KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is leveraging its natural resources sustainably to attract investment, strengthen market access, and generate higher-value economic opportunities, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said sustainability is increasingly influencing where investments go, which businesses can access international markets, and how competitive local industries will be in future.
"We must recognise that protecting our environment and pursuing economic development are not opposing objectives," he said at the opening of the Sustainable Action Conference 2026 (SAC 4.0) here on Wednesday (Oct 21).
His speech was read out by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun.
"Our challenge is to achieve both. We must develop our resources responsibly, so that they continue to provide opportunities and prosperity for future generations," he said, adding that this aligned with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 development plan for 2026 to 2030.
"Agriculture, industry and tourism remain important pillars of our economy, and sustainability must increasingly become an enabler of their growth.
"Our Blue Economy agenda also presents considerable opportunities, particularly in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, maritime activities and nature-based tourism," he said.
Hajiji noted that the long-term success of these industries depends on how well the state manages the resources on which they rely.
He said a similar principle applied to the state’s forests and mangroves, which protect biodiversity, store carbon, and support coastal communities' resilience.
"These are not merely environmental assets, they have real economic and social value. When a river becomes polluted, or a marine ecosystem is damaged, the consequences are felt by fishermen, farmers, tourism operators and the communities who depend on them," he said.
Hajiji also said the state government is working towards greater energy security, more reliable supply, and opportunities for renewable energy and new technologies through the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040.
SAC 4.0 was organised by Control Union Malaysia, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Malaysia.
