5. It is our natural reserves that provide climate stability and recovery from natural disasters.

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1 SPEECH YAB DATO MOHAMED KHALED NORDIN MENTERI BESAR JOHOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BIODIVERSITY 2015 & 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF JOHOR NATIONAL PARKS CORPORATION AT UTHM, BATU PAHAT, JOHOR ON MONDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 2015 AT 8.00 PM Bismillahhirrahmannirahhim Distinguished guests, Assalammualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh Salam Sejahtera and Salam Muafakat Johor 1. It is my pleasure to welcome all of you to this gathering in conjunction with the International Conference of Biodiversity This ceremony is also to celebrate Johor National Parks Corporation, for its 22nd Anniversary since its establishment. The celebration is to commemorate the proclamation of an area of 49,805 hectares of Endau-Rompin, Johor state, as the first Johor National Park established in Ladies and Gentleman 2. This conference is timely as biodiversity matters to human development. Because every human being, every nation as well as our future generations depend upon a healthy biodiversity. 3. Unfortunately, we take all these for granted. We use more than what the Earth can provide. In fact, we use 40% more resources than nature can regenerate in a year. 4. We have somehow forgotten that it is with biodiversity that human beings are provided with essential life elements. 5. It is our natural reserves that provide climate stability and recovery from natural disasters. 6. It is our biodiversity that saves lives, as the traditional and modern medicine are totally based on natural plants, ocean resources and animals. 7. And it is about food security. As biodiversity provides food for the Earth population and maintains life. 8. That leads me to my first argument today. That if our future is about green economy, than our rich biodiversity resources is our most important asset, and second to none. 9. And I want to say today, that biodiversity is not just about providing the ecological balance, or the conservation of the environment. It is about Malaysia s future economic competitiveness and resilience.

2 10. Because, the economic value of biodiversity globally amounts to a staggering USD33 trillion per year, almost half of the global GDP last year. 11. And we shall never forget that, the future of businesses is about sustainability, about green economy. 12. Green economy is the only solution to the current environmental predicaments we are facing. It is the mechanism by which sustainable development could be achieved in practice. 13. That is why, if we are serious about nurturing a living planet for our grandchildren, then this green economy must become the economy itself. 14. Biodiversity is life itself. The loss of biodiversity knows no geographical, cultural and political boundaries. The whole system s balance is threatened, even if a small element of an ecosystem breaks down. 15. Therefore, biodiversity conservation should be everyone s concern. The concern of this government. The concern of our scientific community, our civil society, our business community. It is our problem, not just the turf of government and environmental organizations. 16. Thus, we must be part of the solution. We must be part of an all inclusive partnership for sustainability. 17. The conservation of biodiversity requires the collaboration of various stakeholders be it individuals, governments, private businesses, civil society, media, local communities and international organizations. 18. Each of us has an important role to play. And only through such an inclusive partnership could we tackle these enormous challenges. 19. To the scientific community, we require your knowledge, your commitment and your dedication in reducing the rate of biodiversity loss. 20. You have both the expert knowledge and technical capacity to develop, and promote, effective actions for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. 21. You can tell and advise governments and businesses, on what could be done to mitigate the loss of our biodiversity. 22. Second, the role of our higher education fraternity. Universities must be at the forefront in championing the cause of sustainability. They are the most trusted, the most learned. They understand ecosystem and its diversity. They are in the position to simplify advanced ecological concepts, present multifaceted issues and ultimately propose strategic plans and solutions to the cause. 23. It is crucial for mainstream biodiversity understanding be fit into formal and non-formal learning processes. The rationale is that learning and understanding biodiversity issues will provide people of all ages the basis for attitude change which will lead to positive action

