Sarawak sets up Climate Diplomacy Unit to drive regional cooperation

KUCHING (Feb 12): The Sarawak government has set up a Climate Diplomacy Unit to collaborate with neighbouring nations on climate, carbon and energy transition, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Premier said the unit, under his department, aspires to spearhead regional and global engagements on these matters.

“Sarawak will engage in climate action, ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) integration and advancing the circular economy through climate policy, carbon trading and sustainability-focused investment.

“There is a new term now, we call it climate diplomacy,” he said when opening the Asean Sarawak Business and Economic Forum 2026, themed ‘From Strategy to Scale: Competing in a Fragmented Global Economy’ held at a leading hotel here on Thursday.

Abang Johari said Sarawak will also increase investor confidence and attract greater private sector participation by strengthening governance and improving regulatory processes.

Through the forthcoming Sarawak Investment Policy, he said approval pathways are being standardised, agency roles clarified and timelines shortened.

“By 2030, investors should face fewer hands-off, clearer requirements and greater certainty from entry to operation. Throughout our strategies, Sarawak will maintain fiscal stability while investing for growth. Development spending will remain disciplined,” he added.

Meanwhile, the premier said efforts are underway to establish the Borneo Economic Community (BEC) to serve as a global platform in developing the world’s third largest island as Asean’s nerve centre.

“Alongside the Indonesian Business Council, we are working together to establish what we call Borneo Economic Community that transcends borders.

“We will work together to develop Borneo, with a combined population of 20 million and rich biodiversity,” he said, adding that the BEC was proposed during the Indonesian Economic Summit 2026 earlier this month.