On 20 June 2023, the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) and the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) planted trees together at Sabal Forest Reserve as one of the activities to mark SBC’s 25th Anniversary and also to support the Greening Sarawak Campaign, which aims to plant 35 million trees by 2025. The primary objectives of the event were to raise awareness about environmental rehabilitation and promote the importance of reforestation.
In the event, a group of 100 participants, including SBC and FDS staff, interns and Sabal communities, planted 1,000 saplings of valuable indigenous timber species. This initiative has not only contributed to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration but has also helped in achieving the broader goals of the 'Greening Malaysia Agenda Through 100 million Tree Planting Campaign' (2021-2025). With the cumulative number of trees planted in Sarawak now surpassing 20 million, this effort showed that the collective contributions can succeed in achieving greener and more sustainable Malaysia.
The tree planting event has also facilitated collaborative discussions between SBC and FDS which focused on exploring biotechnology-based research and development related to Sarawak's biological resources, particularly forest resources.
It was a pleasure to welcome Tuan Haji Azmi bin Haji Bujang, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education, Innovation and Talent Development on a working visit to SBC on 4 January 2023. He was accompanied by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Mdm Anielia ak Siam, and also the officers of the Ministry.
Tuan Haji Azmi was briefed on SBC's facilities, highlights and centre’s discoveries as well as its functions, achievements, and current projects.
During his address to SBC officers, Tuan Haji Azmi shared that "One of the core objectives of Ministry is to develop a science literate society in a short term or long term. SBC is the right place to promote scientific discovery in Sarawak."
He planted a Sekiu tree (Madhuca motleyana) to commemorate his visit. The Sekiu oil extracted from the seeds has a bitter almond scent and contains healthy monounsaturated fats. This species is listed as Near Threatened under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species in 2018.
We thank Tuan Haji Azmi for his advice and direction.
A delegation from the New Zealand High Commission Kuala Lumpur, led by its High Commissioner, Her Excellency Pam Dunn, paid a courtesy visit to SBC on 7 October 2022. She was accompanied by YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. Hamid bin Bugo the former State Secretary of Sarawak and alumnus of University of Canterbury, New Zealand. Among the delegates are Mr Aidan Beckett, First Secretary and Mr Tan Zhong Yan, Policy and Public Affairs Advisor from the New Zealand High Commission KL and Mr Hasrin Othman, Trade Compliance Manager, Fonterra Brands (M) Sdn Bhd and Ms Esther Yap, CEO, Stellar Sparx International Sdn Bhd.
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.
On 29 September 2022, Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC) and Sabah Biodiversity Council Members held a technical visit to SBC to understand how SBC is implementing the Nagoya Protocol pertaining to Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Agreement, protection of the indigenous communities’ rights and knowledge, Traditional Knowledge (TK) Documentation and biodiscoveries.
On 4 August 2022, Ms Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director Regional of Asia and the Pacific arrived in Kuching, Sarawak on an official visit that included a visit to the Semadang Village here in Penrissen. Semadang is one of the project sites funded by UNDP-MOF’s Orang Asli/Orang Asal Micro-Grant Facility for Conservation and Livelihood (OAMGF).
- USDA US Embassy Kuala Lumpur visit to SBC
- Working Visit of His Excellency Charles Hay MVO, British High Commissioner to Malaysia to Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, 21 July 2022
- Working Visit of His Excellency Lee Chi Beom, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Malaysia, to Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, 8th June 2022
- Benefit Sharing Agreement Signing Ceremony for LitSara® Project
