Malaysia marked a new milestone in regional housing and urban cooperation following the finalisation of the Ipoh Accord at the ASEAN–China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing, or ACMROCH 2026.
Held under the theme “Sustainable Cities, Quality Housing, Cohesive Communities,” the conference brought together around 300 participants, including ministers, senior government officials and representatives from ASEAN member states and China.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said ACMROCH 2026 served as an important platform for strengthening regional cooperation in addressing urbanisation, housing and sustainable urban development challenges.
The meeting was also attended by China’s Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Ni Hong, alongside ministers, deputy ministers and senior officials from across the region.
ACMROCH 2026 Turns Regional Dialogue Into Action
One of the main outcomes of the conference was the Ipoh Accord, which reflected a shared commitment among ASEAN member states and China to translate policy discussions into concrete regional 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 people across the region,” Nga said.
The accord recognises that housing should be viewed as a long-term social investment, rather than being measured solely by its construction cost.
It places greater emphasis on quality, durability, accessibility, maintenance, utility efficiency and overall liveability.
The Ipoh Accord also highlights the importance of developing safe, inclusive and accessible neighbourhoods that can strengthen social wellbeing, build community trust and improve societal resilience.
According to Nga, the finalisation of the accord demonstrated the ability of ACMROCH 2026 to move beyond discussion and establish a stronger foundation for future cooperation.
Three Main Goals Of ACMROCH 2026
Nga said the conference was guided by three closely connected goals: sustainability, quality housing and cohesive communities.
Sustainability means allowing cities to grow while protecting the environment and placing people at the centre of development.
Quality housing involves ensuring that the benefits of economic and urban growth are reflected in homes that are safe, comfortable and reliable.
The third goal, cohesive communities, focuses on ensuring that progress brings people closer together while building trust and creating a shared future for all.
Nga said these goals were aligned with the wider mission of UN-Habitat to develop cities that are sustainable, inclusive and resilient.
“Through ACMROCH 2026, we will guide urban growth with wisdom, innovation and sustainability,” he said in his keynote address.
Rapid Urbanisation Increasing Pressure On Cities
Nga said sustainable, affordable and climate-resilient urban management had become an urgent challenge affecting hundreds of millions of people.
More than 57% of the global population now lives in urban areas. Asia is home to more than half of the world’s urban population, with the region’s urbanisation rate exceeding 54%.
China has reached an urbanisation rate of around 67%, while Malaysia’s rate stands at approximately 78%.
According to Nga, this large-scale population shift is placing greater structural pressure on regional infrastructure, housing supply and energy systems.
“The need for sustainable, affordable and climate-resilient urban management is no longer merely a policy discussion. It is now an undeniable challenge affecting the daily lives of hundreds of millions of people,” he said.
Ipoh Accord Strengthens Cooperation On Three Fronts
Beyond the formal adoption of the Ipoh Accord, ACMROCH 2026 strengthened regional cooperation across three key areas.
The first was government-to-government cooperation through the exchange of policies, strategies and best practices.
The second involved industry collaboration, particularly in adopting technology, innovation and sustainable solutions within the housing and construction sectors.
The third was city-to-city cooperation, enabling local governments to exchange knowledge and experiences in developing more inclusive, resilient and liveable cities.
Nga said the achievement reflected Malaysia’s leadership in bringing regional partners together to pursue the shared goals of sustainable cities, quality housing and stronger communities.
Malaysia Strengthens Its Regional Leadership
Malaysia’s role as President of the UN-Habitat Assembly also places the country in a position to support the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
Nga said the same people-centred philosophy formed part of Malaysia MADANI, where progress must be guided by clear values and ethical considerations.
“We want to build cities that respond to people’s natural needs, neighbourhoods where children can grow up happily, and public spaces that improve people’s lives,” he said.
He added that the vision was aligned with the 13th Malaysia Plan and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which seek to build a more resilient, forward-looking and people-centred region.
The successful organisation of ACMROCH 2026 and the finalisation of the Ipoh Accord marked a new chapter in ASEAN–China cooperation.
The outcome also established a stronger foundation for joint initiatives aimed at advancing sustainable urban development, quality housing and more inclusive, resilient and prosperous communities across the region.
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