University Set to Host Landmark Sustainability Event in April

As the world grapples with pressing challenges posed by environmental changes, the burgeoning planetary health movement has emerged with the aim of finding a more resilient future.

The movement calls for ideas and solutions across various sectors and disciplines to better manage our planet’s resources to safeguard human health.

In an unprecedented move, the Planetary Health Annual Meeting will be held in Asia for the first time.

Sunway University and Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) will be hosting the event in Kuala Lumpur from April 16 to 19.

The PHA is a global consortium of over 400 universities, non- governmental organisations, research institutes and government bodies seeking to address challenges facing humanity.

The summit at the university campus will blend academic discourse with practical solutions, featuring lectures by keynote speakers, interactive sessions and the launch of impactful publications like Planet Saving Meals Cookbook and Planetary Health Playbook.A total of 1,500 participants are expected, including policymakers and industry leaders from over 60 countries.

With this year’s theme “From Evidence to Action: Confronting Reality”, the summit is set to underscore Asia’s pivotal role in addressing planetary health challenges.

Sunway Centre for Planetary Health executive director Prof Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood emphasised the need for immediate action.

“We are pleased to host this event at the university but it must not be simply talking shop or purely an opportunity to showcase Malaysia,” Jemilah said at a press conference.

“We are here to debate issues which are essential to the ability of the planet and people to thrive together.

“Sunway University is committed to fostering a productive environment so tangible outcomes can emerge,” she added.

Sunway University president Prof Sibrandes Poppema highlighted the need to ingrain the goals of the planetary health movement into the population, especially the younger generation, as environmental change would critically affect everybody in the future.

“If the planet cannot be healthy, we cannot be healthy.”

This article was first published in Beritakini on 9 March, 2024.