Welcome!

The German Embassy together with the NGO Blu Harapan and Stop Fish Bombing Malaysia cordially invites you to a conference in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), on 10^th December, with the title ‘Protecting Semporna’s Marine Environment from Plastic Pollution and Fish Bombing’. In the afternoon of the day before, 9^th December, there will be an excursion to Pulau Gaya just outside Kota Kinabalu to get an impression of the dimension of the problem of plastic pollution.

The linkage between conservation and biodiversity protection with the economy has become a major topic of public discussions in various fora in Semporna and the wider Coral Triangle. The aim of this conference is to achieve reconciliation between nature (planet), communities (people) and the economy (profit) – especially in the Malaysian waters of the Sulu Sea, off the coast of Semporna, the need for which has now become most urgent.

The conference shall convene stakeholders from politics, enterprises, social and environmental donors, civil society, NGOs, science, and media to deliberate the state of the environment in the Malaysian waters of the Sulu Sea, identify the root causes of two of its most worrying problems – plastic pollution and fish bombing – and deliberate what needs to be done to improve the serious environmental situation.

The aim is to bring together potential partners from all fields, government and communities, international and national agencies, companies and civil society, the local population and Indigenous people on-the-ground who have the best knowledge and traditional expertise of the waters, to jointly initiate concrete circular economy initiatives for collection and recycling of plastic and sustainable fishing and fish processing projects, involving the local and indigenous population so as to stop harmful activities to the marine environment and engage them in sustainable nature restoration and environment protection.

Confirm your attendance to the conference here by 2^nd December.

Conference Schedule

Monday, 9th December 2024
(Pre-conference day - 'Seeing is Believing')

	Arrival of participants
3:00pm	(optional) trip to Gaya Island/Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park to see the situation of the Bajau Laut community and the impact of plastic pollution outside Sabah’s capital, Kota Kinabalu (departing from Sabah Parks jetty, behind Hyatt hotel)
7:00pm	Casual pre-event 'get-together' (Hyatt Centric ON22)

Tuesday, 10th December 2024

8:00am	Guest arrival, registration, coffee and tea
8:55am	Introduction by Conference Emcee, Ben Uzair
9:00am	Welcome message Ambassador H.E. Peter Blomeyer, Ambassador of Germany to Malaysia
9:10am	Video Message of support from Timor-Leste President and Nobel Laureate, H.E. Dr. José Ramos-Horta
9:20am	Keynote speech on behalf of Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability of Malaysia, by Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) Group CEO, Ir. Ts. Shamsul Bahar Mohd Nor
9:30am	Conference officiation by Yang Berbahagia Datuk Seri Panglima Jeffery Kitingan, Deputy-Chief Minister and MAFFI Minister
9:40am	Two Videos, introduced by Simon Christopher, Blu Harapan (Blu Hope Chairman) Special Plastic message for Malaysia from British environmentalist, Sir David Attenborough (3 mins) Bajau Laut - Stateless (10 mins)
10:00am	Presentations on the following subjects: Plastic Solutions Blu Hope/Simon Christopher re. Semporna-Plastic Neutral/Fish-Bomb-Free MAREA/Roberto Benetello - Semporna Pilot Project for Plastic Collection: Community engagement, collection centers, aggregation and material recovery facility, logistics and recycling. Core project partners Need for integration of communities and stateless people Speakers: Mike Smith / Plazrok International Dinusha Surendre / Control Union/ OBP Credit Sustainable Fishing Essentials for introducing sustainable fishing and fish processing in Semporna waters Current state of catching fish and marine aquaculture in these waters. Preconditions for economically viable fishing, seaweed harvesting, fish processing. Speakers: Razak (Global Fund for Coral Reefs), Tuan Azhar Kassim (Director of Fisheries), Terence Lim (Stop Fish Bombing Malaysia), NN (representing SAFMLA) Social/Economic Issues Social and economic situation of the local population and the indigenous people. Legal and other preconditions for their integration into environmental protection programs. Contributions from Sabah & local government, NGOs Speakers: Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (Deputy CM Sabah) Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Shafie Apdal (leader of opposition and MP from Semporna) Tuan Alexander Liew (DO of Semporna) Raden Siti Ayu (NGO ISKUL Sama Dilaut Omadal)
12:30pm	Lunch break
2:00PM	Working groups on the three subjects mentioned above. Moderation: Plastic: Roberto Benetello Fishery: Razak Social: Anuar Ghani Note Taking/presenting Plastic: Mike Smith Fishery: Tuan Azhar Social: Raden Siti Ayu
3:30pm	Coffee Break and networking.
4:00pm	Presentation of the results of the working groups by presenters and further open discussion
6:30pm	Final dinner for all delegates.

Wednesday/Thursday, 11th/12th December 2024

Special ‘Seeing in Believing’ Semporna-Plastic Neutral/Fish-Bomb-Free trip to Semporna recce (with BH/SFB/MAFFI)

The Venue

Sabah International Conference Centre (SICC)

The Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) is the largest waterfront purpose-built convention, exhibition and entertainment facility in East Malaysia which aims to contribute to the Sabah state’s economic development by partnering with local community and integrating sustainable practices in our venue operations. SICC is owned by Innoprise Corporation Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Yayasan Sabah Group. The Yayasan Sabah Group is a Sabah State Government Statutory Body incorporated to provide educational opportunities and facilities to Malaysians in Sabah.

The Venue

Sabah International Conference Centre (SICC)

We are pleased to offer special room rates for conference attendees at the following hotels:

Hyatt Centric Hotel

Located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu, Hyatt Centric is approximately a 10-minute drive to the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) and around 15 minutes from Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

ROOM TYPE	RATE PER NIGHT (MYR)
ROOM TYPE	Single Occupancy	Double Occupancy
City View Room	538+	578+
Hill View Room	588+	628+
Sea View Room	668+	708+

Guest Room Rates inclusive of:

Rates are quoted in Ringgit Malaysia (MYR) and subject to 8% Service Tax and Tourism Tax of 00 per room per night [Malaysian citizens and permanent residents exempted]
Rates are inclusive of daily breakfast one person for single occupancy and two persons breakfasts for double occupancy at ON22 Restaurant.
Rates are 10% commissionable before service tax and tourism tax.
Inclusive of complimentary Hi-speed internet access in all rooms and suites
Check-in time is 3.00 pm, check-out time is 12.00 pm.

Kinabalu Daya Hotel

Conveniently situated within the city center, Kinabalu Daya Hotel is about 12 minutes from the SICC venue and a 15-minute drive from Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Guest Room Rates inclusive of:

Rates are quoted in Ringgit Malaysia (MYR) and subject to 8% Service Tax and Tourism Tax of RM10.00 per room per night [Malaysian citizens and permanent residents exempted]
Rates are NOT inclusive of daily breakfast. An additional RM 20.00 nett per person is required for breakfast.
Inclusive of complimentary Hi-speed internet access in all rooms and suites
Check-in time is 2.00 pm, check-out time is 12.00 pm.
Breakfast is complimentary for infants up to 5 years old.
Breakfast charges for children 6 years to 11 years, consumption charge on base of the rate given.
Adult is 12 years and above.