Brunei Darussalam is blessed with a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, which is a national treasure and valuable asset, not only now but also for future generations. Faced with various global threats such as climate change, habitat loss and increasing pollution, Brunei Darussalam is compelled to strengthen its efforts in the effective management and conservation of the nation’s biodiversity, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab said.

She said this as the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the Workshop To Develop the Implementation of the National Biodiversity Policy and Strategic Plan of Action (NBPSPA) 2024–2030 at the Setia Pahlawan Hall, MPRT.

Hajah Tutiaty added, “Since Brunei Darussalam became a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2008, we have progressively enhanced our commitment to sustainably conserve and manage biodiversity through the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).”

During the CBD COP 15 Conference in December 2022, she recalled, “The convention urged all party countries to review and update their respective NBSAPs in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which comprises four goals and 23 targets to serve as key guidance for driving global biodiversity conservation efforts.”

“In response to this call, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam consented to the NBPSPA 2024–2030, which aligns with the KMGBF and serves as our primary guideline in managing and conserving the nation’s biodiversity. This policy was submitted to the CBD on December 31, 2024, and its final version was uploaded to the CBD website on July 15.”

In line with the achievement, she said, “This three-day workshop forms part of the ongoing efforts by the Forestry Department as the National Focal Point of Brunei Darussalam to the CBD to ensure that the targets of the NBPSPA are detailed in a clear, effective and responsive manner, while aligning with the goals of Brunei Vision 2035, which emphasises sustainable development and the balance between environmental protection and national progress. The success of the NBPSPA’s implementation will be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) and specific indicators designed to monitor, evaluate, and report its progress from time to time.”

Hajah Tutiaty emphasised that the responsibility of conserving biodiversity including ensuring the achievement of the set KPIs and indicators cannot rest on a single entity alone. Instead, it requires collective effort, strong cooperation and a shared understanding among all stakeholders, including government agencies, academics, the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

To realise the aspiration, she iterated, “It is hoped that all involved parties will contribute their energy, ideas, expertise, and commitment in an integrated manner by adopting a whole-of-nation approach.”

The event also saw Deputy Permanent Secretary II at the MPRT Noralinda binti Haji Ibrahim deliver a keynote address ‘Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation: Advancing Brunei Darussalam’s Progress through the KMGBF and NBPSPA’.

Organised by the MPRT through the Forestry Department, the three-day workshop taking place until tomorrow is part of efforts to ensure that the targets and actions under the biodiversity policy in the NBPSPA can be implemented more clearly, effectively, and in line with the country’s development goals and plans.

The workshop will focus on the detailed development of specific actions based on the targets outlined in the NBPSPA policy, as well as on determining the lead and supporting agencies for each of these targets and actions. – James Kon

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin