Kuala lumpur: The Sarawak government and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to strengthen collaboration in natural capital management, human capital development, and global policy innovation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) stated that the signing ceremony, held at the university in London, was witnessed by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. The MoU outlines collaboration in areas such as executive education for Sarawak's civil service, scholarships for Sarawak students, joint research, and embedding sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) leadership into policymaking.

Abang Johari expressed that the MoU serves as a framework that combines the state's natural and human capital, leveraging Sarawak's strengths with LSE's expertise to create knowledge, policies, and solutions that matter both locally and globally. He emphasized the significance of Sarawak's natural capital, noting that over 60 per cent of the land remains under forest cover, positioning Sarawak as a substantial carbon sink. However, he stressed that conserving these natural assets requires international cooperation and recognition of their global value.

The signing represents a pivotal step in positioning Sarawak as a regional leader in the green economy and a contributor to global policy knowledge. It also offers new educational and research opportunities for Sarawakians with one of the world's leading universities.