By Lian Cheng and Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Sept 20: Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute (Tropi) is conducting wetland research with the University of Tartu, Estonia, and team members including scientists from University of Helsinki, Finland and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg revealed this during the Gala Dinner of the AsiaFlux Conference 2022 at Tropi here this evening.
“Tonight, as we gather here to celebrate the opening of the AsiaFlux2022 Conference by me, it further gives me great pleasure to announce that the Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute and the University of Tartu, Estonia, will be collaborating on a four-year research project titled ‘LiWeFor: Living Labs for Wetland Forests Research’ to be led by Prof Dr Ülo Mander.
“The project is a unique partnership in establishing and developing a global network of Living Labs (LL) as a progression to foster innovation and strengthen collaborative planning for wetland forest research, education, and management.
“The project team comprises members from Sarawak Tropical Peat Research Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany.
“This partnership will further the R&D (research and development) work of Tropi and remain at the forefront of research on environmental sustainability,” said Abang Johari, adding that R&D efforts never end, and learning develops over time.
He expressed his belief that for the benefit of humanity, conferences like AsiaFlux2022 keep strengthening and expanding connections between local scientists and those of other as well worldwide societies in promoting research for environmental sustainability.
“I must say, science, really is a beauty. I dearly hope that this conference will generate and plant new insights to help address global challenges,” said Abang Johari.
He believed that the conference would raise awareness among the public, businesses, and governments on the severe effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the global environment and the vital importance of implementing appropriate regional sustainable land use policies aligned with environmental sustainability.
“I can confidently assure you that the work presented, shared, and discussed at this conference, the work you do for advancing science sets a vital foundation not just for all of us but for our future generations.”
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Modern of Agriculture and Regional Development Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi, Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie, Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Deputy Minister Datuk Len Talif and other dignitaries. — DayakDaily
