Brunei Darussalam hosted the International Conference on Biodiversity in Bandar Seri Begawan from June 11-13, 2024, centered on the theme “Nature as the Basis for a Sustainable Economy.” With 70% of its 5765 km² area covered in forests, Brunei has traditionally depended on oil and gas for revenue. However, diminishing reserves and growing concerns over climate change have prompted the nation to explore sustainable economic activities within its vast forest areas.
The conference kicked off with an opening ceremony followed by a plenary session on the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This session laid the groundwork for understanding global biodiversity goals and their implications for sustainable development.
The GCF Task Force Country Coordinator for Indonesia Syahrina Anggraini, a keynote speaker at the conference, shared the invaluable experiences of GCF Task Force members in developing a new forest economy. Drawing on examples of ecotourism, non-timber forest product development, and REDD+ result-based payments from Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Peru, she emphasized the importance of creativity, collaboration, and storytelling in these initiatives. Her presentation resonated strongly with the diverse audience, including government officials, academics, and private sector representatives, sparking enthusiasm and curiosity.
Accompanying her was Ms. Yenny Almuthahar from West Kalimantan’s Environmental and Forestry Agency. They discussed the potential of Kelulut honey, a type of honey that has been successfully developed in Indonesia to supplement the income of communities living in and around forest areas. This exchange highlighted the promising opportunities for Brunei to leverage its forest resources for sustainable economic growth.
Parallel sessions on the first day covered various topics such as “Ecosystem Services: The Lifeline of Biodiversity,” “Conservation Innovations: Restoring and Safeguarding Biodiversity,” and “Youth Engagement in Biodiversity: Empowering the Next Generation.” These sessions provided a platform for detailed discussions and knowledge exchange among participants.
The second day featured a plenary session on “Biodiversity: The Key to a Sustainable Green Economy,” followed by more parallel sessions. Topics included “Blue Biodiversity: Conserving Marine Life for a Resilient Ocean,” “Biodiversity’s Role in Building Resilience to Climate Change,” and “Biodiversity’s Contribution to Sustainable Economies.” These discussions highlighted the multifaceted benefits of biodiversity and its critical role in achieving sustainability.
The final day of the conference included a thematic session on “Scientific Expedition: Exploring Brunei Darussalam’s Biodiversity,” where participants shared their findings from working in Brunei’s forests. The presentations covered a wide range of topics, including forest ecology, floral and faunal biodiversity, forest succession, microbiology, forest management, and GIS mapping.
The conference concluded with a visit to the Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) Botanical Research Center, the first botanical garden in the country. This visit underscored Brunei’s commitment to biodiversity and its potential to drive a sustainable economy.