(Bandar Seri Begawan, 22nd) Biodiversity plays a vital role in maintaining climate stability, reducing risks of natural disasters, maintaining environmental balance, and strengthening the socioeconomic resilience of nations.
Healthy ecosystems can support local community incomes, create opportunities for ecotourism development, ensure the sustainability of water resources and soil fertility, and sustain pollination systems that are crucial for agriculture and food production.
The above was stated in a press release by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Manap, in conjunction with International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 (theme: "From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity").
The minister further explained that in 2000, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 22nd as International Day for Biological Diversity, aiming to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of biodiversity and to strengthen the global commitment to sustainable protection and management of biodiversity.
The minister said this year’s observance coincides with the signing of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, highlighting the importance of continued effort and shared responsibility at all levels to protect biodiversity.
The minister stated that this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity theme is “From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity,” emphasizing the importance of collective community action in addressing global environmental challenges.
“This reminds us that efforts to protect biodiversity start within our own communities and environments, and are realized through daily practices, good governance, and a sense of shared responsibility to preserve natural resources.”
“At the same time, this theme delivers the message that only by constantly strengthening, supporting, and expanding internal community efforts and actions, can we achieve global goals, including climate adaptation capacity and ecosystem restoration.”
“Brunei, situated on Borneo Island, is richly endowed with natural resources, including vast tropical rainforests, mangroves, wetlands, rivers, and diverse marine ecosystems,”
The minister noted that forests cover about 72.1% of Brunei’s land area, providing habitats for thousands of plant and animal species. In addition to significant ecological value, these natural resources also bring various economic and cultural benefits.
The minister said that as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Brunei will continue to fulfill its commitment to biodiversity protection, including through the National Biodiversity Policy and Strategic Action Plan 2024-2030 (NBPSPA). This plan serves as a national framework aimed at translating global biodiversity commitments into more effective action within Brunei.
Based on the “whole-of-society” approach of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), the minister further pointed out that this policy outlines several priorities, including strengthening biodiversity governance, promoting sustainable resource management, raising public environmental awareness and scientific knowledge, and enhancing stakeholder participation.
“Through these comprehensive efforts, protective measures will not only ensure the sustainability of the nation’s natural resources, but also promote public wellbeing, environmental resilience, and economic growth, all of which help realize the goals set forth in Brunei Vision 2035.”
“As the lead agency for biodiversity protection, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, through the Forestry Department, continues to implement various measures under existing laws and policies, such as the Forest Act (Chapter 46), Wildlife Protection Act (Chapter 102), and the National Forestry Policy. Measures include ongoing forest patrols to combat illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment on forest reserves.”
Furthermore, wildlife species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) are also protected by national law, especially under the Wildlife Protection Act (Chapter 102). This is consistent with the commitment of the national Biodiversity Day to always safeguard endangered species.
Given the importance of biodiversity, to ensure the long-term protection and sustainability of peat swamp forest areas, logging activities are banned in these regions. To support this commitment, several initiatives have been implemented to ensure continuous protection of such ecosystems, including delineating specific areas as forest reserves, ongoing ecosystem monitoring, conducting scientific research, and running public education campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of forest protection in national biodiversity.
In addition to these conservation measures, the Forestry Department also collaborates with other enforcement agencies, such as the Royal Brunei Police Force, to actively carry out regular and comprehensive forest patrols, monitoring and combating any illegal activity including illegal logging, poaching, and occupation of protected forest areas.
The minister stated that by 2025, a total of 538 patrols had been conducted, which included monitoring by forest rangers on land, rivers, and from the air. These ongoing efforts reflect the government’s strong resolve in strengthening enforcement capabilities to ensure the protection, maintenance, and long-term sustainable development of the nation's forest resources, benefiting present and future generations.
Although biodiversity conservation work is continuously being strengthened at the national level, biodiversity still faces various pressures and challenges. Climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, unsustainable resource use, and other environmental challenges all intensify the difficulty of biodiversity protection.
The minister stated that meeting these challenges requires close cooperation among all parties and a shared sense of responsibility, because even the smallest efforts can lead to profound and lasting changes. Measures such as protecting forest areas, restoring mangroves, reducing waste, promoting sustainable agriculture and fisheries, strengthening environmental education, and supporting community conservation actions can all have major positive effects on biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
The minister emphasized that youth participation is also crucial in shaping a more sustainable future. By boosting environmental awareness, scientific knowledge, digital innovation tools, and opportunities for active involvement among the younger generation, we can nurture future leaders who will continue to strive for biodiversity conservation and sustainable living.
Therefore, educational institutions, youth organizations, and community groups play key roles in fostering responsible attitudes towards the environment and enhancing recognition of the value of biodiversity.
On the occasion of World Biodiversity Day 2026, let us reaffirm our collective effort and responsibility in protecting and preserving our natural heritage. Biodiversity is not only a valuable national asset, but also plays a critical role in maintaining human wellbeing, economic resilience, climate stability, and ecological balance.
“Protecting biodiversity is the important foundation for ensuring that future generations inherit a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable earth. Through local cooperation and collective efforts, we can create a healthier environment, stronger ecosystems, and a more sustainable future for our descendants.”
