From 17th to 21st February 2025, the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (IBER) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD), in collaboration with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, and Singapore’s National Parks Board, hosted the National Workshop on Capacity Building for Waterbird and Wetland Monitoring.
The workshop, supported by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund, and endorsed by the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe) under the Ministry of Development, aimed to enhance Brunei’s capacity in monitoring migratory waterbirds and managing its wetlands.
The workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, including government officials, conservation organisations, researchers, and bird enthusiasts, all focused on building their expertise in waterbird monitoring, wetland management, and conservation outreach.
The workshop was officially inaugurated at Ruang Bicara Minda, UBD Library on 17th February 2025, with Hajah Martinah binti Haji Tamit, Director of JASTRe, as the Guest of Honour.
In her welcoming remarks at the ceremony, Dr Siti Salwa binti Abd Khalid, Deputy Director of IBER, highlighted that the workshop was a key component of the ASEAN Flyway Network Phase II, a regional initiative dedicated to the sustainable management of wetlands and the protection of migratory birds across the ASEAN region.
A new poster titled ‘Waterbirds of Brunei Darussalam’ was also launched during the ceremony, showcasing some of the more commonly found waterbirds out of the 118 species identified in the Sultanate. “The poster highlights Brunei Darussalam’s rich biodiversity and the crucial role of migratory birds in global conservation,” said Dr Siti Salwa.
Over the course of the five-day workshop, participants engaged in a mix of lectures and hands-on training sessions, including field exercises on waterbird identification, counting techniques, and bird handling. Participants also gained valuable insights into the ASEAN Flyway Network and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership, as well as the processes for nominating and managing flyway network sites. Field training sessions took place at the Wasan rice fields and the UBD’s Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre (KBFSC), where participants gained practical experience in real-world environments.
The completion of this workshop marks a significant milestone in strengthening Brunei’s involvement in regional conservation initiatives, ensuring the long-term sustainability of its wetland ecosystems and migratory bird populations. It also underscores IBER’s commitment to capacity building, knowledge-sharing, and fostering partnerships in biodiversity conservation. Through initiatives like this, IBER continues to contribute to both national and international sustainability goals, including Brunei’s Wawasan 2035 and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, the workshop aligns with UBD’s Sustainability Pillar 5, which focuses community engagement and the promotion of sustainable practices.