With rising global challenges such as climate change, habitat loss and pollution, it is essential to strengthen and renew efforts to conserve and sustainably manage biodiversity, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab said.
She said this during a two-day workshop on Updating the National Biodiversity Policy and Strategic Plan of Action (NBPSPA), organised by the MPRT, through the Forestry Department.
The permanent secretary added, “Brunei Darussalam, blessed with a rich and diverse flora and fauna, has long recognised the importance of protecting these natural resources for the present and future generations.”
She emphasised that the management of biodiversity is not a responsibility to be borne solely by a single entity or institution, rather it requires a collective effort. “Seamless collaboration and a common understanding among all relevant stakeholders is important for the successful implementation of biodiversity policies and strategies.
“The importance of biodiversity extends beyond environmental stability but also in the country’s social and economic development. Hence, it is imperative that we foster an integrated approach that harmonises environmental conservation with socio-economic development,” she added.
Since becoming a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2008, Brunei Darussalam has progressively intensified its commitment to strengthen the on-going biodiversity conservation efforts and strategies on sustainable uses of biological and natural resources through the development of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). The workshop hosted participants from government agencies, higher education institutions and non-governmental organisations involved in biodiversity management and conservation.
Brunei Darussalam’s NBSAP, known as the NBPSPA, was introduced in 2015 and has provided comprehensive framework for biodiversity management and conservation in the nation.
The workshop highlights the Sultanate’s commitment to the United Nations (UN) CBD, focusing on updating the country’s biodiversity policy to align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
The updated policy is expected to be inclusive, addressing the needs of all stakeholders.
Brunei will present its updated national biodiversity policy at the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties to the UN CBD, scheduled for October 21 to November 1. The Sultanate remains dedicated to supporting biodiversity management for social, economic and environmental sustainability for future generations. – Azlan Othman
