Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he made the proposal to UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres on Saturday, Bernama reported.

“Urbanisation in Southeast Asia is happening at a fast rate, including the opening of cities. If not taken care of properly, the uncontrolled development of cities will cause severe environmental effects,” he told the Malaysian media here.

He said Guterres did not give any commitment on opening the UN Habitat office.

The proposal was also discussed with UN Habitat’s executive director, former Penang mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif, who is the first woman from Asia to hold the post.

UN Habitat promotes socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

Ismail said he had also raised with Guterres the need to transform the United Nations and to abolish or limit the veto power of the Security Council, which he had brought up in his speech to the general assembly on Friday.

He said Guterres agreed with his call, and to find a solution to the Palestine and Myanmar issues.

“He told me that France had agreed for the veto power to be limited,” said Ismail, who leaves for the United Arab Emirates for a four-day working visit from Monday.