Kota Kinabalu: The State Government will not compromise in its efforts to conserve Sabah’s wetlands, which are living treasures that must be managed wisely not only for conservation but also as engines of sustainable development, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said through eco-tourism, sustainable fisheries, carbon trading and community-led enterprises, wetlands can bring economic opportunities while safeguarding nature for future generations.
Speaking at the 5th International Symposium on Conservation and Management of Wetlands 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Wednesday,Hajiji said the State Government always placed great importance on environmental sustainability, recognising that the State’s natural resources are the foundation of the economy, culture and community wellbeing.
“Over the years, we have taken proactive measures to safeguard our wetlands and related ecosystems.
“These include the gazettement of protected areas, the designation of wetlands such as the Kota Kinabalu Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance and continuous support for the conservation of mangrove forests, peatlands and coastal ecosystems across the State,” he said.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin Madingkir, delivered his speech.
“We are also implementing initiatives under our development plan, the Sabah Maju Jaya Roadmap, which emphasises sustainable and inclusive growth, with environmental protection as one of its guiding principles.
“Our approach is not just about protecting nature for its own sake, but also about ensuring that conservation and development can go hand in hand,” he said.
He added that the State Government, in collaboration with local communities, NGOs such as the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS), research institutions and international partners, has done much to restore thousands of hectares of mangrove forests and introduced community-based eco-tourism projects.
These projects, he said, not only empowered local people to benefit directly from conservation activities but also strengthened environmental education programmes, as well as supported scientific research and monitoring to guide evidence-based policies and decision-making for wetlands management.
“At the same time, we recognise that challenges remain. Climate change, urbanisation and unsustainable practices continue to put pressure on our wetlands.
“This is why Sabah is actively pursuing nature-based solutions, climate adaptation strategies and international collaborations to ensure our conservation efforts remain relevant and effective,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the State Government is committed to expanding wetland conservation areas, enhancing its capacity for research and monitoring and investing in sustainable financing mechanisms such as carbon trading and biodiversity offsets.
“We will also continue to strengthen partnerships at the regional and international levels, because the protection of wetlands is not the responsibility of any single government or organisation but a shared global duty,” he said.
He also acknowledged the commitment of the SWCS, which is working towards the nomination of two additional Ramsar Sites of international importance – the Klias Peninsular Wetland and the Lahad Datu Wetland.
“These efforts, once realised, will further elevate Sabah’s standing on the world map of wetland conservation. Sabah’s vision is clear, which is to be a model of how natural resources can be managed responsibly, where conservation supports economic growth, and where our people can thrive in harmony with nature,” he said.
He was pleased to note that the symposium has prepared three sessions - Marine Resource (Blue Economy), Wetland Fire-Regime/Wetland Urban Interface and Wetland Rehabilitation and Stewardship, all of which are both timely and crucial.
“I urge all participants to share ideas, experiences and innovations. Learn from one another, and let us build partnerships that will continue long after this symposium ends.
“Together, we can find new and sustainable ways to conserve wetlands, while ensuring that they remain a source of life and prosperity for generations to come,” he said.
Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society President Datuk Zainie Aucasa said shared responsibility and collaboration is crucial to the protection and preservation of wetlands.
The Society has managed to restore degraded mangroves in Sulaman Lake Forest Reserve and Kota Belud, and planted tens of thousands of trees through engaging the local community. These achievements show that conservation is possible when people come together with a shared vision.
“Wetlands are not only habitats for countless species but also natural guardians of our coasts, sources of livelihood and living classrooms for the community,” he said in his welcoming speech.
“The Kota Kinabalu Wetland was nearly lost to reclamation and development in the 1980s. Thanks to the efforts of passionate citizens, NGOS and conservationists, it was saved.
“In 1998, it became the Kota Kinabalu Bird Sanctuary and entrusted to the SWCS. In 2016, it became the 7th Ramsar Site in Malaysia,” he said.
