One Alliance.
One Mission.
Protecting Our Mangroves.

The GMA Malaysia Chapter brings together policymakers, scientists, NGOs, and communities to accelerate the conservation and restoration of our nation's vital blue carbon ecosystems.

WHY IT MATTERS

Malaysia's Mangroves Are Our Natural Treasure

Malaysia is home to some of the world's most biodiverse mangrove ecosystems, serving as the biological and economic heartbeat of our coastlines.

586k
Hectares Protected
4x
More Carbon Storage
4,600
km of Coastline
1000s
Livelihoods Supported

Our Climate Shield

They act as a natural fortress, protecting coastal communities from erosion, storm surges, and rising sea levels—vital for a nation with over 4,600 km of coastline.

The Blue Carbon Bank

Malaysian mangroves store up to 3-4x more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests, making them a critical asset in our national climate strategy.

Food Security & Livelihoods

As the nursery for commercial fish and shellfish, they sustain the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen and support Malaysia's seafood industry.

586,548 Hectares of Mangroves

Malaysia is home to one of the largest mangrove areas in Southeast Asia.

Sabah 58.6%
Sarawak 21.7%
Peninsular 19.7%
Map of Mangroves Cover in Malaysia 2023

Hamdan (2024). Status of Mangroves in Malaysia.

OUR APPROACH

What GMA Malaysia Chapter Does

We are the catalyst for collaborative action, bridging the gap between policy and practice.

Connecting People

We bring everyone to the table—from state agencies to local NGOs—to align our goals, share crucial data, and work together rather than in silos.

Restoring Right

We advocate for restoration that works. We focus on fixing the underlying environmental conditions first, ensuring mangroves survive and thrive naturally without wasteful replanting.

Driving Change

We turn on-the-ground experience into national influence, using real-world data to help shape policies that meet Malaysia's climate goals.

OUR JOURNEY

Key Programs & Initiatives

Our timeline of collaborative efforts and milestones in protecting Malaysia's mangroves.

1
21 May 2025

Pop-up Booth at World Wood Day UPM 2025

We engaged with students and forestry professionals at Universiti Putra Malaysia during World Wood Day 2025, raising awareness about the critical role of mangroves beyond timber.

Pop-up Booth at World Wood Day UPM 2025 photo 1
Pop-up Booth at World Wood Day UPM 2025 photo 2
Pop-up Booth at World Wood Day UPM 2025 photo 3
2
10 June 2025

Introductory Meeting with Department of Fisheries (DOF)

GMA Malaysia Chapter met with the Department of Fisheries to align our conservation goals with national fisheries management, focusing on sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

Introductory Meeting with Department of Fisheries (DOF) photo 1
Introductory Meeting with Department of Fisheries (DOF) photo 2
Introductory Meeting with Department of Fisheries (DOF) photo 3
3
15 August 2025

Meeting with Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)

We engaged with FRIM to exchange technical knowledge on advanced mangrove restoration, including wave breakers and breakwater systems to stabilize coastlines.

Meeting with Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) photo 1
Meeting with Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) photo 2
4
25 October 2025

Pulau Setindan Fieldwork

Our team conducted comprehensive site assessments of vital seagrass meadows, focusing on ground-truthing remote sensing data to map seagrass distribution.

5
23 December 2025

Quarterly Board Meeting

The GMA Malaysia Chapter leadership gathered to review progress and set strategic priorities, ensuring all member organizations are aligned in our mission.

Quarterly Board Meeting photo 1
Quarterly Board Meeting photo 2
MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Our Impact

Through collaboration and science-driven action, we are making a lasting difference for Malaysia's coastal ecosystems.

5+
Partners
10+
Programs
Potential

Building a National Network

Establishing a central platform that connects government agencies, NGOs, research bodies, and local communities to foster dialogue and reduce fragmentation.

Promoting Knowledge Exchange

Facilitating the sharing of technical expertise, data, and best practices between scientific institutions and local practitioners.

Advocating for Best Practices

Championing the shift towards science-based methodologies and hydrological rehabilitation for sustainable ecosystem health.

Connecting Local to Global

Serving as the bridge between Malaysian initiatives and the global conservation community, aligning national efforts with international goals.

ABOUT US

Who We Are

The Global Mangrove Alliance – Malaysia Chapter (GMA-MC) is the Malaysian national platform for the Global Mangrove Alliance, a worldwide coalition dedicated to a clear mission.

Our Mission

Halting mangrove loss, doubling the protection of existing forests, and restoring half of all lost mangroves.

Bridging Policy & Practice

We connect government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, and local communities.

Science-Driven Restoration

We advocate for hydrological rehabilitation and long-term ecosystem health.

Our Board Members

GMA Malaysia Chapter Board Members
RESOURCES

Our Tools & Handbooks

Explore industry standard tools and critical publications provided by the Global Mangrove Alliance to support conservation and restoration.

GMA Handbooks

Essential guides and case studies for practitioners.

Scientific Publications

Access our latest research and scientific publications on mangrove conservation.

View More

Are you a researcher or contributor? You can submit your scientific papers or reports directly to our database.

Submit Publication

Get in Touch

Ready to join the alliance? Reach out to us today.

Join the Alliance

Whether you're a government agency, research institution, NGO, or community organization, there's a place for you in our mission to protect Malaysia's mangroves.

Contact Us Today

or email us at:
globalmangrovealliancemalaysia@gmail.com