Conference Likely To See Emergence Of Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network
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"It is not easy to obtain the geopark status from Unesco. After such status is given, Unesco will make five-yearly checks before renewing the recognition," says Prof Dr Mohd Shafeea Leman. Pix: Anuar Isman |
By Jumiati Rosly
LANGKAWI, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- An Asia-Pacific geoparks network is likely to be an outcome of the three-day Regional Conference on Asia-Pacific Geoparks and Business Dialogue 2007 beginning here tomorrow which will see the participation of countries of the region interested in conserving their respective geoparks.
Chairman of the conference organising committee Prof Dr Mohd Shafeea Leman said the network would serve as the "voice" for the region to discuss the future of geoparks in the various countries.
"Europe has long had the European Geoparks Network which has enabled geoscientists from that region to engage in discussions amongst themselves.
"It is hoped that the conference will result in the formation of the Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network under the auspices of Unesco's Global Geoparks Network," he told Bernama, here.
Mohd Shafeea, who is deputy director of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Institute for Environment and Development, said currently only three countries -- China, Iran and Malaysia -- in Asia Pacific had areas accorded geopark status by Unesco.
While China had 18 regions recognised as geoparks, Iran and Malaysia had only one area each accorded such status, he said.
Langkawi is the world's 52nd geopark and the first in Southeast Asia after having been listed as such by Unesco on June 1 last year. The Langkawi geopark comprises 99 islands.
"It is not easy to obtain the geopark status from Unesco. After such status is given, Unesco will make five-yearly checks before renewing the recognition," he said.
The regional conference beginning tomorrow at the Mahsuri International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIEC) here will gather 240 geoscientists and other experts from 15 countries to exchange ideas on the management and conservation of geoparks.
The conference, organised by the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) and UKM with the support of Unesco, carries the theme "Networking Between National Geoparks".
-- BERNAMA
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