Kota Kinabalu: The Government reaffirmed its commitment to marine sustainability during the Ocean Celebration 2025 held at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on Tuesday.
The event, themed “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us”, was officiated by Deputy Chief Secretary (Environmental Sustainability) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), Datuk Nor Yahati Awang.
It brought together agencies, researchers, students and conservation groups to highlight ocean protection efforts in conjunction with World Oceans Day, Coral Triangle Day and World Sea Turtle Day.
Nor said the theme for World Oceans Day 2025 serves as a reminder of the critical role these vast bodies of water play in shaping our world.
“Our oceans are crucial to the health of our Earth. They generate oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, regulate climate and weather patterns and provide habitats for countless species,” she said in her keynote address.
She said although Malaysia is not a major plastic producer, the country contributes a disproportionate amount of waste to the ocean.
Nor highlighted government’s efforts through policies such as the National Marine Litter Policy, Plastic Sustainability Roadmap, Roadmap Towards Zero Single-Use Plastics and the upcoming National Climate Change Bill, expected to be tabled in August.
“This legislation will enhance our capacity to meet our obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement,” she said.
She praised the Ocean Celebration for engaging communities, especially through the “Kutipan Sampah Sambil Riadah (Kudah)” beach clean-up at Likas Bay, organised with the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI), Mariner’s Club and the French Embassy.
Meanwhile, UMS Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor said the celebration was more than symbolic.
“Today’s Ocean Celebration is more than a commemoration, it’s a platform for advocacy, awareness and action,” he said.
He said the programme, which ran from June 9 to 19, featured exhibitions, photography contests, cooking competitions, mural painting, workshops and community outreach involving schools and coastal groups.
He also thanked NRES, the Coral Triangle Initiative Malaysia, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Parks, Future Alam Borneo, Zero Waste Malaysia, Pulau Gaya Resort, and Reef Check Malaysia for supporting the programme.
The celebration supports Malaysia’s environmental targets under the 12th Malaysia Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 13 and 14), and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
