Heart of Borneo milestones
Step by step, a retrospective of achievements
Several highlights have punctuated the Heart of Borneo programme so far. Find out how these key milestones are leading towards the conservation and sustainable development of Borneo's forest uplands by Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.| 2007 February |
2006 February | March | July | August |
2005 April | May | December |
February 2007
Heart of Borneo: from plan to reality
The Declaration to conserve the "Heart of Borneo" is officially signed between the three Bornean governments - Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia.The tri-country declaration will conserve and sustainably manage one of the most important centres of biological diversity in the world, covering approximately 220,000 km2 of equatorial rainforests (almost a third of the island).
Why its a milestone
The declaration is the successful culmination of 3 years of intense negotiations, research and planning, to ensure that the conservation of the Heart of Borneo tops the environmental agendas of the 3 Bornean governments.In the words of Dato Seri Azmi bin Khalid, Malaysian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, "This event is more than symbolic as it represents a commitment between our three countries to conserve and sustainably manage the Heart of Borneo."
Find out more
Heart of Borneo declaration press release
August 2006
Cross-Pacific ties boost Heart of Borneo programme
During her visit to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice officially announced the US Government’s intention to support the Heart of Borneo. The US Government released a press statement on August 2nd entitled : "Heart of Borneo" Conservation Initiative To Receive U.S. Funds - Project preserves equatorial rainforest in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei." The Secretary of State pledged US$100,000 to help advance the project, with funds disbursed through both WWF and the International Tropical Timber Organization. The political significance of this gesture has rippled across the region, highlighting the growing international support for the Heart of Borneo.
Find out more
WWF Statement on US pledge
July 2006
New heights for Indonesian commitment
The Indonesian Government held its final Heart of Borneo planning meeting with 76 participants from 9 Central Government Ministries (Forestry, Economy, Environment, Foreign Affairs, Public Works, Agriculture, Internal Affairs, Mapping and Survey Agency); 8 District Government and the 3 Provincial Governments.The meeting, co-hosted by 3 Ministries ( Forestry, Foreign Affairs and Economy), pushed up the Heart of Borneo on the national agenda. Participants agreed to:
- a political process towards the Heart of Borneo Declaration;
- awareness raising of the Heart of Borneo at district/government/community level;
- arrange a tri-lateral government meeting (hosted by the Indonesian Government) prior to the Declaration during the ASEAN Summit in December 2006.
March 2006
Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia commit to the Heart of Borneo initiative
The Heart of Borneo is officially launched at the Convention on Biological Diversity conference by the 3 Bornean governments – Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia. The 3 countries assert their commitment to support the initiative.Why it’s a milestone
This commitment is a landmark for the Heart of Borneo. A formal Declaration is now needed from the 3 Bornean countries to pave the way for increased international collaboration to improve the management of the region.The announcement also spells the end of plans to create the world’s largest palm oil plantation in Kalimantan, along Indonesia’s mountainous border with Malaysia. The scheme was expected to cover an area of 1.8 million hectares and would have had long-lasting, damaging consequences on the Heart of Borneo.
WWF has repeatedly stated that new oil palm plantations are better suited on degraded, non-forested land, and should be established there instead.
Find out more
March 2006
A bigger, safer home for large mammals in the Heart of Borneo
Malaysia announces that it will place 3 forest reserves (including the whole of Ulu Segama and Malua Forest reserves - about 238,000 ha) under sustainable forest management. Efforts by WWF have helped to put in place responsible forest management practices in both reserves, and these practices are now being implemented by the Malaysian Government.Why it’s a milestone
Two of the 3 Forest Reserves, Ulu Segama and Malua Forest Reserves, are part of the proposed Heart of Borneo area. Conserving these areas will protect the habitat of Borneo species such as the orang-utan, pygmy elephants, rhinos and banteng.
