KUCHING: Scientific research and academic papers on conservation must be translated into practical public policies to ensure they deliver meaningful and lasting impact.
Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said research findings should not remain confined to journals, conferences or academic discussions but must guide policymaking, conservation planning and sustainable development.
“Scientific discovery should not remain confined to academic journals or conference proceedings. The same goes for the resolutions from this conference.
“They must inform public policy, guide conservation planning, strengthen governance, support sustainable development and ultimately translate into practical action that benefits both people and nature,” he said in his closing remarks at the Malaysian Conservation Conference 2026 here today (July 15).
Len stressed that policymakers must also be convinced that research findings are practical, achievable and sustainable before they can be adopted into legislation or government policies.
“You can talk for as long as you want, but if it is not translated into policy and passed through the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) or Parliament, it will remain just an academic paper.
“You have to convince policymakers that your ideas are doable, pragmatic and sustainable,” he said.
He expressed hope that the three-day conference would produce well-considered scientific resolutions and practical policy recommendations that could be refined, prioritised and jointly adopted by government agencies, academia, industry, civil society organisations and local communities.
Len also proposed that the conference resolutions be compiled into an official document and supported by a monitoring mechanism to track their implementation and measure tangible progress before the next conference.
“When we gather again at the next Malaysian Conservation Conference, I hope we will not only present new research and ideas, but also review the progress made, assess the implementation of resolutions, identify challenges encountered and celebrate conservation successes,” he said.
He said such a mechanism would strengthen accountability, encourage sustained collaboration and ensure each conference contributes meaningfully to Malaysia’s conservation agenda while enhancing the country’s standing within the international conservation community.
Len also highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration among governments, universities, internationally recognised research institutions, multilateral organisations and conservation experts to exchange knowledge, build scientific capacity and develop evidence-based policies aligned with global standards.
He said that conservation challenges transcend national boundaries, making international cooperation essential in addressing biodiversity loss, forest degradation and climate change.
He also acknowledged the invaluable role of indigenous peoples and local communities, saying their traditional knowledge and stewardship of forests, rivers and ecosystems continue to complement scientific research and modern conservation practices.
Meanwhile, Len called for greater youth participation in future conservation conferences, expressing hope that university students and even upper secondary school students would be given opportunities to engage with experts and develop early interest in environmental conservation.
He said exposing young people to research and networking opportunities would help cultivate the next generation of conservation leaders capable of advancing Malaysia’s biodiversity and sustainability agenda.
Sabah has been selected to host the 2029 Malaysian Conservation Conference, with Sabah Parks serving as the organising body.
