KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has emphasised Sarawak’s commitment to sustainable development through strategic investments in research, development, and talent cultivation in biodiversity.
Highlighting the state’s rich biodiversity as a source of potential natural resources, he highlighted its pivotal role in driving sustainability forward and developing renewable energies to mitigate climate change.
“Sarawak and Borneo have a unique position where we have an abundance of rainforests and sunlight. This is a cornerstone of the state’s sustainable development strategy under the Post-Covid 19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 initiative.
“With environment sustainability being one of the main pillars of the PCDS 2030, we are investing in research and talent development to better understand our biodiversity, using modern science and technology to safeguard our natural heritage.
“Thus, we are working with indigenous communities to promote sustainable land management practices that preserve both culture and biodiversity, while acknowledging their role as custodians of the land,” he said.
He made these remarks during the inaugural Natural Science and Technology Conference (NaSTeC) 2023 at Waterfront Hotel here on today (Oct 5).
Furthermore, Abang Johari shed light on the conference’s exploration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, and its role in biodiversity research and development.
He linked the technology to biodiversity analysis, where generative AI could contribute to advancements in breeding or modifying plants for specific traits, including faster growth.
Providing an example, he cited the potential for fast-growing trees to address the urgent need to enrich degraded forests.
“With generative AI, if we can accelerate the growth of trees to be harvested in three years, the fibre and wood pallet of these trees can be used as a source of renewable energy through biomass conversion.
“Since we have the ecosystem to generate fast growing trees, with new scientific models, we can contribute globally to carbon emission mitigation and use renewable energy as a power source,” he explained.
The three-day conference, themed ‘Sustaining Biodiversity Across Culture and Research Through Science and Technology’ aims to address challenges, explore inventive solutions, and engage in the exchange of ideas that contribute to the betterment of society.
It will feature two esteemed keynote speakers from Christ University in Bengaluru, India; and Southampton University in the United Kingdom, as well as plenary speakers from Bali and Japan, along with participants from Brazil and Brunei.
Earlier, the ceremony also witnessed the exchange of Memorandum of Understanding between Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and Sarz Al-Yahya Corporation Sdn Bhd, and Christ University, Bengaluru, India.
Also present were Unimas vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi and Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit; Sarz Al-Yahya Corporation group director Datuk Seri Wan Sarkawi Tuanku Jaapar; Christ University Centre for Advanced Research and Development director Dr Gurumurthy Hedge.
