Malaysia has expressed profound regret and deep concern over the United States (US) decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar noted the US was a significant contributor to climate action.

In a statement today, he said its withdrawal represented a serious curtailment of the needed means of implementation for developing countries to enhance adaptation measures and mitigation actions.

Furthermore, he said, the loss of US support would impede efforts by developing countries to build the needed capacity to undertake these actions and enhance transparency of reporting on the achievement of their nationally determined contribution.

"Malaysia remains hopeful the US administration will continue to support the consensus on the implementation of the Paris Agreement as the only viable way forward to address the climate crisis," added Wan Junaidi.

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday he would pull the US out of the agreement.

- Bernama