Sabah’s Path to Enhance Biodiversity Governance

Sabah’s Biotechnology Action Blueprint 2024–2034 is on track to strengthen biodiversity governance and the bioeconomy agenda. The government has rolled out various initiatives, including the digitalisation of management systems and the protection of traditional knowledge to ensure that these resources are preserved and utilised sustainably.

"Sabah has contributed significantly towards the global biodiversity conservation agenda," Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said at the 2026 Sabah Best Biodiversity Research Awards ceremony on 30 June 2026 in conjunction with World Biodiversity Day celebration at the Hilton Hotel, Kota Kinabalu.

“We have further expanded our Totally Protected Areas (TPAs) by gazetting 216,000 hectares of new protected areas. Sabah’s total TPA is now 2.227 million hectares, representing 30.06 per cent of Sabah's total land area, thereby contributing towards Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which has set least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, marine and coastal areas to be conserved by 2030.” The theme of World Biodiversity Day 2026 is "Acting Locally for Global Impact.

Sabah continues to be a premier destination for biodiversity research and especially at DaMaI (Danum-Maliau-Imbak) forests (the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Maliau Basin Conservation Area and Imbak Canyon Conservation Area). Researchers have identified and documented numerous discoveries in the DaMaI forests. Sabah and Botanickel Sabah Sdn Bhd have signed the first Benefit Sharing Agreement in September 2025 to ensure the efficient use of resources through innovative phytoextraction technology, involving the use of Sabah's hyperaccumulator plants to extract nickel from the soil.

"The Agreement will generate positive impacts for local communities through employment opportunities, economic activities, long-term agricultural contracts and ecotourism integration,” Hajiji said. “We have also introduced “Best Biodiversity Research” awards to recognise local and international researchers who have made outstanding contributions to advancing scientific knowledge on Sabah's biodiversity.”

Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Deputy Chief Minister I and Minister of Works and Utilities, delivered the CM’s speech.