National Climate Governance Summit 2025
From April 7 to 11, 2025, we had the privilege of attending the National Climate Governance Summit (NCGS) 2025 at Sasana Kijang, Kuala Lumpur. Organized by Climate Governance Malaysia (CGM), this third edition of the summit, themed "Transition Finance: The Foundation of the Transition Economy," brought together over 90 distinguished speakers and featured a comprehensive program of dialogues, workshops, and masterclasses
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, emphasized Malaysia's dedication to prioritizing climate change during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025. He stated that Malaysia aims to strengthen regional cooperation on climate action, aligning with the theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability."
Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, Chairman of the Securities Commission Malaysia, highlighted the capital market's potential as a catalyst for a just transition. He pointed out that the market can direct investments into critical sectors like renewable energy, green technologies, and sustainable agriculture. He also noted that since the release of the Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Sukuk Framework, RM27.61 billion of SRI Sukuk have been issued in Malaysia.
Key Highlights
High-Level Dialogues: The summit commenced with two days of insightful discussions featuring global leaders, regulators, and corporate executives. Notable speakers included Emily Farnworth (Executive Director, Climate Governance Initiative), Rebecca Mikula-Wright (CEO, Asia Investor Group on Climate Change), and Lauren Smart (Global Head of Sustainable, S&P Global).
Workshops and Masterclasses: The subsequent three days were dedicated to capacity-building sessions, offering 14 masterclasses and 11 workshops. These sessions delved into critical topics such as global climate developments, reporting and disclosure practices, and biodiversity conservation.
Side Events: Exclusive sessions like the Investors’ Climate Transition Roundtable and discussions on establishing a Regional Climate Finance Hub provided platforms for targeted dialogues among key stakeholders.
Malaysia's Leadership in Climate Governance
Assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability," Malaysia showcased its commitment to leading the region towards a sustainable future. The summit emphasized Malaysia's potential to:
Leverage multilateral collaborations to attract investments in ASEAN’s transition economy.
Promote the issuance of green and transition bonds.
Establish a regional hub for transition finance.
Integrate carbon markets and pricing mechanisms.
Incentivize investments in key sectors like renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
Champion policy and regulatory support for climate initiatives.
Enhance ASEAN's climate resilience through adaptation projects.
Foster regional solidarity in climate advocacy.
Our Takeaway
Participating in NCGS 2025 was an enlightening experience that reinforced the critical role of transition finance in achieving a sustainable economy. The summit provided valuable insights into the collaborative efforts required across sectors and borders to address climate challenges effectively.
For more information on the summit and its initiatives, visit the official NCGS 2025 website.
