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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
Ministers from the three Bornean governments sign the Heart of Borneo Declaration. From left: Brunei Industry and Primary Resources Minister Pehin Dato Dr Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat; Indonesian Forestry Minister M S Kaban; and Malaysian Natural Resources and Environment Minister Dato' Seri Azmi bin Khalid.

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.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam declare their commitment to the Heart of Borneo conservation initiative.<br><br> From left to right: M. Slamet Hidayat, Director-General for Multilateral Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs, moderates while Arman Mallolongan (Director General, Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Indonesian Ministry of Forestry), Dato' Suboh Mohd. Yassin (Secretary General of the Malaysian Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment) and Mahmud Hj. Yussof (Silviculturist for the Forestry Department of Brunei) listen on. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Conference of Parties, Curitiba, Brazil, March 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

Portrait of a young Orang-utan (<i>Pongo pygmaeus</i>).

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.
Jim Leape, Director General of WWF-International, and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia, meet to discuss the Heart of Borneo. Jakarta, Indonesia, February 2006.

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.
Rhinoceros hornbill, Kalimantan, Indonesia.

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

Frontal view of the mysterious animal.

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.

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.
HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, WWF Founder President 1961-1976, visiting the tropical rainforests of Borneo.

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.

Why it’s a milestone

This is the very first time that Borneo’s 3 governments sit down to discuss the future of the Heart of Borneo. An agenda is set to continue discussions on the issue and a consensus is reached on a Vision and an Action Plan to promote the Declaration of the Heart of Borneo.

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