KUCHING (July 1): The Sarawak state government has formulated various policies and legislations to sustainably manage and conserve its forests and wildlife to ensure that its economic developments are in conformity with globally accepted principle of sustenance, said Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said for sustainable development , there should be a balance between the need for economic growth, social progress, political stability and preservation of the environment.

“For this reason, the Sarawak government has formulated the Land Use Policy to manage our land use in order to achieve development that is sustainable,” he said during the opening ceremony of 55th Annual Meeting of the Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ATBC 2018) here today.

Abang Johari said Sarawak has always welcomed international collaboration to carry out research and conservation works in the forest.

“I take this opportunity to encourage local officers, researchers and students to make the best of this great opportunity to learn from local and international experts and to develop long-term collaboration networks.

“Likewise, I hope the delegates from the other countries could also gain some knowledge from Malaysian delegates especially on our forest, biodiversity, conservation programmes and other relevant issues, “he said.

Over 900 members of the tropical biologist and conservationist from 67 countries are attending the ATBC 2018 conference , which start today until July 5.