Kuala Lumpur, 20 November 2025 – Malaysia today officially launches the National Planetary Health Action Plan (NPHAP), a bold, science‑driven roadmap designed to safeguard human health by protecting the natural systems on which we all depend. Unveiled by the government, the NPHAP charts a whole‑of‑nation approach to integrate environmental sustainability, public health, and economic resilience.
A Global Recognition for Malaysia’s Commitment
Prior to its launch, Malaysia’s forthcoming NPHAP was formally recognised by the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) during the 2025 Planetary Health Annual Meeting (PHAM) in Rotterdam, Netherlands. At that event, Prof Dr Samuel Myers (PHA Faculty Director) presented the recognition to the Chair of the NPHAP, Academician Prof Emerita Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, acknowledging Malaysia as among the select group of countries advancing science‑based solutions for planetary and human health. This international acknowledgement underscores the significance of NPHAP not only domestically but also within a global planetary‑health movement.
A Whole-of-Nation Response to a Global Crisis
The NPHAP is Malaysia’s first comprehensive framework explicitly connecting ecological integrity with public health, economic development, and societal well-being. Developed through extensive multi-sectoral engagement involving over 3,500 contributors, the plan reflects a “Whole-of-Nation” commitment grounded in values of sustainability, resilience, and intergenerational equity.
At its core, the NPHAP defines six Mission-Critical Key Result Areas (KRAs):
- Governance
- Environment and Health
- Sustainable Food
- Research and Education
- Energy Transition
- Values and Behavioural Change
Each KRA is designed to catalyse systemic transformation in policy, institutions, industry, and civil society—moving Malaysia beyond isolated reforms toward integrated solutions for planetary and human health.
Universiti Malaya’s Contribution to the National Agenda
The Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya played a pivotal role in shaping the Environment and Health agenda, with Academician Distinguished Professor Datuk Dr Looi Lai Meng, Prof Dr Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, and Prof Dr Victor Hoe Chee Wai serving as key contributors to the plan. Their expertise strengthened the plan’s focus on:
- Integrating ecosystem restoration with preventive public health strategies,
- Promoting nature-based solutions to reduce disease risks,
- Addressing pollution and climate vulnerabilities in marginalised communities.
This contribution exemplifies the Faculty’s long-standing commitment to translational research and community-centred public health.
Relevance to Public Health
The NPHAP’s launch comes at a critical juncture where climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss increasingly threaten public health. From rising non-communicable diseases linked to environmental degradation to new zoonotic risks emerging from habitat destruction, the intersections of environmental and human health are no longer theoretical; they are urgent and tangible.
For public health professionals, the NPHAP offers a transformative lens through which to:
- Embed environmental accountability in health policies and workplace standards.
- Advocate for healthy ecosystems as part of disease prevention strategies.
- Promote cross-sector collaborations for healthier, climate-resilient communities.
Looking Forward
The NPHAP is not merely a document but a national mission, an invitation to every Malaysian to participate in building a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable future. As Malaysia positions itself as a regional leader in planetary health, the Faculty of Medicine at Universiti Malaya stands ready to support research, training, and policy translation aligned with this vision.
Acknowledgement
We commend the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and all contributors, especially our colleagues from Universiti Malaya, for their leadership in this landmark initiative.
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