February 2006
Presidential support for the Heart of Borneo
WWF’s Director General, Jim Leape, meets the President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. During the meeting, the President affirms his support for the Heart of Borneo and gives his "assurance" that the development of oil palm plantations will not interfere with this important region.Why it’s a milestone
Securing a meeting with the President of Indonesia to discuss the conservation of a region is very rare. Obtaining a commitment for conservation from the highest level is even more unusual – and all the more promising for the Heart of Borneo conservation initiative.
December 2005
ASEAN endorses Heart of Borneo principles
The Chairman’s statement at the 11th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, highlights the importance of providing sanctuaries in the Heart of Borneo, to conserve the island’s biological diversity and protect its water catchments.
During the Summit, the Heart of Borneo is included as a flagship programme in the 5-year work plan of an ASEAN forum – the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines - East ASEAN Growth Area) - which is endorsed by the heads of government.
Why it’s a milestone
The highest decision-making organ of ASEAN is the Meeting of the ASEAN Heads of State and Government. The Chairman’s Statement is the official record of the meeting and is endorsed by the heads of all the governments present.The statement and the inclusion of the Heart of Borneo in the BIMP-EAGA work plan shows how the initiative is moving up on the political agenda in Southeast Asia.
Find out more
December 2005
Heart of Borneo secret brought to light
Camera traps set by WWF in the Heart of Borneo reveal what may be a new, mysterious carnivore species. The mammal, slightly larger than a domestic cat with dark red fur and a long, bushy tail, is photographed twice at night.Why it’s a milestone
It is extremely rare nowadays to discover a mammal species of this size, particularly a carnivore. This potential new species in Borneo would be the first since the discovery of the Borneo ferret-badger…in 1895!This discovery highlights the importance of the Heart of Borneo as a repository of rare species, including plants whose compounds could help treat or cure diseases such as cancer, AIDS and malaria.
- Find out more about Borneo's mysterious carnivore
- Download "Biodiscoveries", a WWF report on the medicinal properties of Borneo's plants and their potential for drug development
December 2005
An Indonesian landmark for Heart of Borneo
The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry hosts the National Workshop on the Heart of Borneo. More than 100 participants from 8 government departments and 10 districts in Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) attend this 3-day meeting, resulting in strong endorsement of the Heart of Borneo.Why it’s a milestone
The workshop results in a draft Heart of Borneo Declaration, an agreement on the extent of the boundary within Indonesia and an action plan for the declaration and future implementation.The Minister of Forestry personally informs the Indonesian President, other Ministerial departments and the other 2 Bornean countries, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia, about the significant results of the workshop.
May 2005
A prince’s commitment advances Heart of Borneo cause
“Looking into the eyes of an orphaned baby orang-utan is a look you'll never forget…” In response to the last public statement of the late Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, the Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands initiates, together with WWF, a cultural event to benefit the Heart of Borneo.The event is attended by among others, the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, ambassadors from Indonesia and Brunei, and the private sector.
Why it’s a milestone
In addition to support given for the Heart of Borneo initiative, significant funds are raised. Crucially, the CEO of WWF-Malaysia meets privately with the Prime Minister and his delegation regarding the Heart of Borneo.April 2005
Indonesian districts go for Heart of Borneo concept
Three district heads in Kalimantan’s (Indonesian Borneo) Muller and Schwaner regions sign a declaration in support of the Heart of Borneo.There are 8 local government districts in Kalimantan that overlap with the Heart of Borneo. In each one, the locally elected leader is responsible for natural resources management.
Why it’s a milestone
The district endorsement of the Heart of Borneo is a significant step in securing local support for the area. Moreover, it contributes to building momentum for a national commitment to the Heart of Borneo conservation initiative.April 2005
Creating a vision for the Heart of Borneo
Brunei Darussalam hosts a ground-breaking workshop, bringing all 3 Bornean governments - Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei - together for the first time to discuss the Heart of Borneo.Attended by over 150 representatives from government and non-governmental agencies of the 3 countries, the workshop makes a case for the benefits of large-scale conservation, reviews issues facing the uplands of Borneo, and promotes the need for effective transboundary activities.
