Scientific Expedition workshop to advance Sungai Pin conservation area towards IUCN Green List Goal

1 July 2025

SANDAKAN :The Forest Research Centre (FRC), under the Sabah Forestry Department, successfully co-organised the Sungai Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA) Scientific Expedition Workshop , Series 2 on 30 June 2025 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepilok, Sandakan.

This initiative, a collaboration between the public and private sectors, was held in partnership with the Conservation and Biodiversity Unit of the Sawit Kinabalu Group.

It follows a stakeholder engagement proposal developed after the recent scientific expedition to SPnCA in September 2024.

The workshop aimed to, present key findings from the 2024 scientific expedition and ecosystem services assessment, comparing them with those from the first expedition five years ago, reflect on social and community perspectives, including contributions from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in the conservation area and establish a shared direction for biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscape management; as well as support SPnCA’s ambition to attain IUCN Green List status by 2028 , a pioneering goal for a conservation site managed by an oil palm company.

Over 100 participants , including community stakeholders, NGOs, and government agencies – came together to share their insights and expertise. The workshop was officiated by Mr Indra Sunjoto, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Planning & Management), representing the Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan. The Sawit Kinabalu Group was represented by its Chief Sustainability Officer, Nazlan Mohamad.

The programme began with a comprehensive project overview and featured nine research presentations across three thematic sessions.

This was followed by interactive breakout discussions and a plenary session, which consolidated recommendations for future management, with a focus on biodiversity monitoring, threat mitigation, and stakeholder collaboration.

The outcomes of the workshop will contribute significantly to Sawit Kinabalu’s commitment to achieving IUCN Green List recognition, and to SPnCA’s aim of becoming Malaysia’s first oil palm-led conservation site to meet international protected area standards.

The Sabah Forestry Department remains a committed partner in this endeavour, working closely with the Sawit Kinabalu Group to align scientific research, policy development, and community engagement in the pursuit of sustainable forest management and conservation leadership in Sabah.