THE World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)’s new treaty will significantly strengthen Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC)’s efforts to safeguard the state’s unique biodiversity.
Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn said the treaty requires the disclosure of the origins of raw materials and protecting intellectual property, especially traditional knowledge.
“In connection to this, I am proud to inform this August House, that Sarawak is leading internationally in the implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing.
“During the Conference of Parties (COP16) held in Columbia last month, SBC represented the Malaysian delegation in showcasing the nation’s very first Benefit Sharing Agreement on the LitSara project.
“This recognition by the United Nation is a testament to Sarawak’s sustainability drive in environment, social and governance (ESG) on our biodiversity and indigenous communities,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech today.
Sagah said that at the moment 58 per cent of 79 projects have been completed, while 42 per cent is ongoing.
The projects are funded by Sarawak Research and Development Council (SRDC) from 2019 until this year, worth RM16.6 million.
