Council on Energy, Environment and Water Integrated | International | Independent
Kuala Lumpur, 27 February 2025: A seismic shift in Asia’s green economy is underway. The Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, two major think-tanks, have inked a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding (MoU) to turbocharge India-Malaysia cooperation on sustainability.
The MoU is one of the outcomes of a joint Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia and the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur’s conference titled ‘India’s Act East Policy in the second decade: perspectives from ASEAN and India.’
As both India and Malaysia scale up their climate ambitions, this collaboration will serve as a launchpad to shape climate-resilient economic pathways and act as a catalyst for regional climate action. The tie-up makes the bold declaration that the Global South is leading the charge towards a net-zero future.
The collaboration is a key step under the broader India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reinforcing the two nations’ shared commitment to sustainability driven economic growth.
The two organisations will jointly publish high-impact research and convene key stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders and financiers, to advance investment in green technologies, accelerate energy transitions, and shape climate-resilient economic pathways.
Why is this a game-changer?
Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Chairman, Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia: “The AEP provides an invaluable opportunity for India and ASEAN member states to strengthen collaboration on climate, environmental, and biodiversity issues in the years ahead. As countries of the Global South, we share a profound responsibility to advance these efforts through innovative financing, technology sharing and capacity building towards a greener, more equitable global economy. The impacts of climate change are most stark in the Indo-Pacific region. Rising seas threaten our coasts, erratic weather disrupts our food security and resource depletion tests our economies. Yet, we do not wait for solutions. We pioneer them. Our nations are leading with action by scaling renewables, securing energy equity and strengthening resilience to ensure that sustainability is not a privilege, but a right.”
Dr Dhruba Purkayastha, Director for Growth and Institutional Advancement, Council on Energy, Environment and Water, said: “This MoU marks a pivotal step in advancing Indo-ASEAN cooperation on green economic leadership for the Global South. Governments play a crucial role in setting the frameworks for this transformation, but true progress demands collective leadership beyond policy. As think tanks, our role is to provide the evidence, insights, and strategic vision needed to drive both thought and action. Industry must be empowered to integrate sustainability into trade and services, while grassroots civil society ensures that the green transition translates into real improvements in livelihoods. When policy, enterprise, and community action align, we not only accelerate national and regional sustainability but also strengthen global resilience and shared prosperity.”
Dr Dhruba Purkayastha and Sohana Enver Azyze signed the MoU today.
For queries, please contact Tulshe Agnihotri ([email protected]; +91-9621119643 / +91 7905717812), Deda Ridzwani ([email protected]; +6012-291 6944), or Tan Wan-Peng ([email protected]; +6012-321 9773).
About Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia
The Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia has a mandate to advance Malaysia’s strategic interests. As an autonomous research organisation, we focus on foreign policy and security; economics and trade; social policy and nation-building; technology and cyber security; and climate and energy. We conduct Track-Two diplomacy, promoting the exchange of views and opinions at the national and international levels. We also play a role in fostering closer regional integration and international cooperation through forums such as the Asia-Pacific Roundtable, and networks like ASEAN Institutes of Strategic & International Studies network, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council and Network of East Asian Think- Tanks.
About Council on Energy, Environment and Water
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) — a homegrown institution with headquarters in New Delhi — is among the world’s leading climate think tanks. The Council is also often ranked among the world’s best-managed and independent think tanks. It uses data, integrated analysis, and strategic outreach to explain — and change — the use, reuse, and misuse of resources. It prides itself on the independence of its high- quality research and strives to impact sustainable development at scale in India and the Global South. In over 14 years of operation, CEEW has impacted over 400 million lives and engaged with over 20 state governments. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @CEEWIndia or on LinkedIn for the latest updates.