October 10, 2017, Tarakan, North Kalimantan - Heart of Borneo (HoB) Week officially kicked off with an Expert Dialogue to celebrate a decade of the HoB Initiative. The event took place at the University of Borneo Tarakan in Tarakan City, North Kalimantan, Indonesia.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the HoB Initiative - a cross-border collaboration of three countries, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia - to conserve and sustainably manage the biodiversity, ecosystems and natural resources of the Heart of Borneo region. Since its declaration in 2007, various programs and activities have been undertaken both individually and collectively by the Governments of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam to achieve the shared vision of the HoB. Such significant progress has been made possible by the strong support and participation of Indigenous Peoples, civil society and other stakeholders, as well as local and international partners.

Today, the cross-border collaboration of the three countries that share the Borneo Island region continues to be an effective and innovative way towards green and inclusive development in the Heart of Borneo. As current challenges and changes arise, it is important for the HoB to regularly reflect, gain input and strategize on how to keep this initiative relevant and effective in safeguarding the environment for the sustainability and well-being of the people in the Heart of Borneo.

With the theme ""Conserving Natural Resources for Sustainability and Prosperity of the Heart of Borneo Region"", today's dialogue brought together some of the best minds from all three countries, featuring experts from Government, Universities and Research Institutions to share their knowledge, experiences as well as achievements and challenges over the past decade in implementing the HoB Initiative.

During the dialog, the CEOs of WWF-Indonesia and WWF-Malaysia jointly launched the latest report entitled ""The Environmental Status of Borneo 2016"". The report is the third in a series of biennial reports detailing changes in the status of key ecosystems and key species, land use developments, and current conservation management issues in Borneo. ""These findings will help us plan for more sustainable future development on the island,"" said Rizal Malik, CEO of WWF-Indonesia. ""I am confident that this publication will be a valuable reference for all development actors in Borneo and other partners to help sustain Borneo's natural wealth as one of the last primary forest areas in the world,"" he added.

Having expanded its analysis from the HoB area to the entire island of Borneo, the report shows that the HoB area has indeed fared much better compared to areas outside of the HoB boundary.
While much of the lowlands of Borneo have been converted from forest to other land uses, large areas of the HoB remain relatively intact. ""We believe that this is mainly due to the success of the three-nation visionary to conserve the HoB that our Governments have continued to undertake since the historic joint declaration in 2007,"" explained Dato' Dr. Dionysius Sharma, Executive Director/CEO of WWF-Malaysia.

However, the report found that environmental health across Borneo continues to decline. It is undeniable that Borneo is at risk of losing its key ecosystems and valuable environmental services that are critical to the long-term well-being of local communities and the economic growth - both national and regional - of all three countries. ""The HoB initiative can play a greater role as a leading example to create even greater impact for the whole of Borneo. We need to ensure that all our efforts will also contribute to the overall environmental health of the entire island of Borneo", added Dato' Dionysius.

The two CEOs reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting the three governments in implementing the HoB Initiative and urged all stakeholders and partners to take part in the effort to realize a better future for HoB and the entire island of Borneo, for the benefit of both people and the environment.

The expert dialog also explored a range of other topics, including: 1. Biodiversity and Environment in HoB Conservation - Rhinos and Elephants; 2. Climate Change, Transboundary Watershed Management and Energy: Challenges and Opportunities; 3. Social Forestry; 4. Agriculture: Tradition and Innovation to protect HoB biodiversity; and 5. Education and Culture: Traditions for a Sustainable Future.

Jointly organized by the HoB Indonesia National Working Group (POKJANAS), University of Borneo Tarakan and WWF, the dialogue was part of a series of Heart of Borneo Week activities in commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the HoB Initiative.

During the Heart of Borneo Week, WWF-Indonesia and WWF-Malaysia also organized a joint exhibition featuring photos of WWF HoB's work in Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan representing the five HoB trilateral strategic action plans on transboundary cooperation, protected areas, sustainable resource management, ecotourism and capacity building. Photo tours and photography classes were also held for high school and university students as well as the local photography community there.

The 11th Trilateral Meeting is scheduled to be held on October 11-12 at the University of Borneo Tarakan. The two-day meeting will bring together representatives from the three Governments to discuss and review the developments and progress that have been made in their respective HoB regions since the signing of the HoB Declaration in 2007. The three Governments will officially launch ""Visit The Heart of Borneo""- a long-term campaign to promote the HoB as a cross-border ecotourism destination.

-Finished-

For more information, please contact:

• Nuraini Soulisa, Heart of Borneo Programme Communication Manager, WWF-Malaysia, Email: [email protected], Hp: +6281290090253/+60374503773
• Irwan Gunawan, Kalimantan Program Director, WWF-Indonesia, Email: [email protected], Hp: +628128748535
• Stephan Wulffraat, Heart of Borneo Thematic Leader for Species and Places, WWF-Indonesia, Email: [email protected], Phone: +6281319995562