Sarawak, Japan Deepen Collaboration In Sustainable Development, Biodiversity

KUCHING, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is strengthening its collaboration with Japan through new areas of cooperation in green technology, international carbon markets, biodiversity science, and human capital development, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

In a statement issued by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (UKAS), Abang Johari said after three decades of close partnership between the Japanese Malaysia Association (JMA) and the Sarawak Forest Department, it is time to expand their cooperation into new high-impact fields that support the state’s sustainable growth.

“Moving forward, I am confident that this partnership will extend to areas such as professional and capacity development in carbon monitoring, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), Geographic Information System (GIS), and biodiversity science.

“It may also include participation in the international carbon market under the Article 6.2 Framework, youth and community empowerment programmes, and exchange initiatives involving students, researchers, and academics between Japanese institutions and universities in Sarawak.”

Abang Johari said this at the 30th anniversary celebration of JMA and the Sarawak Forest Department collaboration held in Tokyo, Japan, today, in conjunction with his three-day official visit to the country, which began yesterday.

He said the cooperation, established in 1995, has contributed not only to forest restoration but also to community development and environmental education across Sarawak.

He added that Sarawak values its close ties with Japan beyond trade and investment, encompassing people-to-people relations, cultural exchanges, knowledge sharing, and joint environmental conservation efforts.

Also present were Malaysian ambassador to Japan Datuk Shahril Effendi Abd Ghany, JMA chairman Furuya Keiji, and Sarawak Forest Department director Datuk Hamden Mohammad.

-- BERNAMA