1. INTRODUCTION
Biodiversity, fundamental to all life on Earth, profoundly influences our societies and economies by providing invaluable benefits, often imperceptible, such as nutrient cycling, habitat provision, pollination, erosion control, and climate regulation. This concept spans diversity within and between species, as well as ecosystems. Despite its undeniable importance, approximately 30% of species have succumbed to global threats or extinction since 1500. Alarmingly, should the current path of habitat loss and global warming persist, almost 40% of species might face extinction by this century's close, severely disrupting both ecosystem function and nature's contributions to humanity.
The urgent need to preserve biodiversity stems from relentless habitat destruction, overexploitation of resources, and the escalating impacts of climate change. Reversing these trends is paramount to ensure the sustainable utilization of biodiversity and to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Within this context, The Brunei Darussalam Conference on Biodiversity with the theme “Biodiversity: Nature’s Blueprint for Sustainability” aims to convene government representatives, private sector leaders, experts from non-governmental organizations, and researchers by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and the showcasing the nation’s rich biodiversity through a scientific expedition as well as through learning from experts on international best practices in addressing critical strategies for utilizing biodiversity as a foundation for sustainable development. This also includes exploring the potential of utilizing biodiversity in the context of eco-tourism and current market initiatives such as carbon market.
To further enrich the conference with a real local case study and lessons learned, a scientific expedition at the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve in the Temburong District will be conducted prior to the conference. The findings from this expedition will be showcased at the conference and will serve as an opportunity to position Brunei Darussalam prominently within the global discourse on forest biodiversity research, highlighting its potential to establish itself as a leading hub for tropical biodiversity research.
2. KEY OBJECTIVES
The objectives are:
- To connect policy-makers, academics and non-governmental sectors with a regional network of biodiversity leaders and provide a powerful platform to share knowledge, research findings and best practices globally.
- To explore opportunities for green economic growth, including eco-tourism and market initiatives such as carbon market.
- To provide vital opportunities for capacity building education and skill development in biodiversity-related fields, nurturing a network of proficient professionals and advocates, aligning closely with the scientific expedition's goal of fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and expertise exchange.
- To develop a tangible biodiversity conservation action plan and strategies based on key takeaways from the conference and scientific expedition.
3. THEMATIC TOPICS
In line with the theme, this conference consists of seven (7) thematic topics, namely:
- Ecosystem Services: The Lifeline of Biodiversity
- Conservation Innovations: Restoring and Safeguarding Biodiversity
- Youth Engagement in Biodiversity: Empowering the Next Generation
- Blue Biodiversity: Conserving Marine Life for a Resilient Ocean
- Biodiversity's Role in Building Resilience to Climate Change
- Biodiversity's Contribution to Sustainable Economies
- Scientific Expedition: Exploring Brunei Darussalam's Biodiversity
4. EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The following are expected to be achieved:
- Enhanced knowledge and capacity of biodiversity advocates through the knowledge exchanged.
- Incorporate adoption of international best practices and new economic opportunities in the biodiversity conservation action plan and strategies.
Hosting a successful conference and showcasing Brunei's biodiversity policies and environmental credentials could enhance the country's international reputation.
