Sabah Aims to Host 2031 IFLA World Congress.


KOTA KINABALU: Sabah plans to bid for the right to host the International Federation of Landscape Architecture (IFLA) World Congress in 2031, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gundalam. To further this aim, Dr Joachim, who is also Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister, mentioned in a statement today that his ministry and the Institute of Landscape Architects Malaysia (ILAM) planned to join the congress at the IFLA 2025 in France next year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Joachim expressed confidence that Sabah, with its stunning natural resources, can showcase its beauty to the world and, thus, benefit the state’s tourism sector and its economy. In another development, Dr Joachim noted that the Sabah Landscape Architecture Awards, held yesterday, is a strategic initiative designed to recognise and promote sustainable landscape practices.

He stated that the initiatives aligned with the objectives outlined in the Sabah State Landscape Policy Action Plan, particularly under Core Five:
Cultivating Love for the Landscape. ‘By celebrating outstanding landscape architecture that adheres to sustainable principles, we aim to inspire both professionals and the public to cultivate a deeper appreciation and stewardship for Sabah’s landscapes,’ he added. He also remarked that exceptional landscape architecture goes beyond aesthetic appeal, embodying sustainability, resilience, and a deep respect for nature.