Selangor Strengthens Sustainable Planning Through SDG Localization Workshop
BANGSAR, 22 Oct 2025 — The Selangor Climate Adaptation Center (SCAC), in collaboration with the Selangor Economic Planning Unit (UPEN Selangor), successfully organized a two-day workshop titled “SDG Localization Workshop in Setting the Strategic Direction of the First and Second Selangor Plans.”
The workshop aimed to enhance the understanding of local councils on integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Selangor’s development plans, namely Rancangan Selangor Pertama (RS-1) and Rancangan Selangor Kedua (RS-2), to ensure that economic growth, social well-being, and environmental resilience advance in tandem.
The opening session featured Zoel Ng from the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on SDG (APPGM-SDG), who highlighted the importance of connecting SDG and ESG principles with state-level planning.
“The SDGs offer a universal framework—but meaningful change happens when we localise our planning. By aligning global goals with the unique needs of our communities, we ensure that our people, our nation, and our environment are truly cared for,” she said.
Participants also gained valuable insights from PwC Malaysia’s presentation on RS-1 and RS-2. The firm shared key achievements from RS-1 and introduced the main focus areas for RS-2 (2026–2030), which include digitalisation, poverty reduction, and land optimisation.
From Policy to Practice
The second day featured interactive activities such as the SDG 2030 Game and sessions on impact measurement projects led by Zoel Ng.
These sessions encouraged participants to translate theory into practical action — helping government agencies identify which SDG targets align with their programmes and how to communicate these impacts effectively to the public.
Participants also reflected on the importance of a mindset shift, noting that sustainability efforts must extend beyond surface-level initiatives, such as recycling, to address deeper, systemic issues.
SCAC’s Role in Building a Resilient Selangor
As a co-host, SCAC emphasised the need to integrate climate adaptation strategies into Selangor’s SDG roadmap.
SCAC Executive Director Daniel Lee Marn Zhi said, “Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can strengthen development planning in Selangor and deliver direct benefits to local communities.”
This aligns with SCAC’s mission to promote climate resilience and data-driven decision-making within state development planning.
Commitment to Inclusive and Sustainable Growth
The workshop served as more than just a discussion platform. It was a practical step toward building a shared understanding of how global goals can be implemented at the local level. For the participating local councils and government agencies, the key takeaway was clear: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) begins with understanding how to integrate them into everyday planning and decision-making. Through hands-on sessions and open dialogue, participants learned how to connect their programmes to specific SDG targets, assess their impact, and communicate results that truly benefit communities.
This process, known as localisation, is important because global goals only make a difference when they are turned into actions that meet local needs. Local councils play a key role in this, as they work directly with communities and understand their unique challenges. When councils incorporate sustainability into their planning, it ensures that the SDGs are not just ideas on paper, but part of real improvements in people’s lives.
By hosting this workshop, SCAC and UPEN Selangor aimed to strengthen the capacity of local councils to apply sustainability principles in local contexts. This initiative also reaffirmed their inter-agency collaboration, ensuring that Selangor’s development remains inclusive, data-informed, and climate-conscious. Above all, the programme reinforced Selangor’s commitment to progress that leaves no one behind, building a future where every community can share in the state’s growth and resilience.
