By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 15: Sarawak’s drive toward a circular economy and sustainability took the global spotlight as Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng presented at the 2025 International Mayors Forum in Japan, held from Oct 14 to 16.
Wee delivered a paper titled “Promoting a Circular Economy Towards Zero Waste and a Resilient Society: The Kuching Experience” during a session focused on circular solutions and sustainable waste management.
He highlighted that Sarawak’s circular economy initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability through innovation, public-private partnerships, and inclusive community participation.
“These include efforts to convert oil palm kernel waste into biomass, animal feed, and biofuel, as well as the exploration of hydrogen production from livestock waste, both aligning with Sarawak’s drive to expand green technologies,” he said.
Wee added that these initiatives are in line with the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which places circular economy growth and environmental stewardship at the centre of Sarawak’s sustainable development agenda.
The forum brought together city councils and local governments from 39 countries to exchange ideas on sustainable urban growth and climate resilience. It was organised by the United Nations Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) under the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
Wee also shared how MBKS has advanced waste management in Kuching through initiatives such as the iBuyBack recycling app, community waste campaigns, and data-driven waste tracking systems.
“We believe that sustainability begins at the local level. When citizens, industries, and governments work together, we can transform waste into worth and challenges into opportunities for future generations,” he said.
He concluded that MBKS’s participation at the international forum reflects Malaysia’s continuing efforts to promote sustainable growth and circular economy practices. — DayakDaily
