MALAYSIA’S NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

MALAYSIA’S NATIONAL POLICY
ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
(Official declaration: Thursday, April 16 1998, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
Ministry of Science, Environment and Technology)

VISION

TO TRANSFORM MALAYSIA INTO A WORLD CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN CONSERVATION,
RESEARCH AND UTILISATION OF TROPICAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY BY THE YEAR 2020

POLICY STATEMENT

TO CONSERVE MALAYSIA'S BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND TO ENSURE THAT ITS
COMPONENTS ARE UTILISED IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER FOR THE CONTINUED
PROGRESS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATION

PRINCIPLES

Conservation and sustainable utilisation of the nation’s biological diversity will be based
on the following principles:

(i) The conservation ethic, including the inherent right to existence of all living
forms, is deeply rooted in the religious and cultural values of all Malaysians;

(ii) Biological diversity is a national heritage and it must be sustainably managed
and wisely utilized today and conserved for future generations;

(iii) Biological resources are natural capital and their conservation is an investment
that will yield benefits locally, nationally and globally for the present and future;

(iv) The benefits from sustainable management of biological diversity will accrue,
directly or indirectly, to every sector of society;

(v) The sustainable management of biological diversity is the responsibility of all
sectors of society;

(vi) It is the duty of Government to formulate and implement the policy framework
for sustainable management and utilisation of biological diversity in close
cooperation with scientists, the business community and the public;

(vii) The role of local communities in the conservation, management and utilisation of
biological diversity must be recognized and their rightful share of benefits should
be ensured;

(viii) Issues in biological diversity transcend national boundaries and Malaysia must
continue to exercise a proactive and constructive role in international activities;

(ix) The interdependence of nations on biological diversity and in the utilisation of
its components for the well-being of mankind is recognized. International
cooperation and collaboration is vital for fair and equitable sharing of biological
resources, as well as access to and transfer of relevant technology;

(x) Public awareness and education is essential for ensuring the conservation of
biological diversity and the sustainable utilisation of its components;

(xi) In the utilisation of biological diversity, including the development of
biotechnology, the principles and practice of biosafety should be adhered to.

For more information about the MALAYSIA’S NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, please go to this link http://www.arbec.com.my/NBP.pdf

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