KUCHING — Sarawak’s newly launched Sustainability Master Plan 2030 establishes the state as the world’s only region with a comprehensive environmental sustainability focus, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg announced at Saturday’s International Day of Forests celebration.
Speaking before international delegates at the Forest Research Centre, the Premier revealed the blueprint integrates UNESCO’s sustainability principles across four foundational pillars: environmental protection, agricultural innovation, urban resilience, and social equity.
“While others prioritize singular aspects, Sarawak embeds ecological stewardship throughout all development sectors,” Abang Johari emphasized, linking the plan to this year’s “Forests and Food” theme.
Key commitments include:
- Logging Reduction: 30% decrease in timber concessions by 2028
- Agroforestry Expansion: 500,000 hectares of integrated food-forest systems
- Carbon Capture: Rainforest preservation securing 15 million tonnes annual carbon sequestration
- Urban Greening: Kuching to achieve 40% green cover by 2030
The Premier noted Sarawak’s approach has garnered global recognition, with invitations to present at COP30 and the UN Food Systems Summit. “Our model proves economic growth and environmental protection coexist,” he stated, citing the state’s transition from net logger to forest guardian.
The plan advances Sarawak’s 2050 carbon-neutral target while creating 20,000 green jobs in sustainable agriculture and ecotourism.
The Forest Research Centre will spearhead biodiversity monitoring, deploying AI-powered sensors across 2 million hectares of protected areas. UNESCO’s Southeast Asia director Dr. Kim Kong praised the “holistic framework that could redefine development in tropical regions.”