“Every effort, no matter how small, will make a meaningful contribution to the global mission of protecting life on earth and benefiting humanity.”
Healthy ecosystems can support local community incomes, create opportunities for ecotourism development, ensure the sustainability of water resources and soil fertility, and sustain pollination systems that are crucial for agriculture and food production.
The above was stated in a press release by Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Manap, in conjunction with International Day for Biological Diversity 2026 (theme: "From Agreement to Action: Build Back Biodiversity").
The minister further explained that in 2000, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 22nd as International Day for Biological Diversity, aiming to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of biodiversity and to strengthen the global commitment to sustainable protection and management of biodiversity.
The minister said this year’s observance coincides with the signing of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, highlighting the importance of continued effort and shared responsibility at all levels to protect biodiversity.
“This reminds us that efforts to protect biodiversity start within our own communities and environments, and are realized through daily practices, good governance, and a sense of shared responsibility to preserve natural resources.”
“At the same time, this theme delivers the message that only by constantly strengthening, supporting, and expanding internal community efforts and actions, can we achieve global goals, including climate adaptation capacity and ecosystem restoration.”
“Brunei, situated on Borneo Island, is richly endowed with natural resources, including vast tropical rainforests, mangroves, wetlands, rivers, and diverse marine ecosystems,”
The minister noted that forests cover about 72.1% of Brunei’s land area, providing habitats for thousands of plant and animal species. In addition to significant ecological value, these natural resources also bring various economic and cultural benefits.
The minister said that as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Brunei will continue to fulfill its commitment to biodiversity protection, including through the National Biodiversity Policy and Strategic Action Plan 2024-2030 (NBPSPA). This plan serves as a national framework aimed at translating global biodiversity commitments into more effective action within Brunei.
Based on the “whole-of-society” approach of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), the minister further pointed out that this policy outlines several priorities, including strengthening biodiversity governance, promoting sustainable resource management, raising public environmental awareness and scientific knowledge, and enhancing stakeholder participation.
“Through these comprehensive efforts, protective measures will not only ensure the sustainability of the nation’s natural resources, but also promote public wellbeing, environmental resilience, and economic growth, all of which help realize the goals set forth in Brunei Vision 2035.”
“As the lead agency for biodiversity protection, the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, through the Forestry Department, continues to implement various measures under existing laws and policies, such as the Forest Act (Chapter 46), Wildlife Protection Act (Chapter 102), and the National Forestry Policy. Measures include ongoing forest patrols to combat illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment on forest reserves.”
Furthermore, wildlife species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) are also protected by national law, especially under the Wildlife Protection Act (Chapter 102). This is consistent with the commitment of the national Biodiversity Day to always safeguard endangered species.
Given the importance of biodiversity, to ensure the long-term protection and sustainability of peat swamp forest areas, logging activities are banned in these regions. To support this commitment, several initiatives have been implemented to ensure continuous protection of such ecosystems, including delineating specific areas as forest reserves, ongoing ecosystem monitoring, conducting scientific research, and running public education campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of forest protection in national biodiversity.
In addition to these conservation measures, the Forestry Department also collaborates with other enforcement agencies, such as the Royal Brunei Police Force, to actively carry out regular and comprehensive forest patrols, monitoring and combating any illegal activity including illegal logging, poaching, and occupation of protected forest areas.
The minister stated that by 2025, a total of 538 patrols had been conducted, which included monitoring by forest rangers on land, rivers, and from the air. These ongoing efforts reflect the government’s strong resolve in strengthening enforcement capabilities to ensure the protection, maintenance, and long-term sustainable development of the nation's forest resources, benefiting present and future generations.
Although biodiversity conservation work is continuously being strengthened at the national level, biodiversity still faces various pressures and challenges. Climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, unsustainable resource use, and other environmental challenges all intensify the difficulty of biodiversity protection.
The minister stated that meeting these challenges requires close cooperation among all parties and a shared sense of responsibility, because even the smallest efforts can lead to profound and lasting changes. Measures such as protecting forest areas, restoring mangroves, reducing waste, promoting sustainable agriculture and fisheries, strengthening environmental education, and supporting community conservation actions can all have major positive effects on biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
The minister emphasized that youth participation is also crucial in shaping a more sustainable future. By boosting environmental awareness, scientific knowledge, digital innovation tools, and opportunities for active involvement among the younger generation, we can nurture future leaders who will continue to strive for biodiversity conservation and sustainable living.
Therefore, educational institutions, youth organizations, and community groups play key roles in fostering responsible attitudes towards the environment and enhancing recognition of the value of biodiversity.
On the occasion of World Biodiversity Day 2026, let us reaffirm our collective effort and responsibility in protecting and preserving our natural heritage. Biodiversity is not only a valuable national asset, but also plays a critical role in maintaining human wellbeing, economic resilience, climate stability, and ecological balance.
“Protecting biodiversity is the important foundation for ensuring that future generations inherit a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable earth. Through local cooperation and collective efforts, we can create a healthier environment, stronger ecosystems, and a more sustainable future for our descendants.”
“Every effort, no matter how small, will make a meaningful contribution to the global mission of protecting life on earth and benefiting humanity.”