S’wak govt, Australian uni ink MoU to strengthen collab in forestry research, capacity building, tech transfer

Awang Tengah (fifth left) and others during the MoU signing ceremony between the Sarawak government represented by Hamden (fifth right) and the Australian National University represented by Kirk (fourth left) in Canberra, Australia, on Aug 12, 2024.

By DayakDaily Team

CANBERRA, Aug 13: The Sarawak government, represented by Forest Department Sarawak (FDS), has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Australian National University (ANU) to strengthen bilateral collaboration in forestry research, capacity building, and technology transfer.

According to a media release, the MoU was signed on behalf of Sarawak by the Director of Forests, Datu Hamden Mohamad, while Professor Kiaran Kirk, Dean of the College of Science, represented ANU. Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, witnessed the signing ceremony which took place in Canberra, Australia, yesterday (Aug 12).

The partnership aims to advance sustainable forest ecosystem functions, biodiversity conservation, climate and energy initiatives, and sustainable forest management.

It will also focus on plantation forestry, forest fire management, and opportunities for officer and researcher development through capacity building and other mutually agreed areas of collaboration.

Before the signing ceremony, the Sarawak delegation engaged in a briefing and dialogue session with officials from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government, including representatives from the Environment Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry.

“The Sarawak government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development and the Forest Department Sarawak, is dedicated to the sustainable management and conservation of forest resources.

“Our efforts are directed at preserving Sarawak’s rich natural heritage for future generations, balancing ecological integrity with the needs of local communities,” said Awang Tengah in the media release.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were State Attorney-General Yang Arif Datu Saferi Ali; permanent secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development Datu Abdullah Julaihi; Controller of Natural Resources and Environment Board Jack Liam; general manager of Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation Zainal Abidin; general manager of Sarawak Forestry Corporation Abang Arabi Abang Aimran; and general manager of Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd Abu Hassan Yusuf. — DayakDaily