IPOH, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has made history with the finalisation of the Ipoh Accord, a landmark outcome of the ASEAN-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing (ACMROCH) 2026, currently being held in Ipoh.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the accord reflects the shared commitment of ASEAN member states and China to translate dialogue into concrete action.
"Malaysia is proud to facilitate this strategic cooperation, which will drive sustainable urban development, the provision of quality housing and the building of more cohesive communities for the well-being of the people across the region," he said in a statement today.
Earlier, Nga chaired the ACMROCH 2026 Ministerial Meeting, which was attended by China's Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ni Hong, as well as ministers, deputy ministers, senior government officials and representatives from ASEAN member states.
Held under the theme "Sustainable Cities, Quality Housing, Cohesive Communities," the two-day conference has drawn about 300 participants from across the region.
Nga said the Ipoh Accord recognises housing as a long-term social investment that extends beyond construction costs to emphasise quality, durability, accessibility, maintenance, utility efficiency and overall liveability.
He added that the accord also highlights the importance of creating safe, inclusive and accessible neighbourhoods to strengthen social well-being, foster community trust and enhance societal resilience.
Beyond the adoption of the Ipoh Accord, Nga said ACMROCH 2026 had strengthened cooperation on three fronts, namely government-to-government collaboration through the sharing of policies and best practices; industry collaboration through the adoption of technology, innovation and sustainable solutions; and city-to-city cooperation through the exchange of knowledge and experiences in developing more inclusive, liveable and resilient cities.
"This achievement reflects Malaysia's leadership in bringing regional partners together to realise our shared aspirations of developing sustainable cities, providing quality housing and building communities that are more inclusive, resilient and prosperous.
"The success of ACMROCH 2026 and the finalisation of the Ipoh Accord not only mark a new milestone in ASEAN-China cooperation, but also lay a strong foundation for implementing joint initiatives that promote sustainable urban development, quality housing and more inclusive, resilient and prosperous communities across the region," he said.
Nga also expressed his appreciation to ASEAN member states, the People's Republic of China, the ASEAN Secretariat, delegates, local authorities, strategic partners, industry players, as well as the ministries, departments and agencies whose commitment and cooperation contributed to the success of ACMROCH 2026.
-- BERNAMA