ALOR SETAR, 26 August 2026 (The Capital Post) – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES), together with the Department of Forestry Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM), Kedah Forestry Department and Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), organised the 2026 National-Level International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem celebration in Alor Setar on 24 August.
Held at Raia Hotel & Convention Centre Alor Setar, the celebration was organised in conjunction with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, observed annually on 26 July following its proclamation by UNESCO in 2016.
This year’s theme, “Mangrove Ecosystems Towards a Sustainable Blue Economy”, highlighted the importance of raising awareness and strengthening multi-stakeholder cooperation in conserving, restoring and sustainably managing mangrove ecosystems and coastal areas.
The national celebration was officiated by the Raja Muda of Kedah, Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Ibni Sultan Sallehuddin, and attended by the Kedah Menteri Besar, Kedah State Secretary, Chief Conservator of Forests Sabah, representatives from NRES, federal and state government departments, higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local communities.
The programme involved approximately 300 participants.
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A Mangrove and Coastal Forest Seminar was also held as part of the celebration, providing a platform for government agencies, researchers, local communities and NGOs to present research findings and discoveries related to mangrove ecosystems.
JPSM Director-General YBhg. Dato’ Mohd Radhi Chu bin Abdullah delivered the seminar’s keynote address, while FRIM Director-General YBhg. Dato’ Haji Ismail bin Parlan officiated the closing ceremony.
The seminar featured 12 papers and 15 posters, with 150 participants. Nine exhibitions related to mangrove ecosystems and coastal areas were also held throughout the programme.
According to a post on the official Facebook page of Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia, the programme reflects continued efforts to strengthen mangrove conservation and promote sustainable management of coastal ecosystems in support of biodiversity and the blue economy. – The Capital Post
