KUALA LUMPUR: The government has agreed to set up a National Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) centre aimed at empowering and accelerating programmes for a better and sustainable future for the nation.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, in a statement today, said the centre will also monitor the progress and implementation of all SDG-related programmes.

He said the National SDG centre will be placed under the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister's Department.

"This sustainable development agenda requires comprehensive and inclusive participation from all parties to boost the awareness of the people on the ground." 

The government, he said, also agreed for all state governments through their respective local authorities at the district and municipal levels to prepare a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) report.

Ismail Sabri said each state should prepare at least one VLR report.

"Each state is encouraged to prepare this report as a guide to monitor the progress of the nation towards national development growth in order to create a balance between social, environmental and economic aspects."

In addition, he said the Environment and Water Ministry has been urged to finalise its framework on the carbon market by the end of this year.

This, he said, is to facilitate Malaysia's aspiration to become a low carbon emission nation.

"The government is committed to strengthening measures and achieving all 17 SDG goals of the 2030 Agenda in our effort to transform the country into a sustainable nation by 2030 through the involvement of all people towards the social development of the country."