Ambassador of the United States of America, His Excellency Brian McFeeters paid an official visit to SBC on 7 October 2022. He was accompanied by Ms Susan Riggs, Deputy Economic Councillor, Ms Katherine LeRah Jernigan, Economic Officer, Ms Kylie Tumiatti, Economic Officer, Ms Wesha Ooi, Economic Assistant, Mr Gurdit Singh, Press Attaché and Embassy Spokesperson, Ms Dela Amira Ahmad, Online Media Specialist and Ms Fiona Teo, Information Specialist.
Upon arrival at SBC, the delegates were welcomed by a Sarawak’s traditional dance. Then, they toured the Ethnobotanical Garden where more than 400 species of useful plants from the indigenous communities are planted for research and development as well as ex situ conservation. The briefing includes the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access Benefit Sharing which the benefits are channeled to participating communities. The delegates also visited Traditional Knowledge Building which housed herbarium specimens and zoological specimens collected at the Bau Limestone area.
At the Algae Cultivation Facility, the Delegation saw how microalgae can be grown. He remarked that, "SBC is embarking on green agenda with their initiative on algae development as sustainable source". He added that, "Sarawak has unique and natural ecosystems and I believed that there must be so much to see and explore Sarawak's richness of biodiversity". He shared that US is keen to cooperate with the State on strengthening collaboration on energy and environmental conservation.
To commemorate his visit, he planted Sindora leiocarpa which is known locally as Tampar Antu (Iban). The local community use the fruits to chase away evil spirit and the oil extracted from the tree are used as a traditional torch fuel.
