Malaysia A Top Choice To Lead Asia-Pacific Geoparks Network
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Datuk Dr Ibrahim Komoo being interviewed by Bernama after delivering his keynote address at the inaugural Regional Conference on Asia-Pacific Geoparks and Business Dialogue 2007 in Langkawi. Pix: Anuar Isman |
By Jumiati Rosly
LANGKAWI, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is a hot favourite to lead the Asia-Pacific geoparks network that will be set up during the inaugural Regional Conference on Asia-Pacific Geoparks and Business Dialogue 2007.
Unesco Global Geopark Network (GGN) Bureau committee member Datuk Dr Ibrahim Komoo said that although Malaysia has only one geopark, it had a strong base in geology with the support of a solid group of researchers and experts.
"In terms of knowledge, we are actually more advanced compared to China which has 18 geoparks.
"This is also among the reasons why Unesco wanted the inaugural conference to be held here," he told Bernama after delivering a keynote address at the conference held at the Mahsuri International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIEC) here today.
Dr Ibrahim, who is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovations) of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), said that a step further would be to set up an Asia-Pacific Geoheritage and Geoparks Network as the Asia-Pacific Geopark Network only has a membership of three countries.
"We have to remember that currently in the Asia-Pacific region, there are only three countries - China, Iran and Malaysia - which have areas accorded geopark status by Unesco.
"So instead of having networking only with the geopark countries, the Asia- Pacific can have a network of countries interested in geoheritage development. We can exchange knowledge with countries looking forward to attaining geopark status for specific areas in them," he said.
He said Asia-Pacific countries had different levels of awareness and understanding where geoheritage and geopark development is concerned.
He added that in establishing the Asia-Pacific Geoheritage and Geoparks Network, the network should have strategic direction in creating a national entity for geoheritage development, introduce an innovative and flexible approach for geoheritage conservation and development among the member countries.
As a member of Unesco's GGN Bureau, Ibrahim with other five counterparts from Europe and one from China sit together once a year to endorse and make assessments for establishment of new geoparks around the world.
The three-day regional conference that started today has gathered some 240 geoscientists and other experts from 15 countries to exchange ideas on the management and conservation of geoparks. It is organised by the Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) and UKM with the support of Unesco and carries the theme "Networking Between National Geoparks".
-- BERNAMA
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