BY SITI NURAIN RATANI
PADAWAN: Sarawak will continue to be at the forefront in line with international conventions in recognising community rights to biological resources and traditional knowledge, said Datuk Amar Michael Manyin Jawong, here today.
According to the Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research, he views the AdenoSara project will show good governance for genetic resources and traditional knowledge through the sharing of benefits and sustainable use of biodiversity.
“The project can also commit to continue to progress in terms of research and development in the field of biotechnology to the entire indigenous community in Sarawak.
“This initiative will encourage the growth of the bio-economic sector in Sarawak,” he said when addressing the AdenoSara Benefit Sharing Agreement Signing Ceremony in Kampung Semadang, Penrissen here today.
He also explained that Sarawak is the first state in Malaysia to implement the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) since 2019.
“The signing of the agreement saw fair and equitable benefits being implemented on traditional knowledge related to genetic resources.
“Since then, Sarawak has become more serious in implementing the provisions of the Nagoya Protocol, especially to ensure the sharing of benefits is implemented fairly and equitably with the indigenous community,” he said.
According to him, Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) will also continue to work towards innovation and discovery of new trees from biological resources and the richness of traditional knowledge of the Sarawak ethnic community.
“It is to ensure that the community benefits from the use of their traditional knowledge and they can contribute to the conservation of traditional knowledge and the sustainable use of biological resources.
“I hope the community will continue to support SBC in sharing traditional knowledge so that potential discoveries can be made,” he said.
He called on all communities to work together to achieve Sarawak’s vision to become an economically developed state guided by innovation data.
“This is because the cooperation can bring the people of Sarawak to enjoy economic prosperity, inclusive society and sustainable environment by 2030.
“I am confident that with the dedication shown by scientists and the active involvement of the indigenous community, Sarawak will be able to benefit from this health sector through nature,” he said.
Also present were SBC chairman Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, SBC chief executive officer Dr Yeo Tiong Chia, and community leaders.
