Brunei Darussalam is fortunate that 72.1% of its land area is still covered by forests, which are home to remarkable flora and fauna species, including many that are endemic. The Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism said, additionally, the nation's marine ecosystems with coral reefs and diverse marine life, further enhance its environmental richness. At the opening of the Forest to Coral Reef Conference in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition, MYCE, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin also stressed the importance of recognising terrestrial forests, mangroves, seaweeds and coral reefs as closely interlinked in supporting ecosystem services, ensuring survival, and increasing resilience to climate change. Efforts to protect forests and coral reefs are not the responsibility of the government alone, it is a shared mission that requires everyone to act now. 

In his keynote address, Datuk Doctor Ismail Parlan, Director General of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, focused on the role of mangroves in coastal protection and climate mitigation and the important ecological functions of mangrove forests. Meanwhile, Sudono Salim, Chief Growth Officer and Co-Founder of Jejakin Indonesia, talked on innovative approaches in monitoring blue carbon ecosystems through digital technology. The conference aims to connect policymakers, academics and stakeholders with global biodiversity leaders to exchange knowledge and best practices.