Locations
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah: 20 March 2025 – Sabah is embarking on a multi-year initiative to transform the way land is managed, by promoting sustainable agriculture, conserving biodiversity, restoring degraded ecosystems, and strengthening livelihoods — particularly for smallholders in the palm oil sector.
In his welcoming address at the Inception Workshop held today, Datuk Frederick Kugan, Sabah’s Chief Conservator of Forests, underlined the project’s key components and highlighted the urgent need to address land-use challenges.
“Sabah is a region blessed with remarkable biodiversity, rich ecosystems, and natural resources that have supported livelihoods for generations. However, the state also faces growing pressures from land-use changes, the impacts of climate change, and other challenges,” said Datuk Frederick.
“The answer lies in integrated landscape management — a holistic, multi-dimensional approach that considers the social, economic, and environmental aspects of land management,” he continued.
Datuk Frederick Kugan, Sabah’s Chief Conservator of Forests gave a welcoming address and emphasised the rich biodiversity that Sabah has.
A collaborative vision for Sabah’s future
The Inception Workshop held today marks the official start of project implementation. It brings together a diverse group of stakeholders — from government bodies to NGOs, academia, and the private sector, and will culminate in the development of a validated results framework and work plan.
“Effective project management begins with a successful Inception Workshop. It serves to clarify roles and responsibilities, foster discussion and agreement on ideas and decisions, reaffirm commitments, and ensure a common understanding of the project among all stakeholders, encouraging them to take ownership of the project,” said Nosrat Ravichandran, Head of Nature, Climate and Energy at UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.
Ms. Nosrat Ravichandran, Head of Nature, Climate and Energy at UNDP Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. delivered a speech on behalf of the Resident Representative - Mr. Edward Vrkić
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Nosrat congratulated the Sabah Government on successfully securing GEF CEO endorsement for the project. She emphasised the importance of collaboration between federal and state stakeholders, tracing the project was developed through a long consultative process spanning from 2019.
A catalyst for action
As the GEF Executing Agency, UNDP is plays a quality assurance role, supporting the Project Board and Project Management Unit by conducting objective and independent oversight and monitoring functions. This includes ensuring alignment with the risk management, as well as social and environmental standards set by UNDP. Such oversight ensures that appropriate project management milestones are effectively managed and achieved.
As a development partner to the Malaysian Government for over 60 years, UNDP is committed to supporting this Project and hopes it will become another successful initiative that contributes to sustainable development in Sabah.
For more information, kindly contact:
Ka Han Lee
Sabah Project Manager, UNDP Malaysia
ka.han.lee@undp.org
