URBANICE Malaysia at WUF13: Climate disasters require more resilient responses

Cities must increasingly rely on data-driven and evidence-based policymaking to withstand geopolitical shocks, supply chain disruptions and intensifying climate risks, a Malaysian urban resilience official said on May 20.

Dr Mohd. Rizal Bin Osman, Chief Operating Officer of URBANICE Malaysia, told a training session on the Asia-Pacific Urban Agenda Platform (AP-UAP) at the World Urban Forum 13 (WUF13) in Baku that governments must prioritise risk identification as a first step towards building resilient urban systems, local media reports.

He said the AP-UAP framework was helping translate global and national urban policies into practical measures at state and city levels, particularly in areas such as disaster risk reduction.

“The AP-UAP helps localise global and national policies, translating them into practical actions at the state and city levels, including disaster risk reduction measures,” he said.

Dr Mohd Rizal said disaster risk management in Malaysia is coordinated through structured mechanisms at both national and local levels, involving cooperation between federal, regional and municipal authorities.

He added that urban resilience extends beyond infrastructure, encompassing social dimensions such as food security, including urban agriculture and stronger community networks.

Malaysia already faces multiple climate-related hazards, he said, including flash floods, landslides, coastal erosion and urban flooding, requiring tailored responses depending on local geography and risk profiles.