KUCHING: The State Government and Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday to collaborate on sustainable forest. In September 2017, the Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg led a team of delegation to Finland which resulted in the signing of the MoU.
Luke has a strong background in sustainable forestry, with special emphasis in forestry inventory methodologies, greenhouse gas accounting and global climate change issues. The signing took place at Wisma Bapa Malaysia at Petra Jaya and was witnessed by the CM.
Signing on behalf of the State Government was the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources, Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar and witnessed by the Acting Director of Forests in the Forest Department Sarawak, Hamden Mohammad.
The President and CEO of Luke, Mari Walls signed the MoU and was witnessed by Executive Vice President of Luke, Johanna Buchert. Under the terms in the MoU, the parties would be exploring ways to strengthen the collaboration through joint research and development activities or consultancy works as well as examining possibilities for research and innovation funding in sustainable forestry, integrated land management, forestry carbon management and climate change.
The collaboration between the
two parties would further foster innovations and sustainable management of natural resources to meet the challenges such as climate change, preservation of biodiversity, food, water and energy security. The collaboration is expected to enhance effectiveness in sustainable forest and resource management in the State which would help to enhance the State’s reputation at the international level.
Johari revealed that both Finland and Sarawak experience different climates but this joint collaboration would benefit both.
“We can learn from them and they can learn from us within these two different climate situations or environments. “Through this MoU, our scientists and the scientists from Finland will work together, even to the extend with our universities and their universities. But this research institute will work together with us. Actually, this collaboration will benefit both sides in the forestry aspects,“ he added.
The signing of the MoU yesterday was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Development & Transportation, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing, Deputy Chief Minister, Minister of Industrial & Entrepreneur Development and Second Minister of Urban Development & Natural Resources, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Education, Science & Technological Research, Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong and Assistant Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration & Environment, Datu Len Talif Salleh.
