Brunei leads regional push to protect Borneo’s rainforests
Sultanate hosts sustainability summit, marks Earth Day with action-driven conservation agenda
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei (MNTV) – Brunei is stepping up its environmental leadership in Southeast Asia as it spearheads collaborative efforts to preserve Borneo’s endangered rainforests.
It has launched a tri-national sustainability summit and a series of Earth Day events highlighting urgent action against climate and biodiversity threats, reported Borneo Bulletin.
The Brunei Borneo Sustainability Summit (BBSS), held from April 21 to 22 at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), brought together experts from Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia in a landmark effort to develop a unified conservation strategy for one of the world’s most ecologically diverse regions.
Themed ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, the summit focused on delivering a science-based assessment of Borneo’s environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Brunei, under its Vision 2035 development blueprint, has pledged to raise forest reserve coverage to at least 55 percent and planted over 185,000 trees through its Greening and Forest Restoration Programme.
These initiatives align with broader efforts to mitigate the impacts of deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable land use that have stripped away more than 30 percent of Borneo’s forest cover in the past four decades.
“Sustainability is central to our mission at UBD,” said Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri Kifle during an Earth Day panel discussion on Tuesday, held in conjunction with the summit.
“It is woven into our research, teaching, operations, and outreach — guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
UBD researchers and students are engaged in diverse projects spanning biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable technology.
The university also supports initiatives such as the Botanic Research Centre, campus-wide energy efficiency programs, and green mobility solutions, with many projects rooted in international partnerships.
Dr Hazri emphasized UBD’s active role in the Heart of Borneo initiative and highlighted the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge into environmental conservation.
“We are proud participants, working closely with local communities. Our students’ success in global platforms like the Shell Eco-marathon shows our commitment goes beyond academia.”
The summit’s Earth Day panel featured prominent speakers, including professor Dr Woo Wing Thye of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Southeast Asia, professor Dr Mazlin Mokhtar of Sunway University.
It also included professor Dr Jatna Supriatna of Universitas Indonesia, and Dr Wardah Hakimah binti Haji Sumardi of UBD. The session was moderated by UBD’s professor Dr Basilios Tsikouras.
The two-day event also included thematic workshops covering rainforest geography, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and regional economic development.
Discussions culminated in the first draft of the Borneo Assessment Report, designed to outline cross-border conservation priorities and reinforce shared environmental commitments.
“Sustainability is a shared responsibility,” said Dr Hazri. “Let this summit be a platform to strengthen our resolve, deepen partnerships, and chart a course for a greener, more resilient Borneo.”
As Borneo faces increasing environmental pressures, Brunei’s leadership highlights the critical role of science, policy, and regional cooperation in securing a sustainable future for the island and its people.
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