On 7 October 2018, Sunway Education Group held the largest celebration that commemorated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). A total of 8,165 people held hands all around Sunway City, representing the nautical mile distance from Sunway University to the United Nation’s headquarters in New York. The boisterous occasion marked the third UNSDG anniversary since its launch on 25 September 2015.

The event was held at Sunway University, and began with 17 speakers each taking to the stage for a one-minute address regarding one Sustainable Development Goal. Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah spoke for Goal 1 – No Poverty; Malaysian singer songwriter Reshmonu spoke for Goal 2- Zero Hunger; Sunway Education Group senior executive director Dr Elizabeth Lee spoke for Goal 4 – Quality Education; CIMB Foundation CEO Dato’ Hamidah Naziadin spoke for Goal 5 – Gender Equality; Subang Jaya state assemblywoman YB Michelle Ng spoke for Goal 6- Clean Water and Sanitation; Netherlands Ambassador HE Karin Mossenlechner spoke for Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy; BDO Regional senior partner Dato’ Gan Ah Tee spoke for Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; PwC partner Hilda Low spoke for Goal 9 – Industry Innovation and Infrastructure; and Deloitte Country Managing Partner Yee Wing Peng spoke for Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities.

HSBC CEO Stuart Milne spoke for Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities; Godfather of Comedy Harith Iskandar spoke for Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production; National Geographic Explorer filmaker Rachel Quek Siew Yean spoke for Goal 13 – Climate Action; SEA Games Medal Winner, Sin Li Jane spoke for Goal 14 – Life Below Water; Sunway Group Executive Director, Sarena Cheah spoke for Goal 15 – Life on Land; President of JCI, Professor Datuk Woo Wing Thye spoke for Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; and Trustee of Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, Tunku Abidin Muhriz spoke for Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.

Tan Sri Dr. Jeffrey Cheah, Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group said, “It is our hope that this significant public display of support, sheer magnitude of the event and the thousands taking part will ensure that our message will echo across the nation – that we are all in this together, and we must act now for our future.” He continued, “We hope this will encourage other nations and communities to make their own pledges for the UNSDGs. We are joining hands in Sunway City, to reach out to the world.”

Dr Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of the Sunway Education Group and Sunway University then shared, “Three years ago, leaders around the world gathered at a special United Nations summit in New York to officially adopt the 17 UNSDG’s which includes providing a holistic framework, growing economies, protecting the environment, advancing peace as well as promoting good governance in both national and international level.” She went on to say, “It is now our turn to carry on their mission; and to be the difference we want to create for the world.”

Participants and guests were then treated to an array of exciting performances that included an opera performance by Solomon Chong, dances by 40 young performers, music by The Malaysian Military Band, and an amazing magic show by word-class illusionist and seven time Merlin Award winner Mahdi Moudini.