Sabah biodiversity: State to more than double marine protected areass

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is working to more than double its marine protected areas to over two million hectares, said state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin.

The planned expansion would increase protected marine areas from 7.36 per cent to 14.71 per cent of its waters, in line with Sabah's commitment to the global "30x30" biodiversity target.

The global "30x30" biodiversity target aims to protect at least 30 per cent of the world's land and waters by 2030 to help conserve ecosystems and halt biodiversity loss.

Jafry said expanding protected areas should not simply be about achieving a target on paper.

"The real measure of success is quality.

"It is whether the areas we conserve are ecologically representative, connected across landscapes and seascapes, effectively managed, equitably governed, and able to deliver lasting outcomes for biodiversity and people," he said during the 8th Asia Protected Areas Partnership (APAP) Technical Meeting here.

Jafry's speech was read by the ministry's deputy permanent secretary Rimi Repin yesterday.

The state government said achieving meaningful conservation would require stronger science and data, improved monitoring, sustainable conservation financing, adaptive management and greater use of local and Indigenous knowledge.

Jafry also called for stronger community stewardship and cooperation with universities, civil society and responsible private-sector partners.

"Governments and protected area agencies cannot deliver Target 3 alone," the speech said, adding that meaningful participation by Indigenous Peoples and local communities was needed, as their livelihoods and knowledge are closely connected to many of Asia's important landscapes and seascapes.

Under Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, countries are expected by 2030 to effectively conserve and manage at least 30 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas, as well as marine and coastal areas, through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.

Jafry said the APAP meeting was an opportunity to move beyond exchanging experiences towards practical regional cooperation, including strengthening management capacity, advancing other effective area-based conservation measures and supporting sustainable financing.

The three-day meeting in Kota Kinabalu brought together 53 participants, including government representatives, conservation partners and experts from across Asia.