3 on conserving biodiversity. 24. Third, the public needs to be properly educated. Basic information is not enough. In fact, it means nothing without knowledge. But how do we do this? This brings me to the next aspect; a radical campaign of sustainable lifestyle undertaken by government and the civil society. 25. Any government that is serious in the promotion of a sustainability agenda must embark on a radical campaign to promote a fundamental shift in the way we view biodiversity. 26. We need to convince the society that it s their planet and the planet of their children and future generation. 27. As such, they need to be a society that recognizes the link between their consumption choices and biodiversity loss. 28. A society where conservation values should be way of life. A society that resonates with sustainability agenda. 29. And it must cover every aspect of life, from the way we sanitize ourselves, to the way we conduct business transactions. Even the smallest of actions such as littering could create dire long term environmental consequences. 30. Because society is made of individual acts, therefore, individuals should be conscious of their choices about clothing, housing, travelling, eating and other things. 31. It is for all these reasons that Johor has embarked on our own sustainibility roadmap via the JOHOR SUSTAINABILITY POLICY (DASAR KELESTARIAN JOHOR). We have seen the need for a robust policy that hinges on sustainable development. This policy directs the way to effectively manage natural resources and provide the required investment channels for the cause of environmental conservation. 32. Under this policy, a GREEN TECHNOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE COUNCIL is set up to oversee the planning and implementation of relevant environmental initiatives. 33. This includes high profile projects such as the Low Carbon Society Plan, The Johor s Elephant Sanctuary and The Dugong Sanctuary. 34. Our approach to wildlife conservation is also inclusive. We believe in public participation for the better good. Therefore we will also establish a wildlife trust fund. This trust fund is a public effort to support all wildlife conservation efforts throughout the state of Johor. 35. Johor s identity is not pivoted only on modern development, but a balance of both world-modernity and nature peacefully combined. This is why the efforts put forth by

4 Perbadanan Taman Negara Johor to protect and provide character to Johor s natural heritage is of significant importance. 36. The Endau-Rompin National Park for instance, is simply Johor s best gift to humanity. A lot could be done to transform Endau-Rompin National Park into a global heritage of substantial value. 37. Our aspiration is to bestow it as a global bio-valley for the benefit of humanity. A venue to harness bio-resources effectively while providing a holistic and stimulating environment for scientific research. 38. We will be losing out if we limit national parks solely for commercialization purposes. It is beyond tourism products. 39. National parks are a place where we commit ourselves to understand, embrace and work with nature. It is a venue for tourists and us to understand the uniqueness of our wonderlands. And appreciate the sanctity of our environment and existence. 40. Most importantly, it is for our future generations. We want to give them a chance to experience the immersive beauty of biodiversity and to be able to explore the splendidness of our natural legacies through their own living senses. 41. Johor firmly commits to the principle of sustainability that we must limit our use of resources to a rate that will serve us not just in the short term, but also for future generations. 42. We must conserve Johor s lands and waters. This means safeguarding and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystems through conservation and stewardship actions, including on working landscapes and seascapes. 43. We must restore Johor s ecosystems to provide adequate habitat for wildlife and clean water, and are essential for the protection and recovery of species at risk. 44. We must connect people to nature. Fostering an appreciation for nature and building a community of stewards among people of all ages is crucial if sustainability agenda is to be effective. 45. Finally, we are committed to policies that match economic and environmental success. We want our biodiversity to contribute to a stronger economy, provide better paying jobs while also ensuring we are responsible guardians of nature. 46. All of this, ladies and gentleman, is because of our commitment to responsible development, where everyone is involved and everyone has a role to play in. There is no one-size-fits-all prescription for implementing sustainable growth. It has to be tailored to countries circumstances. 47. Therefore I wish to place an urgent call for all of us to take ownership of action. I sincerely hope that today s conference will be the game-changer we need, to earn the future we want. 48. Before I end, I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate Perbadanan

5 Taman Negara for its 22nd year of establishment. 49. On that note, it gives me great pleasure to declare the 2015 International Conference of Biodiversity open. I wish all of you a happy meeting and a fruitful academic exchange. Thank you Wabillahitaufik walhidayah Wassalammualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh