By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 8: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg expects new insights from the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) Annual Conference to build a resilient Sarawak.
He said beyond robust physical infrastructure, resilience is also about inclusive society, which means that the government works closely with the communities and stakeholders to provide all Sarawakians equal opportunities to participate in the region’s overall development and enjoy equitable distribution of wealth through jobs and business opportunities.
“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.
He said this in a speech text read by Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas during IAIA’s 42nd Annual Conference held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
With the theme ‘Resilience through Impact Assessment and Leadership’, the Conference would discuss environmental and social sustainability, Climate change impact assessments and management, and the key challenges and future trends for ESG and impact investing practices for the coming years.
Abang Johari stated that as environmental sustainability is integral to Sarawak’s development initiatives, it must ensure a clean and healthy environment for current and future generations.
The Sarawak government has formulated the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which dwells in 13 sectors and presents a cohesive and robust strategy necessary to address the worldwide economic disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic to achieve its target of becoming a developed region by 2030.
“Moving forward, Sarawak will innovate using data to increase productivity, develop high-value products, improve the safety of our people and assets, and enhance environmental conservation efforts.
“I am confident we can realise Sarawak’s 2030 aspirations as we have efficient civil service and a proactive private sector that are working very hard to develop Sarawak,” he added.
This is the first time the IAIA Conference was held in Malaysia and the second time in Asia.
Over 600 IA professionals from 79 countries made the trip to attend this year’s event.
IAIA 2023 delegates will discuss how we can develop a multipronged, multidisciplinary approach to tackling global issues, such as climate change, Covid-19 and future pandemics, and humanitarian crises using impact assessment.
It will also feature presentations relating to advances made in impact assessment that exemplify agility, transformation, innovation, leadership, sustainability, and resilience. — DayakDaily
