KOTA KINABALU: Surviving tropical forest must be preserved and protected from being converted to other land uses to fulfil the function towards the environment, society and economy, said University Sabah Malaysia (UMS) Vice Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.
He said the tropical parts of the world are extensive and contain a diversity of forest types and homes to the most significant portion of the world's forest.
"On the other hand, the acts of humans and the repercussion of climate change constitue a significant threat to tropical forest and the people who live in them," he said in his speech at the International Tropical Forestry Conference 2024 here today (March 5).
He said a concentrated effort to conduct research that result in practical solutions to various forest-related issues is required to support sustainable forest management principles and policies encompassing forest functions.
"Taking this into consideration, I would like to take this opportunity to convey my gratitude to the researchers who have been working diligently on tropical forest research," he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif in his speech officiating the conference hopes the partiticants will share their research findings.
He said participants should also make use of the conference to enhance research network locally and internationally for making tropical forestry management and conservation in the region successful and sustainable.
"This conference provides a platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging ideas, and exploring solutions to the challenges facing tropical forest.
"Your presence and participation demostrate the importance of tropical forest as a valuable resource for sustainability," he said.
A total of 97 participants, including 10 international participants from Indonesia, Thailand, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Japan took part in the two-day conference. — Bernama