KUCHING: The collaboration between Sarawak and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has yielded significant investment returns.
Edward Vrkić, the UNDP resident representative for Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam, said for every USD1 invested by Sarawak, USD3 was generated through this joint initiative.
“With UNDP, you benefit from over 60 years of experience, which can be leveraged through lessons learned and best practices.
“UNDP offers global expertise and an unparalleled breadth of experience,” he said in his speech at the launching of the Vision with ‘Action for Biodiversity: Policy and Plan’ at Imperial Hotel officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg last night (Apr 22).
Vrkić said that UNDP is committed to exploring innovative and inclusive solutions to address development challenges together.
He added that the presence of their staff in Kuching, facilitated through their cooperation with MUDeNR, enables them to respond effectively to Sarawak’s development needs while applying local perspectives.
“Today’s achievement reflects the success of our strategic partnership, and we look forward to similar success in two other initiatives currently being developed in collaboration with the government and UNDP, namely the Sarawak Urban Development Policy and the Sarawak Blue Economy Policy,” he added.
He added that Sarawak’s leadership efforts stand out in pursuing all three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
“UNDP is proud to have helped Sarawak achieve promising results aligned with the CBD. For example, the success of the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) programme, which led to the creation of the LitSara® product.
“This initiative not only helps preserve biodiversity but also empowers local communities. It provides economic opportunities and promotes traditional knowledge,” he said.
He also said that Sarawak’s commitment to biodiversity conservation is well-recognised, and UNDP remains steadfast in fostering cooperation in this effort through programmes aimed at protecting iconic species such as Orangutans and their habitats.
The master plan, Vrkić said, aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the National Biodiversity Policy.
“This further positions Sarawak well to achieve balanced, sustainable, and greener economic growth.
“This framework provides a roadmap for integrating biodiversity considerations into policies, ensuring that development does not sacrifice ecological integrity,” he said.
