Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre focuses on obesity and microplastics at its second Sustainable September

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (the Centre) and its Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Business Events Alliance (KLCCBEA) are coming together for the second Sustainable September. The event will focus on two of Malaysia’s deepest problems – obesity (the highest rate in Southeast Asia), and microplastics in the Pacific. The event was held under the banner Healthy Planet, Healthy You. “How we conduct ourselves in our environment will return to impact us in the long run,” said John Burke, general manager of the Centre. To address the issue of obesity, several activities are lined up throughout September, including Pound Fit and yoga. The Ministry of Health released the White Paper for Malaysia in June of last year, in which it reported that Malaysia has the highest prevalence of obesity in Southeast Asia. To tackle microplastics, consideration will also be given to the necessity of recycling. The UN Environmental Programme notes that 19-23m tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems. According to the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific’s Closing the Loop on Plastic Pollution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Baseline Report, 161,000 tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually. Over 3,000 tonnes of plastics are emitted into the environment, and 653 tonnes enter waterways as marine litter every year. This results in the entry of microplastics into the Malaysian diet, with Malaysians consuming about 15g of microplastics each month. Sustainable September also incorporates a charity element and the KLCCBEA and the precinct partners will work closely together with URBANICE Malaysia on its initiative to create liveable cities, with a framework that will carry on year-round. “Every step towards sustainability counts,” said Datuk Md Shah. “What we launch at Sustainability September is an invitation for Malaysians to examine how we approach our planet and health… The collective commitment by KLCCBEA to Sustainable September is a testament to how significant impacts begin with small changes embraced by a larger community.” For more information on Sustainable September and the KLCCBEA’s policy on sustainability, please visit here.