TOKYO, Japan: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Sarawak Government, represented by the Forest Department Sarawak, and Osaka Metropolitan University, Japan, last night.
The MoU complements the ongoing collaboration between the Sarawak Government and Japan’s National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), which was formalised in 2023 under the Premier’s mandate.
Among the key objectives of the MoU is the proposed cooperation in utilising Japan’s Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) to assess and monitor greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) approach.
For Sarawak, this collaboration will enhance the state’s credibility in independent reporting for the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM), as GOSAT provides reliable and independently verifiable scientific data streams.
The scope of cooperation also includes joint research activities on forest ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, as well as co-publication of research findings between both parties.
The MoU exchange was carried out between Forest Department Sarawak Director, Datuk Hamden Mohammad, and Osaka Metropolitan University’s representative, Prof. Dr Yayoi Takeuchi, in the presence of the Premier.
The Sarawak delegation will continue its official working visit to Osaka, where Hamden is scheduled to deliver a lecture titled ‘Strengthening Forest Management Through Research, Monitoring and Innovation in Sarawak’ at Osaka Metropolitan University tomorrow (Wednesday, November 12).
