Penang will host a major Asia-Pacific conference in October, related to the newly formulated global sustainable development goals (SDGs), where the key outcome for the state is a task force and a blueprint to localise the goals from now until 2030.

The conference, jointly organised by the Penang Women's Development Corporation, the United Nations Development Programme, Penang Institute, as well as the state government and a couple of its local councils, is slated for October 25 and 26, at the Jen Hotel.

State executive councillor in charge of the matter, Chong Eng said sharing initiatives from Penang and around the region will help fulfil the conference objectives.

"These include identification of key smart partnership and collaboration needed to pursue sustainability targets, like how we can ensure as many people of as many backgrounds, ages and experiences as possible are included in designing and delivering initiatives and ideas," Chong said in a statement.

"Our objectives also include how we propose to tackle issues related to gender equality, this is important as it is widely agreed that progress on future development and sustainability targets will be nearly impossible if the issues of gender are not dealt with," added the Padang Lalang assemblywoman.

"The SDGs are a call to action, to all of us, whoever we are, to unite together to secure a vibrant future for our localities, nation and planet, and the target to achieve all these is 2030," said the DAP Wanita chief.

Open to all, the conference expects to host about 200 participants from regional, federal, national, state and local governments, industry players, NGOs, community groups and academia.

The SDGs are global goals which were formally adopted by 193 countries at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015.

They cover 17 different areas, each broken down into targets and indicators but together, they represent a holistic range of social, economic and environmental dimensions for sustainable development.

Meanwhile, in another statement, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state affirms the benefits of facilitating an open and positive exchange of experiences and approaches at this early stage of the SDGs.

"We realise that the earlier we find appropriate effective and inclusive solutions, the better our chances of realising together the dream of sustainable development".