A red-leaf monkey taking a nap on a tree branch after gorging on a feast in Sabah's Danum Valley. - Borneo Nature Tours/The Star
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Once hailed as the lungs of South-East Asia, Borneo’s rainforests are now facing unprecedented threats, having lost more than 30 per cent of their coverage over the past four decades. Climate change, deforestation, unsustainable land use and overexploitation have contributed to rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, increased flooding and the loss of wildlife — endangering food and water security and the well-being of communities throughout the island.
Yet amid these challenges, Brunei is taking a proactive stance. With sustainability embedded in national policies under Brunei Vision 2035, the Sultanate is reaffirming its commitment to preserving the island’s rich biodiversity and environmental heritage.
Brunei aims to increase its forest reserve coverage to at least 55 per cent, and has already planted more than 185,000 trees under its Greening and Forest Restoration Programme — a significant step towards meeting its 2035 environmental goals while safeguarding vital ecosystem services.
This commitment was echoed by Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Dr Hazri Kifle during the Earth Day panel discussion held on Tuesday in conjunction with Celebrating Earth Day with UBD and the Brunei Borneo Sustainability Summit (BBSS), themed ‘Our Power, Our Planet’.
“Sustainability is central to our mission at UBD,” said Dr Hazri in his opening remarks. “It is woven into our research, teaching, operations and outreach — guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
He noted that UBD researchers and students are actively engaged in cutting-edge studies on biodiversity, climate resilience and sustainable technology, with international partnerships and initiatives such as the university’s Botanic Research Centre, campus-wide energy efficiency programmes and green mobility solutions.
Highlighting UBD’s active involvement in regional sustainability, Dr Hazri said, “We are proud participants in the Heart of Borneo initiative, working closely with communities to integrate indigenous knowledge into conservation and sustainable development. Our students’ success at the Shell Eco-marathon and participation in global conferences show that our impact extends beyond academia.”
He described the Brunei Borneo Sustainability Summit as a landmark tri-national collaboration between Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. The summit, hosted at UBD from April 21 to 22, gathered leading scientists, policymakers, and sustainability experts to draft a path forward for the region.
“The Summit marks a major step forward. It aims to deliver a comprehensive, science-based assessment of Borneo’s rainforests, biodiversity and socio-economic challenges, combining rigorous research with traditional knowledge to guide conservation and inspire collective action,” he said.
Before concluding, Dr Hazri called for unity: “Sustainability is a shared responsibility. Let this summit be a platform to strengthen our resolve, deepen partnerships, and chart a course for a greener, more resilient Borneo.”
Held at UBD’s Pro-Chancellor Arts Centre, the Earth Day panel featured distinguished speakers including Vice-President for Asia and Co-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network Southeast Asia Professor Dr Woo Wing Thye; Professor Dr Mazlin Mokhtar of Sunway University; Professor Dr Jatna Supriatna of Universitas Indonesia; and Dr Wardah Hakimah Sumardi of UBD. The session was moderated by UBD’s Professor Dr Basilios Tsikouras.
The two-day summit featured thematic workshops and discussions on topics ranging from geography, flora and fauna, to sustainable agriculture and economic development. These sessions culminated in the first draft outline of the Borneo Assessment Report, setting out regional priorities and reinforcing cross-border collaboration.
As the region faces mounting environmental pressures, Brunei’s leadership — through policy, education and regional dialogue — underscores that hope for Borneo’s future lies in unity, science-based solutions and sustainable development. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
