By WU VUIDE
RUTLAND, United Kingdom: Sabah marked a milestone at the Global Bird Fair 2025 with the formalisation of a strategic partnership between the Sabah Bird Watchers Association (SBWA) and the World Pheasant Association (WPA).
The memorandum of understanding, signed following SBWA’s inaugural participation in last year’s event, paves the way for scientific collaboration, bird conservation programmes, and the hosting of international birding events in Sabah.
The agreement was signed between WPA Head of Science Committee Geoffrey Davison and Sabah Bird Watchers Association Ronald Pudin.
Witnessed by WPA Vice President John Corder, WPA Admin Barbara Ingman and Sabah Tourism Board Deputy Chairman Datuk Tan Kok Liang.
This year’s event held from July 11-13 at Lyndon Top Caravan Park in Rutland, saw a strong Sabah delegation led by Tan, alongside STB officers and nature tourism advocates.
Representing Sabah under the STB umbrella were Tabin Wildlife Resort, Borneo Trails, Borneo Rainforest Lodge, Borneo Eco Tours, and 1 Stop Borneo.
They were joined by members of SBWA and the Penampang Tourism Association, reinforcing Sabah’s drive to position itself as a leading birdwatching destination in Southeast Asia.
Tan said the MoU is a result of Sabah’s active presence at global platforms such as the Global Bird Fair and reflects growing international recognition of its birding potential.
“This partnership underscores Sabah’s firm commitment to biodiversity conservation while enhancing its standing as a nature-based tourism hub.
“We are proud to support SBWA’s expanding global role and look forward to long-term collaboration with WPA, which will benefit our environment and rural communities,” he said.
He also acknowledged renowned naturalist Quentin Phillipps for facilitating the link between SBWA and WPA, and thanked WPA Vice President John Corder, who visited Sabah earlier this year as part of ongoing engagement efforts.
The Global Bird Fair draws thousands of birdwatchers, naturalists, and tourism professionals from around the world. Last year, it recorded an estimated 10,000 visitors over three days. The UK alone has around six million registered birdwatchers, representing a promising niche market for Sabah.
Royal Brunei Airlines is joining STB at Stand S38 in the Swallow Marquee, symbolising a strategic partnership to boost flight connectivity for birdwatchers from the UK and beyond. The collaboration aims to ease access to Sabah’s rainforests and bird-rich habitats.
STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit said birdwatching remains one of Sabah’s best-kept secrets, and participation in the Global Bird Fair is a step towards tapping its full potential.
“With over 680 bird species, many of them endemic, Sabah offers birders a rare experience in one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots.
“Our partnership with Royal Brunei Airlines is a strategic move to open Sabah’s skies to birders from the UK, Europe and beyond. It will help more eco-travellers discover our majestic landscapes, indigenous cultures and extraordinary birdlife.
“Sabah is ready. Our partners are committed, our communities are engaged, and our birds are waiting,” he said.
Sabah’s presence at the Global Bird Fair 2025 reinforces its commitment to developing niche tourism, promoting sustainable travel, and establishing itself as a premier birding destination at the heart of Borneo.
