The National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR, President Yoo Ho) under the Ministry of Environment announced that it will hold an opening ceremony for the biological specimen room in Puerto Princesa, Palawan* Province, Philippines, on September 25.

* Palawan consists of more than 1,700 islands, has a relatively low population density, with 50% of its primary forests preserved, and is rich in biodiversity, home to over 200 endemic species.

In June 2018, the NIBR signed a “Memorandum of Understanding on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use” with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and since then has been conducting biodiversity-related research in Palawan on plants, insects, amphibians and reptiles, fungi, and more.

The opening of the biological specimen room in Palawan, Philippines, is based on the “Agreement on the Establishment of a Biological Specimen Room in the Philippines” signed in March of this year (2025) between the NIBR and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Province, to lay the foundation for local biodiversity conservation and further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. 

The NIBR will provide internationally standardized sealed specimen storage facilities, along with equipment such as dehumidifiers and air conditioners to maintain temperature and humidity, in the site and building prepared by the Philippine side.

At the opening ceremony, representatives from four institutions - the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Puerto Princesa City of Palawan, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, and the University of the Philippines Los Banos - as well as local residents will attend to express their interest in and appreciation for the opening of the biological specimen room. 

In addition, the NIBR will donate about 300 copies of a biodiversity field guide containing information on 298 species of birds, amphibians and reptiles, fish, insects, plants, and fungi from the Palawan region, jointly researched with the Philippines, to the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The donated guides will later be used for Palawan biodiversity research by Philippine government agencies, research institutions, and universities.

Meanwhile, through the “Biodiversity Capacity-Building Project” being carried out with the Philippines since 2019, the NIBR has so far trained eight local researchers, including government officials involved in biodiversity policy and university personnel. 

They are expected to serve as a bridge in continuing cooperation between the two countries, including joint biodiversity research in the Philippines and the operation of the biological specimen room. 

President Yoo Ho stated, “In order to conserve global biodiversity and implement the UN’s ‘Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)*,’ we must strengthen international cooperation and support for biodiversity.” She added, “We will further expand joint biodiversity research with other Southeast Asian countries as well.”

* Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework action goals: financial support for biodiversity conservation in developing countries (over USD 30 billion by 2030), biodiversity capacity building, promotion of technology transfer, and scientific and technological cooperation.

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