KUCHING: Director of Forests Sarawak Datu Hamden Mohammad received a courtesy visit from President of the Japan-Malaysia Association (JMA) Takakazu Ogawa, together with members of the JMA delegation at the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) Headquarters on Monday.

According to FDS, the visit forms part of the JMA delegation’s official programme in Kuching from 4 to 7 April, which includes site visits to project areas under the Forest Landscape Restoration initiatives in Sarawak.

“The programme reflects the longstanding and productive collaboration between JMA and FDS in advancing sustainable forest management and restoration efforts since 1995.

“Over the course of this three-decade partnership, the collaboration has successfully contributed to the planting of more than one million trees between 1995 and 2025, representing a significant milestone in supporting forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience in Sarawak,” FDS said in a statement.

The courtesy call provided a platform for both parties to reaffirm their commitment towards strengthening bilateral cooperation, as well as to exchange views on ongoing and future initiatives in forest conservation, restoration, and sustainable forest management.

In the statement, FDS expressed its sincere appreciation to JMA for its continued support and valuable contributions towards the state’s forest landscape restoration efforts.

Also in attendance were FDS Head of Restoration and Industrial Forest Division Zarina Shebli, FDS senior officers and JMA Coordinator for Sarawak Kazue Sakai. -UKASnews