Malaysia calls for greater inclusion in ASEAN urban governance

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 13 (Prensa Latina) Malaysia called on the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for inclusivity as a standard in urban governance, during a regional bloc forum in this capital.

August 13, 2025
11:14

Representatives from its member states, urban leaders, civil society groups, and regional partners shared views and supported the launch of the ASEAN Urban Women for Resilience and Transformative Sustainable Actions (AURORA) initiative.

Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Federal Territories of Malaysia, noted that while women represent half of 680 million people living in ASEAN’s urban areas, their representation in decision-making bodies remains disproportionately low.

According to data presented at the forum, in some ASEAN local councils, women hold less than 20 percent of the seats.

Kuala Lumpur Conference Center hosted the event, promoted as “A Women-Led Cities Initiative in ASEAN Aurora: ASEAN Urban Women for Resilience and Transformative Sustainable Actions.”

Malaysia currently presides over the regional bloc, also consisting of Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Brunei, and Myanmar.

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