Indigenous Peoples’ Voices on Biodiversity: Ms. Anne Lasimbang – Malaysia

Ms. Anne Lasimbang, an indigenous Kadazan woman from Sabah, Malaysia, is the Executive Director at PACOS Trust. PACOS Trust is a member organization of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP).

As part of the celebration of International Day for Biodiversity, Ms. Lasimbang underscores the importance of knowledge and ideas of Indigenous Women in relation to biodiversity.

She highlights that monoculture and development have affected biodiversity engendering Indigenous Peoples to assert their rights. Ms. Lasimbang emphasizes that Indigenous Peoples in Malaysia have a deep-rooted cultural and spiritual connection with their land, territories, and resources.

Therefore, she recommends that the government and other relevant actors acknowledge and promote the rights and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples while promoting biodiversity.