climate change impact assessments and management and the key challenges and future trends for environmental, social and governance (ESG) and impact investing practices for the coming years.
“The topics will provide many new insights into our development initiatives.
“As Sarawak aspires to be a developed state by 2030, moving forward, it will innovate using data to increase productivity, develop high-value products, improve the safety of our people and assets as well as enhance environmental conservation efforts.
“As such, I am confident we can realise Sarawak’s 2030 aspirations as we have an efficient civil service and a proactive private sector that are working very hard to develop the state,” he said.
