Kota Kinabalu: Sabah’s rich biodiversity has helped put Malaysia among the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, said Deputy State Secretary (Development) Datuk Dr Ahemad Sade.
“Our rich biodiversity plays an important role in contributing to Malaysia’s status as one of the 17 most biodiverse countries in the world, known as a megadiverse country,” he said when officiating the State-level World Biodiversity Day at the Hilton Hotel, here, Tuesday.
He said conservation, protection and sustainable use efforts carried out at the local level in Sabah have also been recognised globally.
“This achievement proves that Sabah meets high international standards in governance, protected area management and the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation,” he said.
“Sabah’s rich wealth in unique flora, fauna and ecosystems is not only a source of pride for the people of Sabah but a strategic asset of high economic, scientific and social value,” he said, adding that this is in line with the celebration’s theme, ‘Acting locally for global impact’.
He said Sabah’s biodiversity provides important ecosystem services including clean water supply, food sources, climate regulation, protection from natural disasters and income for indigenous people and local communities.
He cited Sabah’s biodiversity and sustainable development sites such as the Unesco Triple Crown comprising the Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site, the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve and the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark, the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands Ramsar Site, the Kota Kinabalu Wetlands Ramsar Site, the Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve, the Sugud Islands Marine Conservation Area and the Pin Supu Forest Reserve, recognised under the IUCN Green List.
Additionally, he said the Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Imbak Canyon conservation areas together form a world class biodiversity research hub that continues to draw local and international researchers.
He said the Sabah Biodiversity Strategy 2024-2034 stands as proof of the State Government’s commitment to biodiversity conservation, serving Sabah’s strategic roadmap for the coming decade.
This includes the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ahemad congratulated the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC) on the development of the Sabah Biodiversity Access and Export Licence Application System and the Sabah Traditional Knowledge Information System.
“The two systems as more than digital platforms, but a strategic step by the State Government in strengthening biodiversity governance that is accessible, modern, transparent and data driven,” he said.
Ahemad also congratulated recipients of the Sabah Biodiversity Research Award 2025, across the categories of promising young researcher, international researcher and local researcher, along with a special jury award.
He said the award reflects the State Government’s commitment to placing research as a key driver of biodiversity conservation, recognising the contributions of local and international researchers who have strengthened the scientific foundation for policymaking, species protection and sustainable natural resource management.
Present were SaBC Director cum Organising Committee Chairperson Ken Kartina Khamis and Deputy State Secretary (Special Tasks) Datuk Md Hanafiah Md Kassim, among others.
