Nga Kor Ming calls for global cooperation on quality housing at World Cities Day 2026 Forum
Malaysian Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming urged stronger global cooperation to deliver quality housing based on affordability, liveability, connectivity and access to amenities. Speaking at the World Cities Day 2026 Forum in Fuzhou, China, he also highlighted the Ipoh Accord betwe
PETALING JAYA (Nov 2): Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has called for stronger global cooperation to deliver quality housing based on four standards: affordability, liveability, connectivity and access to comprehensive amenities. Nga, who is also president of the UN-Habitat Assembly, said meeting these standards required cooperation among governments, property developers, construction industry players and the wider community.
According to a statement, he made the call at the World Cities Day 2026 Forum themed “Building High Quality Housing for the People” in Fuzhou, China, on Sunday (Nov 1). “Housing should not merely be treated as a commodity for buying and selling, but as a place where every family can build a secure and stable life,” he said. “We must not only ensure that people can afford to buy a home, but also that they can live with peace of mind, comfort and dignity.”
Nga said quality housing must be supported by inclusive, well-connected communities with access to public transport, schools, hospitals, parks and community facilities. “Good houses alone are not enough. We also need good communities. A neighbourhood filled with high-rise buildings but lacking human connection is nothing more than a concrete jungle,” he added.
He also called for wider adoption of artificial intelligence, green building practices and smart construction technologies to improve construction quality, enhance energy efficiency and strengthen urban resilience against climate change and natural disasters. The success of urban development should be measured by improvements in people’s quality of life, rather than simply the number of skyscrapers built, he said.
Nga said ASEAN and China had reached the Ipoh Accord at the Fourth ASEAN-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing, held in Ipoh, Perak, on Aug 1, 2026, to deepen cooperation in housing and urban development. He said the accord focuses on three areas: green buildings and low-carbon technologies; the rehabilitation of ageing buildings and urban renewal; and improvements to community living environments.
Nga expressed confidence that continued cooperation between Malaysia and China would strengthen bilateral relations while advancing cooperation between ASEAN and China. He added that housing and community planning should address the needs of both current and future generations, and urged governments and stakeholders worldwide to work together to build quality homes, harmonious communities and sustainable cities.
