Mohd. Rizal bin Osman: Urban resilience also includes food safety issues

In the face of geopolitical crises, conflicts, and accelerating climate change, cities must rely on data and evidence when formulating sustainable development policies, Dr. Mohd. Rizal Bin Osman, Chief Operating Officer of URBANICE Malaysia, said at a training event using the Asia-Pacific Urban Agenda Platform (AP-UAP) at WUF13 in Baku, Report informs.

He stated that current global challenges, including supply chain disruptions and increasing climate disasters, require strengthened approaches to building resilient cities, where a key first step is recognizing risks based on data and evidence.

"The AP-UAP helps localize 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 bin Osman emphasized that in Malaysia, disaster risk management is coordinated at the national and local levels through relevant committees, ensuring collaboration between federal, regional, and municipal governments.

"City resilience encompasses not only physical infrastructure but also the social component, including food security through urban agriculture and community strengthening," he noted.

He added that Malaysia already faces a variety of natural hazards, including flash floods, landslides, coastal erosion, and urban flooding, requiring a differentiated approach for each type of territory.